Ringu

Rating:
Summary: Scared the Bejeezus Out of Me!
Review: After weeks of watching bad films (Pitch Black and Jeepers Creepers), last night I put my foot down and told my BF and his friend we were going to watch a GOOD scary film for a change. I chose Ringu. First, the cover scared me. A closup of Sadako's eye, with the hair around it, is NOT something you want lying around the table. Then we watched the movie.

Now, slasher movies usually scare me to pieces. Scream, Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th... all scared me so much I cried. I'm usually not afraid of supernatural thrillers. I liked The Others, but I wasn't scared. The Exorcist didn't even put a dent in me. However, Ringu scared me so much, I was too scared to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night! I stayed awake, waiting for the TV to come on by itself, before I couldn't take it anymore and asked my BF to go with me. I admit I'm usually a big chicken, when it comes to scary movies, but this one takes the cake! The acting was great. They didn't need to have any blood-curdling screams or over-drama to show fear. The lack of special effects was even better. I'm tired of ... scary movies of today, that rely on nothing BUT special effects and sound to scare you. Movies like The Others and especially RINGU are a rare breed of great scary movies.

I don't know whether to call them horror or thrillers, but either way, I'm still not sure whether I'm supposed to pass the RING on or not! If you have to choose between the American and the Japanese version, this American says go with the Japanese. There's more suspense in that single film, than almost all of today's American thrillers put together. I would recommend highly, unless you're a big thriller wimp like me. Then I'd say avoid it at all costs, unless you have someone to go to the bathroom with you at night! You don't need special effects or big budgets from other thrillers to get this scared. All you need is Ringu.

Rating:
Summary: Nightmares, anyone?
Review: I've long been a fan of Asian cinema, and I'd heard about RINGU for a few years but hadn't seen it until recently. In fact, I deliberately avoided the US remake until I'd seen the original. Anyway, I ordered the original trilogy (RING, RING 2 and RING 0) and watched them all over the course of a few nights.

While not exactly living up to the breathless hype that I've found all over the internet, RINGU nonetheless succeeds greatly in its ability to draw you in and keep you feeling awfully uncomfortable as you wait for unpleasant things to befall the cast. The antagonist (protagonist?) Sadako is one of the most memorable and terrifying characters that I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot. I've always been a fan of the "ambiguous" storyline, and the fact that there's a lot to RINGU that isn't easily explained was very refreshing. Too many Hollywood movies hold your hand and explain every little thing, which only insults my intelligence. I'm glad that there's a sense of mystery mixed in with the dread, which RINGU delivers in spades. Highly recommended.

The first sequel, RING 2, picks up where the first one left off. We see some familiar characters, and there's an emphasis on the scientific study and explanation of Sadako's supernatural power. Not quite as creepy as the first film, but it does have its unsettling moments; one in particular that involves the appearance of Sadako's mother Shizuko. A fine continuation of the story, but not exactly essential.

Which brings us to RING 0, which is actually a prequel to the first film. It has a slightly different style to it (different director) and the focus is on character development and interaction. It's more or less Sadako's story (complete with one of the most gut wrenching tragic endings I've ever seen) and it sheds light on who (and what) she was while painting her in a very sympathetic light. The actress who plays Sadako was riveting and draws you into her world from the moment you see her. It's a very emotional film, and by the time the end credits came up I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. No overt gore, no sex, no nudity, just an attention to subtleties that works magnificently. The first time we see the Sadako that we know from the first film was one of the creepiest sequences I've ever sat through. I literally had chills. Essential viewing.

Therefore, my recommendation is to watch RINGU, then RING 0, and then RING 2. At least that's how I'd have done it had I known better. In that order, the narrative is better and the viewer's relationship with the characters (especially Sadako) is much more enhanced. Unforgettable characters, highly imaginative story, expertly crafted filmmaking. Wish there were more like these.

Rating:
Summary: the scariest movie
Review: More elements in the american version? They just copied it.
And for your information, the have 3 Ringus, the prequel, Ring 0, Ringu, and Ring 2. Ring 0 is the life of Sadako, Ring 2 is when recording the tape becomes useless. There's your element.

