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Reviews
Kuntilanak 2 (2007)
Rocks Big Time!!!
Call me a big fan of Kuntilanak ... I don't care! I'm so tired of watching stupid Indonesian horrors with no story, no interesting characters, and no quality! But this one, not only surpasses other Indonesian horrors, but also becomes a rare case of being better than the first "Kuntilanak"!
The opening scene is a genius way to remind us of what "Kuntilanak" is all about! Three stupid kids - in a short, quick, but believable dynamic - play hide-and-seek inside the old abandoned haunted house - the main set of "Kuntilanak". By killing these little kids, "Kuntilanak 2" quickly tells the audience in the first five minutes that the roller coaster ride that follows won't give mercy to anybody!
Our girl Samantha - beautiful Julie Estelle! - is now pulled to cross over to her dark side - Anakin Skywalker comes to mind! The Mangkoedjiwo Sect supports this bad idea, while the lame ex-boyfriend Agung - wooden Evan Sanders!!! - tries to fight back. How can a Pinnochio stand against a bunch of crazy maniacs graduated from Slytherin???
Anyway, this is where "Kuntilanak 2" is flawed!!! It wants to tell a love story!!! Stop doing that, please! Haven't you seen "Superman Returns" and "Spider-Man 3"? Let's just forget the love story, and let the battle rolls! This movie is also the first gore flick in today's Indonesian movie scene! Great! It's cool that the story revolves around The Mangkoedjiwo Sect. This kind of evil sect is found everywhere in Indonesia.
Compared to the first one, the movie gives more chills, thrills, and action. The story moves way forward to unpredictable places. As a big fan of the first "Kuntilanak", I have made my own versions of the sequel, and I thought I was well-prepared to watch "Kuntilanak 2". The fact is, my mind was blown-away with the story and the character developments! Rizal Mantovani goes crazy! Good crazy!
I can't wait for the final installment!!! BRING IT ON!
Kuntilanak (2006)
An Atmosphere To Bring Home
Among the new Indonesian horror movies during the last two years, "Kuntilanak" a.k.a. "The Chanting" may have been the only one that pays real attention to story-telling and strong characterization, and of course, a proper visual treatment.
The story is simple and formulaic. Rather than giving away cheap thrills, "Kuntilanak" is more about a creepy atmosphere. It starts rather slow, and the building up is a little too step-by-step. Nevertheless, the makers seem to really understand what kind of horror they are making - a B-grade horror, that is, judging from the typical shower scene, the screaming babes, and the too-hunky guy with robotic gesture.
Oh, and Julie Estelle rocks big time! Man, she's so creepy! The chant is original and freaking scary. I so don't want to listen to it in the dark. Though lacking of jump-off-your-seat scenes, "Kuntilanak" has succeeded in making me and my friends peeping through our hands throughout the movie. There are only 2 or 3 points where we went screaming, but all worth our noisiests! I came out of the theater shivering, plus craving for a sequel. Please, please, please!