I've watched a fair amount of J-horror, and I think this movie falls short even by that standard. I'm not afraid of or offended by stories that portray Americans/Westerners as foolish, rude or rash. Generally, when we're in a foreign place, we act like we're at home and don't bother to try learn or follow local ways.My problem with the story is that it telegraphed itself continuously. It's obvious, when Christopher finds the book that Seito is connected to it and the temple. It's even more obvious when Seito appears at points that make it easier for the Americans to get there. There are lots of stories in any culture that don't need to be suspenseful or challenging to be good, and where it doesn't matter that you already know everything that's going to happen. Where the focus is on how well the story is told.I don't think this is one of those stories. I think that the low ratings aren't about Westerners not knowing that Japanese movies develop and pace differently. I'm used to at least being left with something to think about, some point about life that the movie wanted to call attention to. Temple failed even at that.Despite the high ratings from some viewers, I do not think this is the movie the film's producers had in mind. If I had to guess, I'd guess that *this* is the movie that they salvaged with editing when they realized they'd spent all their money and didn't have enough working pieces to make a successful ghost story."Okay, we get it, Christopher is Seito or Seito is a ghost or Bruce Willis really has been dead the whole time". This was not subtly told, and we're never given context for this particular group of people getting sucked into their fate. So ultimately at the end, we don't really care anymore. Not because the characters are unlikeable. We don't care because we've seen the same story told much more effectively. Though not so beautifully, that much is certain. It's worth the time spent for the cinematography and settings, and for the generally spooky atmosphere. Not much else.

I had initially expected somewhat more from this horror movie, and I must admit that I was rather disappointed with the overall result of what the movie turned out to be.The story told in "Temple" was pretty straight forward, although it didn't offer anything to the horror genre that hasn't already been done or seen in other horror movies.The movie was surprisingly devoid of anything even remotely scary or impressive, and it just lulled itself into a tranquil pace that made it lose all momentum and drive. And it didn't help much that the characters were one-dimensional drones that served no purpose. This reflected badly on the actors and actresses, as they had surprisingly little to work with. Logan Huffman actually managed to perform somewhat adequately and keep the movie afloat.If you enjoy a good horror movie, then this joined American and Japanese effort is not the best of choices to put your time and money.

.....and not in a good way. What an awful movie. Awful boring for starters. I have no idea what I just watched. Isn't a horror movie supposed to be scary? Shouldn't it have a few moments that make you jump? This had none of that. I have no idea how I made it through this one. You've been warned.

This movie had great potentials. it looks like a typical Japanese thriller which is great, and cinematography is good but that's where the fun ends. the acting was dreadful. Kate was so out of character and flat. Chris was okaying , so is the boyfriend. the story though lost it's closure. and no this is not the typical way of Japanese thriller. they leave a mystery but don't simply cut the story right when you think something is going to finally happen. the end is terrible and confusing. you don't know who killed who, why did Chris attacked the translator and did he escape or what happened to him. is there a ghost or is it only Chris. what happened to the children. was the monk bad or good. why would Kate decide to look for her bf in a mine while he was going to town. more and more questions that we needed to know but the film makers were so tired maybe and decided to end it prematurally. forget about all those fake 10&9 stars rate. there is no end and that's really terrible.