Film Review – Uzumaki
Title: Uzumaki
Director: Higuchinsky
Year: 2000
Genre: Horror
Format Reviewed: DVD
Uzumaki is quite an old horror movie in the context of J-horror that has made it’s way to North America. In fact, it was in theaters years before Ringu, Ju-on, or even Kairo came out. So you can’t very easily say Uzumaki rips off other J-horror movies or their styles. As a cult film, Uzumaki is quite unique among Japanese horror and is somewhat refreshing to watch for those sick of scary little kids.
Although it doesn’t necessarily follow J-horror conventions, Uzumaki has a style similar to Tetsuya Nakashima’s seen in Memories of Matsuko: off-the-wall close-ups and poor acting in some parts. This was my biggest complaint of the movie. Uzumaki certainly isn’t going for the straight horror, but rather a weird and almost quirky feeling. Often times gruesome, but still not too heavy.
The horror aspect of Uzumaki is fine and it’s plot is interesting enough to hold your attention. If not, then snail people will. Let’s just say that some images in Uzumaki may very well be never duplicated again. That’s probably the biggest reason to watch this movie. It’s so strange that you’ll never forget it, although it’s probably best suited for hardcore fans of asian horror.
Rating: 2 /5
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