Dark Water Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

not the best of asian horror

I am a big fan of asian horror, that being said this is just and average scare or two after watching and hour or ten minutes of build up. Nice ending to the film though. If you want asain horror choose the eye, the ring or the grudge.

Another fabulous Holywood remake of Japanese horror movie

I watched this movie because I received 2 free screening preview tickets in UGC Cinema Boldon. I had no idea what movie it was while I came in to the cinema; however, I couldn't sit relaxing when it rolled on because it was so thrilling from the first two second to the end. No wonder when I realised that it was another Holywood version of Japanese horror movie I saw after The Ring (Ringu), The Ring II and The Grudge (Ju-on). Japanese does really know how to thrill us and Americans know how to sell it worldwide. Worth to watch.

More a Greyish Puddle

The original Japanese Version of this movie is based on a 40 page short story by Koji Suzuki, the author of the Ring series. Though I would say ‘loosely based’ since much of the movie is not in the book, the ending, is added on, the characters are fleshed out, with quite a few more added. However, I did like the Japanese movie; (the near-the-end elevator bit apart) it was a creepy, atmospheric movie with moments that were genuinely scary. When I reviewed it I gave it full stars and much praise, I also said the Americans were about to butcher it and I was right.

The US version is based on the Japanese Movie rather than the short story, as there are the same extra bits that are not in the original story at all. But while the Japanese movie is atmospheric and (mostly) subtle, the US version is bland and is devoid of the atmosphere of the original. Where the Japanese version trickles eeriness, the US version gushes and over states the point.

As usual the US version makes the story easy to follow; treating us (as they do) like children who can’t follow any plot that is not completely spelled out to us. There is nothing left to the imagination, which is, of course, what a good horror movie needs, we should be sucked in and drift away with the movie so that we care about the characters; I did with the original, but I didn’t with this remake; frankly I kept looking at my watch.

I am willing to accept that I was watching the film from the bias that I already know the story and that I am automatically going to compare it to the book and the other movie. But even so, I went to see the film wanting to relive the edgy isolation of the original and was unable to, because it simply was not there.

In its favour the cast are very good and I don’t believe it was their performances that are to blame for this effort of spooklessness.

Dark Water is a subtle ghost story with a sort of tragic sting in the tail. In the original, a little drip here, a slight hint of floating black hair there, an impression of a wet footprint where there is nobody, all go towards a creepy experience. The overflowing toilets, belching taps and the torrents of black water of this remake find the ghosts struggling to stay afloat.

Dark Water: More like Dull Water

If you are going to compare this film to The Ring, don't bother!

This film is more psychological than shocking horror.

I was waiting for something to happen, there were so many holes in this film, I am surprised that Dahlia's apartment did not flood completely!

See this film if you wish, but don't be suprised if you feel disappointed at the rolling credits.

I wish I watched the Japanese version first!

Drip...drip...drip...

First things first, I'm a big fan of the original movie. As a remake and for fans like me, the Hollywood remake is a complete failure.

Not to say that it's a disaster. The story is solid, the direction is good and Jennifer Connolly is superb. The supporting cast are pretty darn good aswell. It's fair to say that if you haven't seen the original and you go in to this movie thinking drama rather than horror then you may come away pleasently surprised.

It's not a bad movie. It is a bad horror movie. All the great moments of the original have ended up on the cutting room floor and any hint of horror is certainly an after thought.

Enjoyable and annoying, 'Dark Water' is a curious beast, just don't get me started on the final act....

Not a patch on the original!

When I watched the Japanese version if this film I was gripped! It was so terrifying! So when I discovered that there was an American version out I recommened it to my friends that we should go and watch it. However, we were dissappointed. I didn't jump once throughout the film. It wasn't at all scary and the ending wasn't as good either. I would definately recommend the original version instead. It has subtitles but after a few minutes you become so engrossed in the film that you don't even notice them. Don't watch this rubbish!

Average Horror - Creepy Kid!

'The Ring' terrified me, so I thought this would be just as good, but unfortunately I was a little disappointed. There were some creepy moments, and the evil ghost child was quite scary, but it didn't live up to expectations.

Don't waste your time.

I am probably one of the few who enjoyed the US version of The Ring more than the Japanese version. Knowing that Dark Water came from the same stable I looked forward to it with relish. How wrong could I have been? This movie is dull, tedious, and about as terrifying as the Magic Roundabout. Don't waste your time.

LACLUSTRE

I havent seen the original version, so cannot make a comparison and am judging this film solely on its own merits. I found it very dull and boring, it took too long to set a predictable storeyline, there was no action, horror or suspense. The basic storyline is a good one, although typical of other films, unfortunately this film does not do an awful lot with it. This film may have come from the same stable as 'the ring' but it certainly is NOT in the same league.

A disappointment after all the hype.

Disappointing

I thought this one was going to be really good but it was very slow all the way through.

I was waiting for it to get started and then the credits came up which i found really disappointing.

I felt it was a real waste of time watching and that it was a waste of a good evening when i could have watched something better.