On DVD: Apartment 1303

 

 

Directed By Ataru Oikawa

Starring Eriko Hatsune, Yuka Itaya

 

Let me start off by saying I tend to prefer foreign horror films.  For a long time the Italians could do no wrong for me, then the innovation moved into Japan, now I'm finding interesting films in Korea and France.  Knowing this you have to expect I'd be sympathetic to Apartment 1303 but being sympathetic isn't quite enough.

 

The Series

 

In Japan movies like Ju-On (The Grudge), Dark Water, Ringu (The Ring), and The Eye created a formula for horror films that not only took hold in Japan but it grabbed fans here in the U.S. too.  Basically these Japanese filmmakers revitalized the classic ghost story by modernizing it and making it really scary.  Unfortunately though when there's something that's successful there's always an eventual flood of me too's.  The me too's have saturated the market these days making the whole Japanese ghost story, you know the creepy little girl with long black hair hanging in her face, has become a cliché.  The time is right for some innovative director to come in and do something really interesting with this genre to truly revitalize it again.  Unfortunately Apartment 1303 isn't that film.

 

Apartment 1303 is essentially a me too but it does have a few nice moments that might make it worth checking out for fans of the Japanese ghost story.  Basically a girl commits suicide by leaping off the balcony of an apartment and her sister comes to the apartment to try and figure out what truly happened to her sister.  Quickly she discovers that many deaths have taken place in the apartment and the spirits of some of the victims may still be around.

 

There are some creepy moments in this film and there are some really predictable ones too.  The acting is pretty solid and the directing is no frills and to the point, which is appreciated because often these Japanese horror films can tent to meander a bit.  The film isn't deep.  It has a job to do and it does it.  There are many better films in this sub genre of horror if you're new to it but if you're a fan then this one might at least be worth a rent.  Real fans will recognize Eriko Hatsune from another great film called Uzimaki (Spiral).

 

6/10

 

The Video

 

This anamorphic widescreen is a bit soft and often low on detail.  The lighting isn't conducive to high detail in a lower budget DVD transfer and you can tell.  The film is mostly watchable but a few darker scenes are a little hard on the eyes.

 

6/10

 

The Audio

 

The DTS Surround 5.1 is the best choice of the three that are made available on the disc and it sounds fine.  Often sound plays an important part in these types of films and what we get here sounds good.  Dialogue, score, and effects are all well mixed and clean and the balance is fine too.  Don't expect any mind blowing immersion here but the film does sound fine.

 

7.5/10

 

The Packaging and Bonus Features

 

The single disc release comes packaged in a standard amaray case inside a slipcover.  The artwork does a great job of selling the film, maybe too good a job actually because the art makes the film look more edgy than it truly is.

 

As far as extras we just get some photos and a trailer.  This is a bit frustrating becasue Tartan so often does a great job with their extras.  Nothing here to enhance the viewing experience.

 

2/10

  

Overall (Not an Average) 5/10

The Review

The Film 6/10

The Video 6/10

The Audio 7.5/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features 2/10

Overall (Not an Average) 5/10

 

-Stephen Lackey