Review:

Kairo

aka Pulse

Country: Japan
Year: 2001
Genres: Life, Depression, Suicide, Horror

Music [5*****]

Incredible music. Despite watching this in standard stereo 2.0, the music still sets a better mood than just about every other scary movie to date. Reminds me of many japanese classics. Very unsettling at points, and silent at other times.

Meaning [5*****]

I spend at least a half our on imdb, reading and explaining my thoughts on the meaning of the film. It goes that deep. And it was deeply moving for me. Just as Ozu's Tokyo Story is as good or better than Kubrik's 2001: A Space Odyssey (two epics of masters), Kairo is as good or better than The Shining. It's that good.

Characters [4****]

A very solid performance. Nothing wrong, and everything done as right at it can be. The variety of characters are nice, and it explains the story that much better. Though, it's interesting that the people seem to hold an anonyminity. They also seem very real-to-life. It kind of makes you take on the role of one of the characters, as a viewer. Also a very good thing.

Overall [5*****]

I will say, though: this movie is more appreciated for those who.. well.. have my tastes. I like a movie that will go crazy (plot-wise), and get abstract. And that's what happens towards the end of this one. But the climactic middle of the film is very nicely placed, and the events around it are slowly paced so that you can enjoy and think about them. Truly an excellent film, maybe the best scary one of all time. But it's not very scary, IMO. I'll have to see the rest of Kiyoshi Kurosawa's films to be sure he hasn't surpassed himself already. The only downfall is kind of cheesy effects at one or two parts.. maybe due to low funding, or being kind of a new effect? Either way, it's totally forgiven.

See my analysis on imdb here: ***Caution: MAJOR SPOILERS*** IMDB Analysis ***Caution: MAJOR SPOILERS***