Genre films, and more importantly for the purposes of this review, J-Horror films as they're informally referred to and formally classified as (a much broader genre that many seem to realise), a boom since the mid-90's appearance of 'Scream' and the subsequent films produced in Japan, as I have come to understand such films, are based on long-held traditions...

In the West, where access to such films comes largely via DVD, and because of all which that possibly implies, such films are often seen as being derivative of the film which cued most peoples' interest into place - yes, Hideo Nakata's 'Ring' from the late 90's - or potentially some other similar film, maybe Shimizu's own original 'Ju-On' movie(s) which were heavily bootlegged when first discovered by Western audiences. We hopefully know then, that beyond the idea of genre cinema, that J-Horror itself is both lazily exploited, lazily appreciated, and lazily understood in various manners on a very regular basis, to the point of being a cliche in itself. Unavoidable, yet also necessary, to mention that this film intentionally presses some of the key buttons of the so-called genre (or references the traditions held long before films in the style began) but also that it would be nice to be able to view it without it being considered as such, simultaneously, as it offers a great more originality in how it's put together than might at first be apparent.

'Reincarnation', the third part of an informal series from Japan called J-Horror Theatre, follows previous installments 'Infection' and 'Premonition' (already available on DVD), and precedes the upcoming 'Retribution' from Kiyoshi Kurosawa - due early next year on its' native shores - which will be the fourth out of the six films we expect in total. Not necessary then, to see the other films, each story is told in isolation it seems, at least I sense no connection having skipped the previous two - my eye is now firmly on this film and 'Retribution' - out of unavoidable prejudice, considering how much stands out easily against a relative small noise of J-Horror films. The point here is, that although Genre, although referencing other films and traditions, here's a film that deserves open-minded substantial appreciation. Shimizu is no lazy filmmaker, his previous effort (the low-budget 'Marebito' with Shinya Tsukamoto in the lead role) being one of the most impressive films of recent times, another contrasting take on what Horror can constitute or contain, and if anything it also serves as a confirmation (when you consider this film, a much larger budget being involved and also made in the same year) that Shimizu knows exactly what he is doing and can turn out gems with regularity.

The basis for the story, about a film within the film 'Reincarnation', Directed by fictional Horror Director Matsumura, and called 'Memory', and the casting then subsequent shooting of the film with budding actress Sugiura playing one of the key characters, is skirting closely to bringing the film into the realms of worst-case-scenario cliches. Initially, the set-up of Sugiura beginning to suffer visions of a small girl carrying a doll, hints at an increasing sense of Sugiura being haunted, then to her thoughts on reincarnation as it is discussed and apparently experienced in visions and memories. That's the central idea, and in that sense the film does exactly what it says on the tin, but the addition of revelation that the film in which she has been cast is based upon a series of eleven murders which took place in 1970, at the Ono Kanko Hotel - and at which the self same girl was a central part of the story - for which Sugiura's increasing realisation is that she has some memories relating to the place, even though she wasn't even born at the time, allow for the blend between possible past, possible present, possible fact, and possible fiction.

Clearly, with a whole heap more money thrown at the 'Reincarnation', not to paper the cracks but to ultimately facilitate rising the production above the deft manipulation of the basics of film making and give it a freshness - low budgets are well exploited in J-Horror usually - and allows a great sense of disorientation as Shimizu very convincingly blends, morphs and drifts between unsettling past, increasingly unnerving present, strangely realistic film-set present. It's absolutely key to making more of the film, the sets here are huge, the continuity itself a feat to behold as the pristine past (the middle of a killing spree though it is) and the abandoned, downtrodden, rotting present, are shifted between moment by moment. There's a huge amount of subtle CGI effects, make-up morphing, scenery alterations which make for a tale which drags the viewer to question the possibilities of reincarnation. Whether reincarnation is wholly possible or at all positive, and if Sugiura is who she believes herself to be, if we as viewers of a film featuring such horrors as eleven murders are any better than those recreating it or initially perpetrating it (the murderer carries camera to shoot his crimes), all these and more are intertwined deftly - especially in the climax.

So, preconceptions aside, there's a film here that doesn't explain too well on paper - at least there's a chance it seems to fit which people's worst fears about such films, when in fact it raises the bar - much more subtle and less obvious than it may initially seem from reading this, and one which has a very sharp, original tale to tell, is chock-full of ideas and has some classic moments to offer - as well as one hell of a twist in its' tale. Yes, some will not want to see beyond the cliches because it would make them look as though they had been duped by the marketing again, but this is genre cinema and it is tradition, and it certainly is fresh, original, intelligent, and extremely well-crafted - it has its' knowing nods and its' a sign of signaling this is a journey beyond them as much as anything else. If you don't experience shivers, cold sweats, hairs standing on end, shocks, empathy, or a small tear in the eye, then I don't know where peoples thinking has taken them - I think there are unintentionally lost causes because of the misrepresentation of such films, they don't all necessarily deserve lumping in together - this film knows what it is, knows that it's different and is confidently individual too. Astonishing.

The R2 UK DVD which I watched, from Tartan, looks vibrant and perfect for the most part, although slight staggering was obvious in a couple of panning shots, the colors and image quality if generally all there. The Disc is barebones, only presenting one original trailer and a selection of trailers for other films from the 'Asian Extreme' range. Hardly much cheaper than an R2 Japan DVD, for 'Reincarnation' that came just a week early but without English Subtitles, and likely to be more expensive (just about) than the inevitable R1 USA DVD which isn't yet announced, for Shimizu fans or those wanting a fresh, original J-Horror experience, this is the choice you have right now...