THE RING - Bitesize Review # 9

The Ring ***
USA/Japan: Gore Verbinski, 2002.
Format: Original Theatrical Release

Note: My bitesize review was originally published by the Kent Messenger Newspaper Group and refers to the theatrical run of the film.

It is the ultimate video nasty. A mysterious tape that once watched causes the telephone to ring and a voice announces you only have seven days to live.

Dismissed as an urban myth until four teenagers die at the same time, on the same day in different locations. All are reported to have watched the videotape and all are found with their faces contorted in terror.

Disturbed at these circumstances journalist Rachel (Naomi Watts) decides to investigate. Unable to fight her curiosity she watches the short piece of film footage. It depicts a nightmarish but seemingly meaningless array of images. However, just as foretold the telephone rings and the week deferred death sentence is pronounced.

It is as though the footage has encoded in its celluloid, the prolific curse of an otherworldly force of evil. Rachel is plagued by hallucinations of a little girl. Soon both her son Aidan (David Dorfman) and ex-boyfriend Noah (Martin Henderson) become exposed to the videotape’s insidious power.

The Ring is essentially a Hollywood remake of Hideo Nakata’s critically acclaimed original. Arguably the most frightening horror film in recent memory ‘Ringu’ became a phenomenal success on its 1998 release in Japan.

This film with its bigger budget polish and computer effects is invariably going to suffer comparison with the original. Surprisingly, The Ring is a far more accomplished remake than you would expect. And does try to capture the mood and ambience of its source.

There are a few plot differences in this version, making the film feel longer and less intense than the lean ‘Ringu’. However, the premise is so chilling that it remains deeply unsettling.