Grudge 3 (2009)

4/10

This is the direct to video third part of the "Grudge" series, based on Japan's "Ju-on" series. The original "Grudge" showed how the 'rage' could spread by people entering the house or interacting with people who did. The idea was slightly far-farfetched, but OK. The second movie took it a step further, moving the 'rage' into Chicago. This movie more or less just said "who cares, we are going to kill whoever we want".

Directed by Toby Wilkins ("Splinter"). Matthew Knight ("Skinwalkers") quickly reprises his role as Jake, the kid sole survivor from the second movie. Shimba Tsuchiya is the new Toshio. Shawnee Smith of "Saw" fame plays Dr. Sullivan. Kayako, is now played by Aiko Horiuchi. Some new characters inlude Naoko (Emi Ikehata), Kayako's sister, Max the landlord played by Gil McKinney, Max's little sis Rose, amd Max's older sis Lisa. Got all that?

Jake is now in a mental institution after being the sole survivor of many people gone missing, and is currently freaking out to Doc Sullivan. He keeps saying how 'she' is going to get me, the Doc keeps reassuring him that 'it's in your head', she leaves, he dies. Cut to the opening credits which are spliced with scenes from the first two movies. We now shuttle over to Japan where Naoko reads an article about some bizarre deaths in Chicago. Somehow she knows it is her dead sister's spirit, but she knows how to stop the carnage. We'll see how that works out. See SPOILERS.

Naoko moves into the apartment building of weird death and meets everyone else. Apparently Rose can see Toshio, who for some reason does not harm her. (Maybe the Mrs. Potato Head toy was enough to make him happy?) Kayako bugs Naoki but doesn't kill her. Tosho bugs Lisa, but doesn't kill her. A painter (Marina Sirtis of 'Star Trek' fame) in the building paints a picture of Rose and gets killed. Maybe Kayako is a severe art critic?

Things get even more convoluted from here on out. Lisa gets some info from Naoko about Kayako, then finds out more info from the Doc about Jake. More people die, someone gets possessed (what!?), and blood must be consumed.

Ok, this movie went way off the rails from the previous films. At this point the film makers' are just adding and making up stuff to add to the legend. Sure, it makes it more unpredictable, but we may as well be dealing with a random serial killer now.

The film transfer is fine, the background audio is nicely eerie. Again, a problem with the audio cues/FX. Graphic FX were nice, and Kayoko and Toshio are still darn creepy. Plot tends to wander. There are good eerie sequences and some good shock scares.

Worth a rent, not worth a buy unless you are a big "Grudge" fan. Would not work for a party.

*** SPOILERS ***

Nope, Rose gets possessed. I think. Whatever, this was a mess.

*** END SPOILERS ***