Almost 20 years ago I saw a Japanese horrormovie called Ringu, more commonly known as The Ring. Up until a certain scene, it was a good horrormovie, with some genuinely frightening moments. But then near the end of the film it suddenly happened: a scene that was so incredibly horrifying, that it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. With an open mouth I kept staring at the television screen, not really comprehending what was happening to me. I actually froze, and was completely terrified at the scene that kept unfolding before me. What up to that point had been a very good and scary film, changed into something that to date gave me the biggest scare that I have ever had in my life while watching a movie. The film went on to become a huge succes, and ofcourse the inevitable American remake also appeared. Starring Naomi Watts, it actually was not a bad movie, but it just lacked the atmosphere of the original Japanese version. A sequel to the American remake was released in 2005, and now 12 years later we have Rings, a movie that was supposed to reboot the saga.
In Rings we meet up with college professor Gabriel, who buys an old VCR. Upon coming home he discovers that there is still a videotape inside it. It turns out to be the cursed tape that has killed so many people in the past. When you watch it, you just have seven more days left to live until you die, unless you make a copy of the tape and have someone else watch it. At college a new student named Holt starts classes, leaving behind his girlfriend Julia who lives off campus. They keep in touch with Skype, but then Holt all of a sudden does not contact her as often anymore, until he stops doing so completely. Julia decides to find out what is going on, and heads to Holt’s college. Soon she discovers that Gabriel has started a bizarre experiment involving the videotape, and Holt is a part of that experiment. In order to save her boyfriend, Julia ends up watching the tape, which results in her having seven days left before she is scheduled to die. Determined to put an end to everything once and for all, she desperately tries to find a way to end the curse. But that is easier said than done, and time is running out….
The question I asked myself when I first heard about this movie is if there was really anyone waiting for this one. It’s been twelve years after the release of the last American version of the Ring, and that movie was not very well received at the time. So why even make this? I don’t really expect an answer, but I ended up watching it anyway. Sadly though, what could have been a reboot for this if it had been done well, ended up being a waste of a movie. Where the original two movies at least had plenty of scares, we now have a film that tries to copy that, but fails completely. Not once in this movie did I feel a sense of being frightened. There were one or two interesting scenes, but ultimately this was a pretty boring movie.
Another thing that did not work in this film were it’s characters. They were just very dull, and I honestly could not care less what happened to them. The cast consisted of relatively unknowns, with the exception of Vincent D’Onofrio and Johny Galecki. Though the acting in the movie wasn’t bad, the script itself just did not provide a good enough story to leave a lasting impression for any of the actors involved. So, what remains is a film that has very little in common with the original movie, and should have stayed buried in a well. Honestly there is almost nothing to recommend about this movie. If you really want to have a good scare, go and see the original 1998 Ringu. I promise you that movie is still every bit as powerful after all these years.
I give Rings a 3 out of 10 score.
My favorite part was how the video of doom is digital now, yet they still just had to trick people to physically come to their home to sit down and watch it on their laptop. That’s some quality writing.
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Haha, I really had to laugh about this comment 😂😂 Briljant!. Yes the writing was absolutely astounding. I reall wonder how long it took them to make the script lol 😂
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I am not touching this franchise with a ten foot pole. I like being able to sleep at night and watching The Grudge put me off Japanese horror forever. (I mean, yeah, it was good and scary – that’s the problem!)
But despite my healthy caution towards the original Ringu, it seems a pity that this attempted reboot failed so much.
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Haha: good for you. The Grudge was absolutely the second movie that gave me one of the scariest movie experiences of my life. Wow, that seriously was creepy as hell. It might interest you to know that there is actually a movie now, that combines the Grudge and Ringu franchises together. I kid you not 😊
But yeah…perhaps it’s good to avoid that one as well 😂😂
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Holy shit, why??
Yep, definitely avoiding.
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I’ve never seen the original Ringu, but it sounds terrifying. I did see the Ring back when it came out and thought it was pretty creepy. Not really being a fan of the genre, I definitely won’t be giving this one a try. Although it sounds like it wouldn’t do much for scaring me, so maybe I would be safe, lol
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Haha…yeah: trust me you would be safe with this one 😂😂 The original Ringu though….not so much 😊
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I think you were spot on about what made “Ringu” so good and frightening – it’s atmosphere. So much about that film is low key, yet undeniably ominous, that when you get to that scene it’s a real shock.
I also echo the question you posed. Who was waiting for this movie? After Ringu, Rasen, Ju-on, and all the American remakes, the concept itself feels played out. I’m not surprised that the nth attempt to do this falls flat in comparison.
Entertaining review, as always, in any case! Sheldon could have definitely fixed everything.
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That atmosphere is just something only the Japanese seem to be able to create. I loved it throughout the entire film, and the creepy scene at the end, it still manages to give me goosebumps….
Yeah…the movie certainly could have had some potential, if the script was better, but unfortunately I think a three year old child could have made a better film lol 😂 Or perhaps that should have let Sheldon maje the movie after all 😉
Thanks for the kind words and your comment: always appreciate it 😀
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Shame that this turned out to be poor as, like you said, it had potential to be a half-decent reboot.
Never saw the Japanese original. I now want to just to see this horrific scene you mentioned.
