Excellent for the most part...

Rating: 7/10 (19 September 2003)

First, let me say that I have NOT seen the japanese original! You don't have to rely on guts and gore to make a good horror movie. "The Others" is one example, this is another. For most part, this is one truly creepy and scary horror movie. Naomi Watts is excellent in her (a bit awkward) part as a single mother. Let's hope she can lay her hands on some more major parts! It is a visually stunning movie too. "Feardotcom" tried to achieve a similar look and managed for the most part, but otherwise that movie led nowhere and was all over the place! Here the visuals serve a purpose. To set a specific mood. The best scenes are the ones on the island! They are genuinely disturbing in a very quiet and understated way. *******MINOR SPOILER HERE******* And even though the "surprise" ending after the ending is totally predictable, it is still chilling. *******END OF MINOR SPOILER***** There are only two things I am not satisfied with. First, the little boy who plays the son. He is not a bad actor but he displays some truly bizarre behaviour. Or rather, he displays no concern at all when all type of strange happenings are occurring all around him. He seems to be the "Sixth sense"-boy crossed with "The Omen"-boy. And finally, the plot is really no big shakes. Once you get the hang of things, there is really no need for any more explainations. However, the film makers insists on explaining and explaining and explaining in too many flashbacks. But otherwise a classy shocker!!!