Too LOW budget? It fascinates me how they managed to make a horror film without much special effects. that's how you separate the good film makers from the bad. I watched this movie in a theatre, after I watched the remake. That was the time I realized that the remake was [poor] and was nothing like original. The soundtrack was awesome too.

I recommend you guys to watch all three of them.

Rating:
Summary: must see!!!
Review: I had first seen the original Japenese version of the ring two years ago and was actualy afraid to walk around my house in the dark. The last time that happened was when I saw the Blob at five years old. This movie is just plain creepy and the suspense is almost too much to bear towards the end of the movie. The atmosphere of the landscapes in every scene in the movie has an eerie feel about. For instance when the main character drops off her son at his grandfathers house, you may think that this is a happy and safe place, but I just had that feeling that something scary was going to jump out from around the corner at any moment. I felt uneasy with every beautiful backdrop. I am not here to bicker about whether or not this version is better than the American remake because I think that the each hold an interesting perspective and are pretty effective at scaring the audience. I do however, think that everybody that saw the American remake should see this version because this is an effectively creepy movie without the big budget (unlike the blair witch that was just dumb)and it is interesting to do a sort of cross cultural analysis. There are some interesting cultural biases presented in each. I don't know if this American version is going to have English dubbing, but you should see it in it's native tongue since it just adds to the mystique of that cursed videotape.

Rating:
Summary: If You Want to See "The Ring," THIS IS THE ONE TO GET!
Review: *
Although it upsets me somewhat that this DVD is being released by Universal Studios (which will more than likely result in them plastering their own corporate logo at the opening and ending credits and likely removing the original Japanese studio logos and credits), I am most pleased that FINALLY they are going to offer this original masterpiece in a crisp, high quality ''Region-1'' DVD!

Previously, when DreamWorks SKG purchased the rights to remake their American version of this film (as ''The Ring''), they subsequently pressured other distributors to discontinue marketing ''Regionless'' DVDs of this original Japanese title out of fear that we here in the US just might get our hands on our own personal copies of the original film and BYPASS the American remake in theatres (...and judging from what I have seen for myself and have heard from others about how much Verbinski's remake deviated from the original, it would seem that the studio exec's fears were clearly justified). So, until now, the only way this title could have been acquired in the US was on VCD (which are about as fun as those old ''laserdiscs'') or pirated DVDs. So I have high hopes for this ''official'' American release DVD!

If no one has yet seen the DreamWorks remake, I would strongly suggest holding off on that idea UNTIL you have first experienced this movie in its original spectacle! Many people will say this movie is ''scary,'' but that's not really true; it is more ''creepy'' and ''sinister'' than anything else -- but it has ALL of the trappings of a truly good eerie and spooky movie: dark lighting, creepy sets, moody film score, subdued acting, an easy-pace, and suspenseful script.

If you have already been ''polluted'' with the Verbinski version, there's a good possibility you may not like this version, precisely for of the very reasons I have just mentioned. Not only does the DreamWorks/Verbinski project ''brighten'' things up to eliminate the dark & eerie look and feel of the original film, but it also tacks on a lot of extra stuff and details which (though perhaps present in the Japanese prequel and alternative sequels) were NOT present nor expressed in this Original film. [[For further details, see my Amazon DVD review of ''THE RING'' under the heading: ''BEFORE YOU SEE 'The Ring' ... SEE THE 'ORIGINAL'!'']] But even if you have seen the DreamWorks fare and felt that somehow it could have been better or should have been handled differently, then THIS is the movie that is going to make you want to kick yourself for believing the hype and wasting nine bucks & time spent in line at the movie theatre -- and on top of that, the popcorn was stale.

_

Rating:
Summary: Good movie, even though I like the American version better
Review: Whether you like The Ring or Ringu better definitely depends on which one you see first. I've yet to see a review where someone liked The Ring more if they've already seen Ringu, and vice versa.

I had the chance to see Ringu for the first time last night (of course, I would buy it off an online auction and then find out the next day it's coming out on DVD!). I've already seen The Ring four times, and I was scared to death each time I saw it.

