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By
ETHAN CUHULINN
In this American remake of the high-grossing Japanese 1998 film "Ringu," Naomi Watts stars as a journalist who discovers a videotape with a bizarre
history: Everyone who's ever seen it has died within seven days. Is she next?
The idea has a lot of resonance since we've all been exposed to urban legends we think silly, but freak us out in any case. Haven't you gotten a chain
e-mail, for instance, telling you to keep forwarding the blasted thing or else something awful will happen to you? Did you dismiss it instantly, did
you ponder it, or -- against you better judgment -- did you acquiesce and forwarded it to a few unsuspecting friends?
Naturally, since the main character is a journalist she's curious about the videotape story. She's also skeptical. It's a lethal combination in a
suspense film. Plus she has a young child, and there's a semi-romantic subplot to make sure that all sorts of complications ensue.
The film oozes dread. It is full of hauntingly beautiful images. But blessedly, there's little gore, mostly a few scenes of decomposed or decomposing
bodies. But dread does its work. I was seriously spooked, felt deliciously on edge throughout and eventually I was lulled into thinking the film was
over when...well, it's de rigueur now for suspense films to contain at least one twist.
On hindsight though the plot doesn't make much sense. It's as if there are scenes missing, or even whole subplots. And there's never an adequate
explanation on how a video tape has been infected with the supernatural ability to make telephones ring and people to shrivel up and die. To give you
any more specific examples would not be fair since it will just ruin it for you if you decide to watch it.
While the special features are sparse, inspired by the film itself, the DVD navigation makes for a creepy experience -- with menu items like "Don't
Watch This" (essentially deleted and alternate scenes). Other special features include a trailer for "Ringu," as well as clips for "8 Mile" and "Catch
Me If You Can," and you can also watch the killer video in its entirety (you'll have to look for it but it's not hard to find).
A word on "Ringu," which has also been released on DVD by DreamWorks: If you enjoy "The Ring" you must watch "Ringu." Based on a novel by Koji Suzuki,
it was so popular in Japan that it was followed by several sequels and a TV series. The basic story is the same in both films but the execution is
decidedly different. "Ringu" is less ambitious and in many ways a simpler film. It is less concerned with providing a rationale for what's happening
and instead piles on the scares. Technically, it is not as refined as "The Ring." It was after all a lower budget film and the image is somewhat
grainy -- especially compared to "The Ring's" sparkling transfer. The sound however is excellent on both DVDs, and "Ringu" is even slighter when it
comes to extra features. It sports a few trailers for Universal and DreamWorks DVD releases and that's about it. Both films are presented in
widescreen. "The Ring" is available in full-frame too, but who cares? |
