The Grudge 2 *1/2
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Amber Tamblyn, Edison Chen, Arielle Kebbel, Jennifer Beals
Director: Takashi Shimizu
Running Length: 1:35
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Aubrey *Tamblyn) travels to Japan to bring her sister Karen (Gellar) home after the events of the previous film. While there, she gets drawn into the mystery of the house and, along with a reporter (Chen), goes on a quest to find out the truth behind the ghost Kayoko’s anger. Also in Japan, three girls enter the house on a dare, and bring a bit of the grudge out with them. Finally, in America, a distraught girl returns home to an apartment complex, and strange things begin to happen.

All of these stories are related, and come together somewhat unsatisfyingly in this unnecessary sequel to 2004’s “The Grudge”. The story is weak, and the acting is nothing impressive. The ending almost certainly guarantees another sequel, this time more close to home. Anything creepy from the previews in tame when seen in context, and that means that “The Grudge 2” fails as a horror film. Stay away from this stinker.