I thought Ringu was a decent movie. Almost TOO low budget. I was scared during it, but only because I knew what was about to happen, and it was more anticipation fear, rather than fear of what I was actually watching. All in all, I'm not sure if I would have been scared if I had seen Ringu first.

I have to say that I definitely like The Ring American version better. More elements are added to the story, I think it set up more of a creepy atmosphere. With Ringu, I was almost distracted by the low budget, but maybe I'm just not used to Japanese cinema. The Ring was much more effective for me, but then again, I saw it before Ringu.

Rating:
Summary: a masterpiece of psychological horror...
Review: To put it into words that everyone can understand, this is the only movie I have ever watched that caused a grown man to whimper like a young child with fear. I will admit it is not a movie for your average, low attention span, American audience. It takes someone of stronger mind with a deeper awareness to what is and is not done well to appreciate a movie of this caliber. There are two main reasons. For one, it is a foreign film, not viewable to most. Reading and watching are too complicated to perform at the same time. The lack of flamboyant Hollywood effects and expensive camera tricks, which have become a mainstay of the putrid [stuff] we are force-fed on a regular basis, is the second. Not saying I do not like new and inventive techniques and visuals, but money does not make a movie. This movie was made on a meager budget, to put it nicely. From the opening credits, it drips with atmosphere, surrounding you in an epiphany of fear. Truthfully, it is the first movie I have seen since "Candyman", which I watched at the age of thirteen, that has caused me such a feeling of unease. To wrap this up, anyone who wants to honestly enjoy a movie made to unsettle and possibly even disturb, yet at the same time keep a story, please do yourself the justice of watching this movie. To anyone who fits in the above categories, watch the plotless, and shameful, American remake.

Rating:
Summary: A Horror Masterpiece
Review: The first two reviews do not give this movie justice. Don't be fooled by closed-minded 'americans' who need blood and gore and have to have everything explained or else they think the movie [is bad]. The American remake can't compare to its Japanese original. It doesn't need background music or slasher-movie-qualities to make it scary, it does it through the story. You have to watch and figure a lot of things out on your own (not have them told to you like in the remake). If you're up to the challange, watch the original...otherwise go back to watching overrated violence and gore.

Rating:
Summary: Please call it RING not ringU... gaaa!!!
Review: anyways, as a mod of the Ringworld Forum, I thought I'd chime in, seeings how so many people tend to give bad reviews on these things.

this movie, unfortuneately, is given a bad rap by many for not being scarry or cheap looking. well, it was pretty cheap, 6million to make (contrary to the 1mil figure someone else gave) however, this is quite high for a japanese film. ok, the point is, this is a movie done in the classic (guess these kids dont know) style of CINEMA... before the director of scream was even born, there was a guy named Alfred Hitchcock. he made GOOD movies (without CG), they were also given the title "horror"... long since, the term has shifted to mean "things that go bump so you can cop a feel off your girlfriend"...

so lets clear up the muck and redefine what Ring actually is... Ring is a Psychological Thriller/Suspense. that is the official genre, NOT HORROR! now that you know, hopefully you can watch the movie with a virgin eye.

Rating:
Summary: Sadako!
Review: I rented this from a foreign video rental store after watching the American version of 'The Ring', thinking maybe it would scare me unlike the latter.

Since it is in Japanese, the subtitles were pretty off and if you're expecting it to be like the American version, you're wrong. The story is totally different, except for the deal with the cursed videotape. This time, the viewer has no idea where in the world the tape came from, but at least you have an idea of what the images represent. The main character the movie is focused on, Sadako, reminds me of the Japanese version of "Carrie", being abused by her peers for being "different".

There's actually 3 parts to 'Ringu': a prequel and sequel---you have to watch the prequel (Pt. 0) and sequel (Pt. 2) in order to understand more of 'Ringu'. I feel that the American version decided to merge all 3 parts of the Japanese version into one big American version.

Although it gave me a few shocks here and there, I wouldn't deem it as the scariest movie of all time. However, I give it credit for a pretty original story and it was more developed than the American version.