In Gore Verbinski's remake of Hideo Nakata's chilling horror film, a group of teenagers all die suddenly and inexplicably exactly one week after watching a mysterious videotape at a remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest. Journalist Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts), a relative of one of the victims, begins an investigation that leads .. Read more
| Starring | Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, Brian Cox |
|---|---|
| Director | Gore Verbinski |
| Genres | Horror |
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In Gore Verbinski's remake of Hideo Nakata's chilling horror film, a group of teenagers all die suddenly and inexplicably exactly one week after watching a mysterious videotape at a remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest. Journalist Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts), a relative of one of the victims, begins an investigation that leads to a mountain resort where she discovers the tape, which contains footage of random and surreal images. After viewing the tape, Rachel receives a phone call stating that she, too, has seven days left to live. As the clock ticks away, Rachel enlists the help of her former boyfriend Noah (Martin Henderson), who is the father of her startlingly serious young son Aidan (David Dorfman). Assisted by the intuitive illustrations of Aidan and the initially reluctant research of Noah, Rachel attempts to discover the significance of the cryptic tape before her time is up.
The original RING, based on a novel by Koji Suzuki, was a cult phenomenon in Japan, spawning a sequel, a prequel, and other spin-offs. Although Verbinski's adaptation shares much in common with its Japanese counterpart, the director distinctly alters numerous plot elements and, in grandiose Hollywood style, employs a much larger budget. The beautiful cinematography is one of the more telling enhancements, along with added screen time for other characters, including the morose Richard Morgan (Brian Cox). However, the key to this RING is Watts, who shines through the creepy atmosphere in a role that follows her success in MULHOLLAND DRIVE. This would appear to be no coincidence, since the film comes across like a David Lynch version of an X-FILES episode that presents shockingly scary moments and makes the most out of the unknown.
| Starring | Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, Brian Cox |
|---|---|
| Director | Gore Verbinski |
| Studio | DREAMWORKS |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 50 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | 100 Horror Films |
| Genres | Horror |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 04 Aug 2003 Production year: 2002 |
| Format | DVD |
The words Hollywood remake may fill film fans with dread — foreign language movies ruined by a refit for the multiplex crowd — but Mousehunt director Gore Verbinski's version of Hideo Nakata's Japanese horror classic is a surprisingly good effort that retains much of the unnerving, creepy atmosphere of the original. An unlabelled videotape is in circulation, bringing death after seven days to anyone who watches it. One of its victims is the niece of journalist Naomi Watts, who decides to uncover the source of the tape and find out whether this curse is real, a quest that's given added urgency after Watts chooses to view the video herself. Verbinski makes a couple of inventive additions — a horse going berserk on a car ferry is a brilliantly surreal innovation — and although the spine-chilling terror of the original is muted by the overuse of CGI, this is still a worthy substitute if you're not in the mood for subtitles.
A remake of the Japanese movie Ringu (qv) that at least produced a slight other-wordly frisson in its story of a vengeful ghost; translated to an American setting, it seems no more than feeble.
Whether you enjoy this film depends on whether you can suspend belief far enough to enjoy this type of fantasy. It did not work for me, although I can understand people liking it.
The suspense is well built up.
I have seen the Japanese version as well as this remake, but I found too many loose ends in the storyline to make it interesting.
If you have not seen it, I would say it is worth giving it a go. You may enjoy it. Even though it was not for me, I thought it was quite well produced.
I hear the original Japanese version is the best but not having seen it I went into this with wide open eyes.
To be honest I found it slightly unsettling and, with my Hammer Horror and Amicus leanings, I was wary it would be some blood everywhere fest.
It wasn't and I liked it. Not loved it but I would definately watch it again.
The end was chilling which gave it an extra star - it's let down was the reliance on old technology even though it is set in modern times.
Honestly, who would copy a videotape in 2002 (or whenever). The weird crossover throwback technology in modern times odd stuff aside this one is a definate YES