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Haha, well you have been warned, it really is a horrific scene, lol 😂 But it is a truly terrific movie, and well worth checking out if you can find some time for it 😊
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Just wanted to let you know, I nominated you for the Entertainer Blogger Award
https://writet.wordpress.com/2017/06/30/the-entertainer-blogger-award/
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Thank you very, very much 😊 Really appreciate it a lot 😀
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I remember seeing The Ring in theaters years ago, but I don’t think I heard about this reboot. Wouldn’t have been interested to start with, but I definitely am not interested now after your review.
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The original The Ring was very good (The Japanese version was better, but the American version certainly wasn’t bad). With this one though, the original concept that made the movie so good, was pretty much wasted. Real shame, but yeah you are not missing anything here. Thanks for your comment 😀
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Good review my friend, I have a feeling your words are a lot better than the actual film.
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Haha, I don’t know about that, but yeah this movie is one you definitely should avoid 😊 Thank you for the kind words as always 😀
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Yeah, I think I’ll spend my money on something more substantial and worthwhile.
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Another great review! I so agree that this remake is painfully boring. There is just something about Asian horror that American cinema is seldom able to recreate. Distinct cultural influence, atmosphere, and whatnot. Of course, there are exceptions, with decent remakes like Mirrors and the Uninvited. But best to stick with the original, when it comes to brilliant ones like Shutter or Ringu! 😊
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Thank you again 😀😀 Yeah this was just simply a pointless film. There was nothing in it that even made me like it for a little bit, except for one or two scenes. But oh well, I could not agree more, the original films usually are the best anyway 😊
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These spin offs and reboots are honestly driving me crazy. This movie wasn’t even remotely entertaining . I literately had to fight to stay awake through the second half of the movie. I’ve never seen the original Japanese version but I though the 1st movie that was adapted in the American version was very scary (although I was only 12 when I saw it 😂)
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Haha lol 😂 Well, I pretty much had the same problem in trying go stay awake. The problem with this film was that it also had very little to do with the original movie.
The first American remake really wasn’t a bad film, and was certainly scary 😊 But nothing can beat the original Japanese version though 😀
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I’m understand. I might watch the Japanese version soon though but I’m not doing it alone.
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Does the Japanese version has English caption? I saw this movie. Must have been the American version I guess and I was scared anyway.. haha.. I’m surprised to know there is a movie that makes you that scared haha.. I forgot a lot of the movie and your summary helps reminding me some.. Excellent review!
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Thank you very much 😊 Yeah the original Japanese version will probably have some English captions as well. It was a long time ago since I last saw the movie myself. The American version was definitely not bad, and at a lot of times very scary as well. The original is the best though, that is for sure 😊
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Or just maybe Japanese can make scary movies scarier than other countries?
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Well…I most certainly think that’s true. The scariest films I have seen are from the Japanese 😊
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Another great movie for me, then! xD All laughing aside, I do agree with you: why would they make this one after twelve years? No one, I think, even remembers The Ring that much anymore. It was big at the time (when I was a kid and every kid wanted to watch it because it was oh so scary and creepy) but not so much now.
The original Japanese movies are always so much superior (Japanese, as a rule, always make sure everything they do is done perfectly). They’re TOO well done, in my opinion XD I can definitely see how it would leave you petrified while watching it. I never personally did, of course, but people I know who did swear by it.
Another wonderful review! I’m sorry it was such a disappointment, though…
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You know what movie I am still waiting for is Jeepers Creepers 3! Where the crap is that movie!!! I think I may pass on Rings after your review!
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Well…perhaps I can make you happy: Jeepers Creepers 3 will be coming out this year! It is called Cathedral, and supposedly it will be the most frightening Jeepers Creepers to date. I loved the previous two movies,so I hope that’s true 😊
As for this one, yep, passing is definitely the best thing to do lol 😂
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I just looked! I see the girl from the first one is in it, but where the crap is the guy and his son from the first one!!! I am so ready for this… it has been years here lol!
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I went through a phase in high school where I was obsessed with Japanese & Thai horror movies & Ringu was one of the many movies I watched. It was amazing and much better than the American one, so I don’t understand why they felt like they needed to make another one after so long. It’s good to know that it’s not worth watching, but I’m sorry you had to endure it!
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Haha, yeah, well, there are worse things to ensure I guess, but yes totally true. This movie really is pointless. It could have been great if it were executed properly, but unfortunately it didn’t. Ringu though….brrr…still have nightmares thinking about that one lol 😂
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What a shame. With only seeing the prior two rings, I was hoping this one would be good.
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Yeah, I really had the same hope, but unfortunately it was not to be. It was a true waste of time, and a film that quite frankly should not have been made. You would be better of watching the new Blair Witch Project. That one did do things right, and while not as good as the original film, it was still quite enjoyable 😊
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Sometimes it’s best to leave movies at the first or second sequel and not continue on. Huh, Just might need to check that other movie out now that they did a remake. Find it hard at times because there are some movies where I enjoy the original and other times find the remake better.
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True enough, but the new Blair Witch isn’t a remake but a sequel, and a pretty good one as well. I hope you will enjoy it if you do manage to check that one out 😊
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Oh cool. Yeah may just have to one of these days🙂
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I enjoyed the first two movies but I haven’t seen this one
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Hmm, well this one is best avoided. It was really bad, and not worth seeing, especially not when compared to the first two. 😢😢
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