Pulse

Pulse (2001)

This movie is infuriating, but at the same time sort of enjoyable. The story starts off very slowly with a couple of different groups of students getting pulled into some kind of ghost plotline involving a website that promises to show them ghosts. Somehow one by one they get picked off after entering a room that is “forbidden” and sealed up with red tape. In the first half of the movie the victims are killing themselves (hanging, jumping off buildings). But then suddenly in the middle of the movie we are introduced to the concept that there is only so much room for the dead and it might be full, which means everyone will become immortal. From here on out when someone encounters a ghost they get really depressed until they turn into a stain on the wall. Nope not kidding… From here on out we go from a slightly creepy ghost story to a shrinking group of survivors that seem to be running away from their own depression. I think that is what is was anyway.

In spite of my plot synopsis not sounding that enthusiastic I think Pulse is an okay movie. After a first hour that I found really boring the movie does pick up a bit. Seriously though the first hour is a miserable montage of tech support, installing dial up Internet service, and the development of characters that are done away with so quickly that you have to ask yourself what he point was. But when the movie shifts gears and focuses on the few survivors in an increasingly empty world I started to dig it more. To be honest I’m not even entirely sure why I do. The pacing does pick up and the story is much easier to follow once we start to focus on a couple of the characters (Kawashima and Kudo). Plus there is just something that I dig about the tone when following their attempts to escape. Even though they aren’t sure what they are trying to escape from. I also thought that all the shadows on the floors and walls were very creepy and effective. Especially when you realize that in the context of the movie that these are all people that just gave up and disappeared. Finally I wanted to mention the ending. Without spoiling anything I have to say that I really liked it and appreciated how they left it a bit vague, while at the same time being powerful and sad. If this had been the movie from the very beginning I think I would have liked it much more.

The camera work in Pulse is very interesting. The filmmakers do a good job in creating a nice atmosphere with odd camera angles and interesting lighting choices. In fact for a good half hour or so of the movie that is pretty much all the movie had to offer. Special effects wise there isn’t much going on. You have a few neat looking ghost effects, but they are all digital and noting new. I also liked the look of the characters as they basically turn to ash, but again nothing new.

If you get the chance to rent Pulse or pick it up cheaply then you might want to give it a try, especially if you dig Asian ghost stories. I say this in spite of the early pacing issues because I think the payoff is interesting enough to make it worth you while. But if you are new to this kind of film or aren’t a fan I’d recommend steering clear of Pulse. If you want to check this one out and can find it I recommend the double feature DVD that Magnolia Home Entertainment has put out. You get Pulse as well as another interesting movie called Sick Nurses.

2 ½ out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer