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.

Saw 'Temple', being fond of adventure/horror regardless of budget (even if not my favourite genre) and being intrigued somewhat by the idea. Being behind on my film watching and reviewing, with a long to watch and review list that keeps getting longer, it took me a while to get round to reviewing it.Unfortunately, despite not reading any reviews purposefully before watching, am going to have to agree with all the reviewers who hated 'Temple'. There is very little to like here, next to no redeeming qualities at all, and there is not much to add to what has already been said so well. Never judge a film without seeing the whole thing and wanted to give 'Temple', so gave it a fair chance.'Temple' has only some quite stylish photography and beautiful scenery going for it, hence why it's not gotten the lowest possible score from me.However, 'Temple's' biggest problem is the story, or shall we say lack of it. It is paper thin, basically a short film stretched out to the point of interminability. One can mistake it understandably for not having a plot at all, or at least a discernible one. It takes forever to get going, and everything in the first half is uninteresting and too often adds nothing or serves no point. Second half is not much better, the un-scary and thoroughly predictable scares/horror elements are further undone by excessively loud and obvious sound effects and too dark lighting.It is only in the last 10-15 minutes where anything resembling a story appears. Unfortunately 'Temple' completely fails to execute even that right. The whole film is horrendously paced, with much of it being endlessly dull, the ending has the opposite problem of being incredibly rushed. It's also incredibly chaotic and confused, too many things left hanging in the air or vague. Direction is going through the motions like, while the script is childish, leaden and awkward. The characters are basically unsubtle and not particularly tasteful stereotypes and 'Temple' goes well overboard on the purposeful unlikeability that it is impossible to root for them. The acting is poor, with Natalia Warner being atrocious. Overall, really bad, compensated solely by the photography and the scenery with the story destroying any hopes of the film being halfway decent. 2/10 Bethany Cox

The worst part of this movie for me was the fact that there were some really dark scenes where I couldn't actually see what was happening. Other than that, I thought it was pretty good. I loved the Japanese landscapes and thought the acting was pretty good. I liked the twist with the little boy, too. I wish we knew what happened with Christopher, but I think that adds to the mystery of the movie. We know about as much as the investigators know by the end of the movie, giving it a perfect 'folklore' feel.

That was an hour of my life that I can't get back. Excellent photography, but that doesn't make up for the confused and confusing plot (assuming there even was one). For me, there's nothing like a good horror story to keep me up at night. Unfortunately, this was nothing like a good horror story. Give it a miss.