The Lockerby Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Studio
Credits Grade: 8 Legend says using a certain coin locker in Shibuya will grant your romantic wishes. Instead a nightmare is unleashed that cannot be stopped. One by one it hunts down those who use the locker. It appears that this evil thing is somehow connected to a discarded baby of one girl who used the locker, but there is no hope of forgiveness, only fear and death. And it becomes clear very soon that this is not about hate or vengence, it is merely a nightmarish evil.This DVD is actually a special double feature and contains both The Locker and The Locker 2. With both on one disc we get the whole story as the two are interwoven a bit with more than just the locker and its frightful inhabitant linking them. The movies are only presented in the subbed format which I often prefer — for Japanese horror though it's almost necessary to get the full effect of the fear in their voices and the unusual sounds some characters and things make. It would lose some of what makes it scary to dub it into English (or any language). The acting is good but does seem to run the gamut from B-movie type acting (possibly due to the stereotypical scenes involving hormone driven teens and secluded areas) to some excellent "wordless" acting as characters start to lose their minds and fall into the fear-riddled grip of the locker. The first movie is the initial premise, introducing the story of the locker and playing out the mother and abandoned child scenario. The second uses a friend of the mother character and a medical doctor who are trying to solve the mystery of these deaths and their connection to the locker which means they may die trying. Similar to Japanese movies like Ju-On (The Grudge) and Rungu (The Ring), the evil is given a terrifying visage in a very young, feminine, and unearthly/sick-pale form hidden behind tangled dark hair with creepy and unnerving sounds that moves both slowly and quickly simultaneously in a jerking manner. The effect definitely makes one shiver, jump, and grip their armrests (or friend's arm) in terror. If you enjoy Japanese horror films then The Locker must make it onto your list. While the "urban legend" premise sounds a bit humorous it is definitely a frightful tale that you should only watch in the dark if you dare. Written: July 29, 2006
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