Hey folks, Harry here... I'm a huge fan of Hideo Nakata's original RING films... and I've been highly suspicious and hesitant to embrace the idea of these very atmospheric, very impressionistic horror films being made for an American market, when the were so raptly held by dream logic... something that American Audiences often struggle with. However, it sounds as if Gore Verbinski managed to pull it off. Certainly my interest on the project soared as soon as I heard that Naomi Watts was involved. Will this be the first honest to goodness Dreamworks Horror film... the one that will open up that genre there, so that others may follow... much like their Guillermo Del Toro production of H.P. Lovecraft's AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS. Let's hope this is as good as Psyclops is reporting!

Hey Harry

Early review of RING, the new horror movie from Gore Verbinski. Mild Spoilers...

Psyclops here with an early test screening review of RING, Dreamworks big budget American remake of the cult Japanese thriller. This screening was a 'work-in-progress' held in Northridge, CA last night and judging by the audience reaction, this could turn out to be a 'Blair Witch' style success story. Before I get into the review I would like to mention that I have seen the original Japanese version and I wasn’t all that impressed by it. I’m pretty sure that a lot of people will want to crucify me for saying that.

The original RING was a movie that I discovered after hearing about all of the hype and raves it was receiving here in the States (it even had a Fangoria cover story a while back) and it turned out to a bit of a let down. It was a decent ghost story with a good concept and the last hour ruined it by going off in too many different directions.

As for this version, it is very similar to the original story but the pacing is a little bit tighter, the threat a little more menacing and there are some genuinely creepy moments that will convince you to sleep with the light on for a week. Naomi Watts plays Rachel, a successful journalist who is investigating the mysterious death of her teenage niece. Supposedly the victim of a modern day urban legend, the rumors begin to spread that the young girl’s demise was the result of an ominous videotape with a death curse.

Rachel’s investigation leads her to this mysterious video, which is about a minute’s worth of bizarre and disturbing black and white images including that of a ghostly child whose face is obscured by her flowing black hair. Rumor has it that those who view the tape will receive a phone call telling them that they will die in seven days. Rachel watches the tape, of course, and gets the exact same call. She freaks out but remains skeptical enough to allow her boyfriend to view the tape and get his professional opinion. This sets up a series of strange events that leads the two to believe they have seven days to live and so begins the race against time to solve the mystery behind the videotape and stop the curse.

I liked this movie. It’s not the typical Hollywood slasher garbage, no way. This is full-on supernatural terror, an adult horror movie that doesn’t talk down to its audience. I did have a few problems with it but I can’t really go into details without spoiling some major plot points. Here goes, do not read the rest of this review if you don‘t want the movie spoiled for you.

(SPOILERS) ...The Big Bad in this film doesn’t really have much of a back story, her origin is vague and you never really understand why this person was much of a threat. They hint at certain things but they never give you full explanation of what she was. Luckily, I had already seen the original movie which actually tells you why everyone was so scared of this bitch when she was around. I‘m not the type that needs everything perfectly worded out for me on the screen, I can draw my own conclusions but I have a hard time believing the average person wouldn‘t be a little confused by the end result ...(END SPOILERS)

Anyway, perfectly good performances by Naomi Watts, Brain Cox, Martin Henderson and the creepy little kid that played Rachel’s son (I don’t know his name but he must now be referred to as Macaulay Joel Osment, you’ll know what I’m talking about once you see him). This is the kind of movie that I would consider an antidote for those unfortunate young people who have grown up on SCREAM and I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER. Those are not HORROR FILMS!!! They never were and they never will be!!! Go see this movie if you want something that scares the pants off of you (literally, it’s a great date movie).

One more thing, I heard that Rick Baker worked on the effects for this movie. At first, I really couldn’t imagine what they would need him for since the original version was all about atmosphere and had very little make-up effects in it. I now think he was a great choice for this! The way people look when they die in this movie is just downright nasty, much worse than the contorted faces seen in the original. It isn’t subtle at all... but that’s a good thing. Plus, there are some cool visuals involving television sets that reminded me of Videodrome, the last death scene in particular (I haven‘t willingly wanted to unplug my television since I saw Poltergeist as a kid). Rick Baker rules.

Psyclops