Takashi Shimizu brings a new visual flare to "The Shock Labyrinth"

by Chris MaGee

At the beginning of the month it was reported that "Ju-on" director Takashi Shimizu was going to be helming Japanese cinema's first 3D horror feature. Titled "The Shock Labyrinth" the film will follow a group of young men and women who must uncover the mystery of what happened to their good friend Yuki who returns after 10 years of of being missing. Upon her return she succumbs to a mystery illness, one severe enough that her friends rush her to the hospital, but instead of ending up there they end up in "The Shock Labyrinth", a huge haunted house based in part, and actually filmed in Senritsu Meikyu haunted house attraction at the Fuji-Q Highland amusement park, the largest haunted house, according to The Guinness Book of World Records, on Earth.

It seems like the perfect project for Shimizu who is one of the last remaining stalwarts of the now dwindling J-Horror movement from earlier this decade. His dank, shadowy aesthetic brought to life in his "Ju-on" films would be a perfect fit for this kind of project, right? Well, think again. Not that Shimizu's not a good fit, he is, but that he's bringing the same visual style to "The Shock Corridor". A slew of new promotional stills have popped up at both Jason Gray's blog and over at Quiet Earth and they feature a new and impressive look from Shimizu. Gone are the muted tones of "Ju-on" and in is a vibrant, crisp colour palette that accentuates the scares in the film. I have to say I'm impressed. I honestly wasn't that excited when I first read the news of "Thge Shock Corridor", but now I have to say I'm curious to see it either in 3D or not, just to see what visual innovations Shimizu and his crew come up with.

To see what I mean follow the links above to check out star Yuya Yagira and the rest of the cast in the truly haunting "Shock Labyrinth".