Directed By: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, Brian Cox
Tag line: "THBefore you die, you see the ring"
Trivia: Jennifer Love Hewitt was offered the role of Rachel Keller, but turned it down
Looking back on the history of horror movies, there have been a number of unforgettable screen monsters. From silent films (Nosferatu) and the early days of sound (Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man) through to the ‘60s (Norman Bates), ‘70s (Michael Myers), ‘80s (Jason Voorhees, Freddie Krueger) and ‘90s (Candyman, Ghost Face), every generation has had their boogeymen.
Surprisingly, one of the first truly frightening characters of the new Millennium wasn't a giant beast or a behemoth in a mask. It was a little girl.
A remake of the Japanese horror movie Ringu, The Ring stars Naomi Watts as Rachel Keller, a journalist researching an urban legend that centers on a video tape of unknown origin. According to said legend, whoever watches this tape start to finish will receive a phone call from the beyond, with a frail voice on the other end of the line informing them they have only seven days to live.
A remake of the Japanese horror movie Ringu, The Ring stars Naomi Watts as Rachel Keller, a journalist researching an urban legend that centers on a video tape of unknown origin. According to said legend, whoever watches this tape start to finish will receive a phone call from the beyond, with a frail voice on the other end of the line informing them they have only seven days to live.
And how does Rachel begin her investigation? By watching the tape, of course! Much to her dismay, she finds the legend is, in fact, quite real, and she now has one week to uncover its mysteries, which seemingly stem from a little girl named Samara (Daveigh Chase), before becoming the tape's next victim.
Along with its intriguing central mystery and a handful of entertaining twists and turns, The Ring also boasts an incredibly dark atmosphere, which alone is good for some spine-chilling moments; there’s a sequence with actor Brian Cox that'll have you poised on the edge of your seat. The videotape itself, which features black and white images of seemingly random people and places, is eerily confusing, and its final shot of a solitary ring of light is the stuff of nightmares.
Along with its intriguing central mystery and a handful of entertaining twists and turns, The Ring also boasts an incredibly dark atmosphere, which alone is good for some spine-chilling moments; there’s a sequence with actor Brian Cox that'll have you poised on the edge of your seat. The videotape itself, which features black and white images of seemingly random people and places, is eerily confusing, and its final shot of a solitary ring of light is the stuff of nightmares.
Yet what I will always remember about The Ring is young Samara, played to creepy perfection by Daveigh Chase. Without going into spoilers, let me say that nothing can prepare you for the shock of a later scene involving Samara, a television, and a well. I get goosebumps now just thinking about it.
The Ring is a movie even the most jaded of horror fans will enjoy, a supernatural tale that, like The Exorcist before it, will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.
The Ring is a movie even the most jaded of horror fans will enjoy, a supernatural tale that, like The Exorcist before it, will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.
4 comments:
This is a case where I like the American remake almost as much as the Japanese original that spawned it. I saw this in the theater with my sister. I remember explaining the impact of the ending to her on the way out to the car, or at least my interpretation...there was a moment of wide-eyed realization from her. I think that made her like the movie a lot more when she realized what the ending might imply.
has a spooky atmosphere & naomi watts is a good actress. i need to revisit.
Looks good.
👍
Post a Comment