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Grade
Content Grade:
D+
Sound Grade:
B
Extras Grade:
B+
Picture Grade:
A-
Specs
Aspect Ratio:
1.85:1
Sound Options and Formats: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Disc Length: 89 Minutes
Review
“Shutter” is another pointless remake.
The plot: On their honeymoon trip in Japan, a newlywed couple (Ben and Jane) begin to see a ghostly girl in photographs and in person. Who is this deceased girl and what does she want? Does this ghost have a connection to Ben’s shady past?
You’d think studios would stop remaking beloved foreign horror films after the “Dark Water” and “The Eye” remakes tanked, but alas no. Now, viewers are subjected to yet another pointless remake about a vengeful ghost via “Shutter” (which also happened to bomb in theaters).
Like most of the remakes of foreign horror classics, the writers and directors attempt to make the story accessible to U.S. audiences, but that never works (with the exception of “The Ring”). All of the semi-interesting character moments and creepy scenes from the original “Shutter” are more or less absent here. Instead, we get a bored looking cast (“Transformers” hottie Rachael Taylor and former “Dawson’s Creek” star Joshua Jackson) walking through their roles trying to act scared. It doesn’t help that nothing in this entire film is remotely scary as you can see what will happen miles away.
In conclusion, avoid this tripe and see the original “Shutter” instead.
Picture and Sound
The 1.85:1 widescreen picture is grainy in spots, but the night scenes and the Tokyo locals look stunning in 1080P.
The 5.1 DTS HD Lossless audio track is passable at best. The dialogue and score never fully come to life (not even during the supposed scary moments).
Extras
* “A History Of Spirit Photography” (5:00).
* “A Ghost In The Lens” is an 8 minute featurette on Yurei spirits.
* A 4 minute how to “Create Your Own Phantom Photo” online.
* “The Hunt For The Haunt: Tools And Tips For Ghost Hunting” (2:00).
* “A Cultural Divide: Shooting In Japan”- A 9 ½ minute featurette in which the cast and crew share their experiences about shooting in another country.
* “Fox Movie Channel Presents In Character With Joshua Jackson” (2:00).
* “Japanese Spirit Photography Videos” is a 2 part 17 minute program that appears to be some sort of “Blair Witch” esque show.
* 15 alternate and deleted scenes including an alternate ending.
* “The Director: Masayuki Ochiai” is a 9 ½ minute featurette in which the director talks about the story, the original film, and the changes he made for the remake.
* Digital Copy ad and Fox trailers.
* “A Conversation With Luke Dawson”- The screenwriter talks about the differences between American and J-Horror and talks about writing the remake. (5:30).
* Commentary by Luke Dawson, Rachael Taylor and Alex Sundell. The trio talk about how they became attached to the project, alternate story ideas, shooting in Japan, etc.
