Ringu (1998)
Also known as "Ring"
one of the most effective horror flicks I can ever recall seeing
Starring: Nanako Matsushima, Miki Nakatani, Hiroyuki Sanada, Yuko Takeuchi, Hitomi Sato, Yoichi Numata, Yutaka Matsushige, Katsumi Muramatsu, Rikiya Otaka, Masako, Daisuke Ban, Kiyoshi Risho, Yuurei Yanagi, Yoko Oshima, Kiriko Shimizu
Director: Hideo Nakata
Running Time: 96 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 15
Horror, Mystery, Thriller
On DVD Japanese finger-trembler 'Ring' is often described as vastly superior to 'The Ring', its remade American version from 2002. Personally, I'd have to call it a dead heat between the pair of them, with both movies inflicting the frighteners in different ways, despite basically sticking to the same lines.
Hideo Nakata's original, it's name changed here from 'Ringu' (presumably to avoid confusion with the penguin), introduces the technology-driven terror of a video even more horrifying than 'Police Academy: Mission to Moscow' on VHS. Whoever watches the vid (we're left to assume it hasn't been released yet on DVD) receives a creepy phonecall telling them they'll snuff it in seven day's time. Someone really should think about getting those calls traced by the phone company.
One such viewer is journalist Reiko (Nanako Matsushima), who soon sets about recruiting ex-hubby Ryuji (Hiroyuki Sanada) in attempting to track down the source of the spine-tingling tape before her deadline expires - literally. To make matters worse, she's got an ankle-biter called Yoichi (Rikiya Otaka) who also decides to watch the deadly video. The little fool! Couldn't he just stick to 'Barney' like all the other kids?
Though completely gore-free and also containing very few real shocks, this is quite possibly as scary a film as you'll see. That's thanks mainly to some convincing acting, fantastic application of dark atmospherics, and a sparingly-used but hugely effective soundtrack. Those who watch Gore Verbinski's remake first will be disappointed the horse scene - one of the most memorable features of the US version - isn't in this one. Verbinski's version also has a more interesting background story and doesn't rely as heavily on everyone apparently having ESP in order to move logically from one stage to the next.
Regardless, this is one of the most effective horror flicks I can ever recall seeing, with a fantastically foreboding ending (note the similarities between the final shot in this and in The Terminator) which leaves it looming large in the memory long after you've pushed the stop button.
DVD Extras: The full version of that pesky videotape, a full film critique by Mark Kermode, cast and crew filmographies, a stills gallery and some back-slapping press quotes.
It's Got: A ghostly apparition in desperate need of a manicure.
It Needs: More prominent subtitles - the white text is often virtually impossible to read against the lighter backgrounds.
Alternatives: Ring 2, The Ring, Poltergeist
Summary: A marvellously made horror that's guaranteed to give you the willies. Watch it with the phone off the hook!
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 21th November 2003
External Links
Ringu at the IMDB
Comments8 Comments |
| it is scarey |
| Comment by:- jessica | | 16 July 2004 | ip: logged |
| I think that this is better than the remake. For the simple reason that this has fantastic atmosphere, way more that the remake. It also I think had much better acting in Too. The reason for the horses in the remake is simply for the shot where it kicks the door or whatever and it dents, this is because the director is a fan of Dark Water. Which is a film that was made when the writer and director teamed up again about a year after Ringu. I Can't recommend Dark Water enough (read the review on this site if you don't believe me). It is Fantastic. This was infact the first Japanese film I saw at a cinema, I've now got the tartan DVD and it's actually better as it has better subtitled. It is also scary and towards the end upsetting. One more thing, there are also bits from the Korean remake of Ringu (I can't think of the name) in the 2002 remake as well. |
| Comment by:- Temple | | 16 July 2004 | ip: logged |
| In the American version I like the special affects and the background of the girl in both versions is good, the American tape has that wierd vibe with only a little bit a fear, but the Japaness video is hella scary. The girl herself is cool looking in the American version, but she's just down right terrifying in the Japaness version. Whats funny is some of my friends put the Japaness version of "the video" on an unmarked tape, then added this "Seven Days" comment at the end of it, because they obviously couldn't call them. Whats great is most of the people in my area havn't seen the Japaness version, so they probably would think it was real. (People in my area are none too bright) We're not sure if anyone every picked it up from that used video store, though. |
| Comment by:- Deaniver | | 10 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| ringu is 1 of the best films ever i just love the heart stopping moments. |
| Comment by:- ???? ???? | | 21 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| Ringu is scarier than the the remKE BECuz of the realistic faces and the atmosphere and the sound effects. bot i wish that it wasnt subtitled and instead dubbed over.i have to admit though that the girl in the closet in the remake is slightly creepier than the one in ringu. |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 01 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| hells ya! |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 01 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Ringu is so much better than the remake. Sadako was so scary and creeped me out for ages but the American one didnt scare me at all. what is with the stupid horses?! it didnt stay true to the real story and basically was a load of sh!t |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 15 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Ring scared me the japanese 1. American was ..... |
| Comment by:- Group | | 01 January 2005 | ip: logged |
