Reel DVD
R4 DVD
The
Japanese Film Kairo (Pulse) formed the inspiration for the US adaptation also
called Pulse which was well received in 2006. Pulse 2 continues the story and
offers a nightmarish journey into a strange and frightening possible future for
humanity. The apocalypse, it seems, does not come from global warming or
warfare, nor even from religious extremism and terrorism but from the world of
the dead.
It
seems that when people die they do not end up in a beatific paradise or a torturous
hell, but a dimension of emptiness and nothingness, a realm of “hungry ghosts”
(traditional to much eastern spirituality). They live in a perpetual state of desire
wishing to return to the realm of the living. Due to a technological disaster a
gate has been opened between this world and the next and our world is invaded
by the dead. The portals for their
intrusion can be any form of technology - computers, televisions, LCD screens, PDAS
and cell phones. As soon as the living
are inflected they begin to experience intense mental suffering and slowing
become covered by what looks like blood poisoning. If they do not commit suicide
(and most do using whatever means available), they disintegrate into clouds of
black dust and then become part of the world of the dead.
Pulse
II is an unusual film; it has a dreamlike quality, filled with fleeting images
and a moody ambient soundtrack. The
original story is not retold, but inferred as we move through the film. It
opens as Michelle finds her apartment covered in dark dust and her daughter
Justine is missing. At first it seems the daughter has been taken by her father
or worse has been killed. Michelle cannot remember what occurred and seems
confused and disoriented. As the story unfolds we realize it is not Justine who
is dead but Michelle and she seems to have vengeance on her mind.
Stephen,
Michelle’s ex husband has taken Justine to the safety of his cabin in the woods
in some sort of gated community gated by trigger happy locals. Soon his truly gormless
city living girlfriend arrives. As they settle for the night, his computer turns
on and before he knows what has happened Michelle has travelled through the
wireless network, invaded his cabin and killed his good for nothing girlfriend.
(Well, that is not any great loss really). Stephen and Justine flee into the
night.
As
his girlfriend slowly becomes infected, one of the “guardians” of the community
pays her a visit. Finding her naked and inviting, he decides to enjoy the ride
and takes advantage of her “hospitality” as she slowly decays into black goo,
quite a scene to say the least !
Stephen
and Justine now must try and find somewhere safe to survive far beyond any
technology (including the reach of cell phones) with Michelle very much on
their trail and only a roll of “red tape” for protection, any error could mean disaster for both of
them.
Pulse
2 is a very effective and haunting film; it creates a sense of eeriness
throughout with creative filming and the ghosts looking like video or TV
images, which is, of course, significant since they are transmitting themselves
via various forms of technology. There are some truly powerful moments and the
use of special effects is innovative rather than overdone. Violence and gore is
kept to a minimum but when it is used, it is very effective. The ending is
unexpected and seems to be setting up for a sequel.
This review will appear in Volume 2:1
(2009) of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.
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