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THE MOVIE |
THE DVD |
REVIEWER |
REVIEW DATE |
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WesCraven |
13th September, 2004 |
Review Quote
"Overall I wasn't disapointed in "The Ring", though, I wasn't expecting much either. People can take or leave this one. It's not as horrible as some make it out to be, but it's not as good as some claim it to be either. Your choice."
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The Plot
The niece of a reporter, dies from an unknown cause. Her friends claim it's from watching a video tape that kills you in seven days. She doesn't believe them. However, when she watches the tape herself, and she gets the same frightening call that her niece supposedly got, her mind quickly changes.
The Movie
I nervously purchased this film when it first came out, not really know what to think. I had heard great things and I had heard quite horrible things as well. What I decided after viewing "The Ring" was that it was Hollywood Garbage, that wasn't all that bad. With a statement like that, I can see how one could be confused. What I mean is that while the movie was ultra trendy, and didn't have a whole to give me, there were some rather bright spots to the film.
I haven't seen "Ringu" (the Japanese) on which "The Ring" is based, but if the story is anything like "The Ring"'s , then it's really pretty ridiculous. The story leaves us with so many unanswered questions. How was the video made? Who made it? How did the people really die? Who was making the phone callls? The movie weakly attempts to answer a few of these lingering questions, but in the end we are only left unfulfilled. Not to mention at times, you're wondering if "The Ring" is really a horror film, and not just a lame mystery/detective movie. I still don't know, but am leaning towards the latter (I think).
What this film does do well is atmosphere. The score by Hans Zimmer is really good. It's spooky, and intense, and does help the film quite a bit. Another positive is the video itself. I must admit, it's a really eerie series of images, and does really make sense as an item of true fright. Another plus I must mention is it being filmed/set in the wonderfully rainy hometown of myself: the good ol' state of Washington. It gives the film that dark and dreary feeling, not to mention the constant downpour of watery goodness. All of which goes towards the creepy atmosphere of this movie.
Overall I wasn't disapointed in "The Ring", though, I wasn't expecting much either. People can take or leave this one. It's not as horrible as some make it out to be, but it's not as good as some claim it to be either. Your choice.
The DVD
The DVD is alright. The transfers are fine, and enjoyable. For extras we get our own version of the video to watch, and I must day it's still pretty unsettling, though no one called me after I watched it. We get a "Ringu" trailer. Also we get an easter egg (by pressing down below the options on the left side), that shows some deleted scenes cropped all together (nearly ten minutes worth). I think these scenes perhaps show what all the images on the video mean, or where they come from; I'm no sure, you'll have to make that conclusion for yourself. Wasn't impressed here, but oh well.
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Director
Gore Verbinski
Cast
Naomi Watts
Martin Henderson
Brian Cox
David Dorfman
Daveigh Chase
Screenplay
Koji Suzuki
Horoshi Takashi
Ehren Kruger
Tagline
"Before you die, you see the ring."
Country
USA
Classification
PG-13
Year
2002
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Format
NTSC
Region Coding
1
Aspect Ratio
1.85:1
16x9 Enhanced
Yes
Running Time
115 minutes
Year Released
2003
Packaging
Snap Case
Extra Features
Deleted Scenes
"The Ring" Video
"Ringu" Movie Trailer
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