The Japanese film industry has built up a strong reputation for its chilling horror movies, and many of them have been remade by Hollywood studios whose philosophy goes something like: "Why create something new when so much good stuff has already been made!?" The Ring, The Grudge, and Darkwater are just three examples of Japanese horror films that have been adapted for that Western English speaking market who would otherwise be unable to enjoy the originals. Reading subtitles can be tough.
Reincarnation has the same foreboding atmosphere as the previously mentioned movies: it's a slow-burning, thought-provoking, piece of supernatural horror. The storyline centres around a young actress who wins an audition to star in a movie based on a real-life hotel massacre. Her role is of the last person to be murdered - a little girl - who it turns out has been spooking her for the last few days. When shooting begins, she starts experiencing the murders as if they are actually happening. Do you follow!?
Anyone familiar to supernatural mysteries such as The Sixth Sense (not mentioning Takashi Shimizu's previous movies) will be familiar with some of the plot devices, and fully prepared to expect the unexpected. Still, the revelation at the end is a good one and is not simply there to say: 'LOOK
we FOOLED you!'. Though I'm sure it will.
Those hoping for an unremitting orgy of blood, guts and violence will be left disappointed. Nonetheless, there are still a few scenes here not suited to the squeamish (well, a child DOES get stabbed). This film is more about subtle scares and the power of suggestion, which is usually one of the most effective ways of cranking up the tension, but here they are guilty of over-using the ploy in a predictable way. For example, how many times does a character need to be unsettled by something they've seen out of the corner of their eye? What really does make this film work is the combination of very good storytelling, and a direction that lends it a very dark and intense feel which never lets go. The characters are mostly just an extension of the general mood and atmosphere of the movie. Under Shimizu's guidance it is the supernatural that takes centre stage.
Reincarnation seems longer than its 95 minutes running time, but it's worth sticking with it for a satisfying conclusion that you may want to re-live again.
Mark: 7/10
Mel Dixon
