Created at the same time as the animated series, this film adapts Yukito Ayatsuji's novel in its own way and with the success that the animated version had, it was only a matter of time before this film was released shortly after to amaze fans. It is difficult not to think of the animated series because it has managed to develop the plot and characters quite a bit while respecting the vision of the original work. Being a 12-episode series, it was able to develop and expand the plot of the novel, offering a satisfactory adaptation. This film presents the difficulties that exist when wanting to adapt a novel to a feature film. Depending on how extensive or complex a novel is, it is not always easy to be able to summarize all of that in a 2-hour film.
This version of Another respects the original story and tells it as is without detaching itself from the essence. It is not a bad adaptation at all, but what it does is simplify the plot of the novel in order to adapt it to the 2-hour duration. The good thing about this is that this film explains in a more comprehensive way the role of the person chosen to be an outcast. Here it is better understood that the role of the outcast is to maintain a balance so that the curse does not claim so many lives. Here it is also clearly shown the role of the deceased hidden among the living as vehicles for the original entity. The animated version did not explain it and that could cause confusion in those who have not read the original material. The simplest and vaguest explanation could have been that the curse could have been appeased with a sacrifice, but that would not fit with what the cassette recording was intended to explain. In this film we see the original entity manifesting itself as an electro plasma and that helps to better understand the outcome. For those who have not read the original work, this film helps to understand the story of Another in a much easier way.
What fails in this film is the fact that they wanted to give it a substance very similar to that of Ringu. It's not badly directed and has a couple of good moments of suspense and drama, but in appearance it doesn't have the vision of the original work. The animated series is better praised because it knew how to materialize all the essential elements of the original work and narrate an extensive plot well told and with well developed characters. The movie, by simplifying the plot, didn't feel very developed. Those who saw the animated series or read the original work will understand the movie easily, but many things were left aside. Most of the secondary characters were left in the background, giving relevance only to Koichi, Mizaki, Chibiki and Reiko. The actors who play these characters are perhaps the best of the cast, especially Ai Hashimoto who gave a great performance in Confessions (2010).
What may be disappointing are the death scenes. The animated series had shocking deaths and other moments that made it surprising. This movie is much softer and feels like a Japanese version of Final Destination. Most of the deaths are not shocking and some are more funny than scary. It is quite noticeable that the movie did not have the necessary resources to make it a more shocking horror movie. The suspense and psychological thriller are also quite simplified and unfortunately, the movie does not have an atmosphere that is at the level of the animated version. At least they gave it an interesting ending that could have led to adaptations of the sequels of the novel, but it was not enough. It also has a very good song in the end credits.
The Another movie did not end up being a memorable adaptation of the novel or the animated version and that ended up becoming another movie of the bunch. Nothing else is remembered by fans of the animated series and nothing else would be recommended for those who cannot understand the complex plot of the anime, although there are things missing that will be easily noticed. My final rating for this movie is 6/10.
