Ring was one a highlight among recent horror films - a genuinely scary experience that managed to be extremely nasty without actually showing the audience anything too graphic. The combination of old-fashioned supernatural scares mixed with modern technology proved irresistible. As with any good horror tale the simplicity plays a key role in creating an iconic experience.
In Ring the act of watching a video-tape can lead to the viewer's death at the sight of the long-haired, creepy eyed Sadako - a victim of a terrifying incarceration at the bottom of a well. Inevitably, given the film's success not just in its native Japan but also internationally, a sequel was pushed into production, with a prequel (Ring 0: Birthday) not far behind. Carrying straight on from the events in part one, Ring 2 begins with Sadako's recently exhumed body awaiting examination in a city mortuary but her inanimate state does not remain so, as indicated in a simple but highly effective shot of hair growing from under her shroud. Reawakened, she emerges again from TV static to claim more lives through sheer fear.
Filming in a naturalistic style with long takes creates tension, languid scenes punctuated by jarring staccato edits at key moments. There is none of the over-edited thoughtless pyrotechnics that have reduced many modern horror films to nothing more than bloody pop videos. In Ring 2 when there is a jump, you jump. Ultimately this is what makes the Ring cycle of films so effective - it is the promise of the horrific that often (but not always) makes for more unpleasant viewing. The deaths are little more than over-exposures or bursts of video crackle, accompanied by rhythmic drumming and enveloping tones, but the effect is profound.
For those expecting a film on par with the first should prepare for a little disappointment, as the shock of the new cannot be repeated. That said Ring 2 does not compromise the first outing, expands upon the myth in interesting ways and stands out as a restrained piece of deceptively bizarre film-making. Highly recommended for those seeking to extend the sheer unexpected pleasure of the first episode (which is also available from Tartan as part of their Tartan Terror range - an eclectic selection of cult horror films that includes Stuart Gordon's gleefully tasteless splatterthon Re-Animator, Frank Henenlotter's bargain basement but strangely compulsive Basket Case and the long overdue release of Herschell Gordon Lewis's deranged Z-Grade bloodletters).
This DVD release certainly does justice to the film's cinematography while the 5.1 sound is clean and atmospheric. While the disc isn't exactly straining with extras they are nonetheless more informative than usual self-congratulatory fare - a short essay, trailers (prompting the BBFC classification to be raised to a 15, the film itself apparently being suitable for demented twelve year olds) and a welcome look at some of the merchandise released after the film's box office triumph in Japan - Sadako keyrings, candles or coffee mugs anyone?
Reviewed by Colin Odell and Michelle Le Blanc
Reader comments about Ring 2
pocari_sweat (Email address withheld) writes:
one of the classiest, creepiest movies I have ever seen
like the original ring, this film is all the more beguiling and unfamiliar as it's born from a different culture to staple teen-splatter shlock
go see
caun_valentino (Email address withheld) writes:
it has a good story line. plus an fine cast. damn scary if i tell you. and i do mean scary....in the well....when sadako catches up....seing is beleiving
jules (foxyjules16@hotmail.com) writes:
I thought this movie was great. Even though i hate reading subtitles this movie kept me entertained threwout the whole movie.
I recomend this to any movie buff its certainly brill.
Steve Jenkins (Email address withheld) writes:
If only western cinema would pay more attention to the eastern horror film style and technique then we could all look forward to seeing such original and disturbing classics that the ring trilogy has become.
Boz (lifeonmars@lycos.com) writes:
I was not a fan of the American edition of The Ring. It did too little with an intriguing premise, offered a confusing and often dumb storyline, and was low on the creepiness scale. It's successor, The Ring, by comparison is pure genius. This is yet another example of what happens when money, not creativity, drives the production of a sequel. The evidence is on the screen.
The horror, to the extent that it can be called by that word, is standard, by-the-book stuff that has been neutered in order to appeal to a PG-13 crowd. It's stale. It couldn't cut butter. Watch and see why it's a good idea to allow hunters to thin the herd. You can call me for it, shamelessly, I liked the original, first ideas are usually the best.
Robbert (robberthaaksema@hotmail.com) writes:
Was a cool movie, although it wasn't as scary as i expected it to be. acoually, we watched it with some friends, and when the characters literally scared to death en you saw their faces, we couldn't stop laughing
sadafan (Email address withheld) writes:
Sadako is a woman with a mission - to scare the living daylights out of everyone! Got to admire that focus and determination.
Two years after seeing the last hour of Ring 2 on Channel 4 I'm still having nightmares about her, watch it at your peril.
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