The Ring (2002)
Starring: |
Naomi Watts |
Released By: |
Universal Studios |
Released In: |
2002 |
Rated: |
PG-13 |
Reviewed By: |
Adam Mast |
Grade: |
A- |
Wow, this was a switch. A scary movie that's actually scary! And in even a bigger switch, this creepy flick is PG-13, pushing the very limits of the screwed up MPAA system.
Based on the Japanese film of the same name, The Ring involves one hell of an urban legend. This scare-fest revolves around a mysterious video tape that causes death exactly seven days after viewing it. A reporter (Aussie beauty Naomi Watts) finds herself sucked into a nightmare after watching the tape herself. Of course she is compelled to delve deeper into the mystery surrounding the video when the unthinkable happens (you'll have to see the movie to find out about it.)
The early moments of The Ring would suggest that the audience is in for another take on the whole Scream phenomenon, but this movie definitely changes direction, becoming a nightmarish ghost story with some truly terrifying images.
Naomi Watts (who made a huge splash in David Lynch's wild Mullholland Drive) does a great job evoking a sense of fear, something she's forced to do quite often in this movie. Martin Henderson is just sort of there as Watts' ex-flame, but his character does serve a purpose in the story. David Dorfman is creepy and vulnerable as Watts' lonely and troubled son. This kid appears to have graduated from the Haley Joel Osment school of acting.
The Ring is ultimately a movie about technique, and on that level, it more than succeeds. Some of this film doesn't make sense logically speaking, but it's so well executed in terms of visual style, that director Gore Verbinski and his crew have managed to overshadow screenwriter Ehren Kruger's (Arlington Road) numerous gaps of logic. I never really got sucked into the Watts/ Henderson romance, but I could overlook that because the supernatural element of The Ring is so damned intriguing. This movie really sucks you in. And dramatically speaking, I bought into it. Watts' motivation for going through what she does, is heartfelt and sincere.
Verbinski last directed the less-than-stellar The Mexican, a picture that deals with a legend of a different sort. While I haven't seen the Japanese version of The Ring, this Americanized take worked for me. I've always felt that what you don't see is far scarier than what you do see, but The Ring opts to take a different route. To my surprise, this movie does give you payoffs that are effective. For instance, the contents of the tape are revealed early on, and the images are very creepy. And the climax, while weird and seemingly nonsensical, manages to terrify with a truly frightening sequence in which we get to see what has killed victims earlier on in the film. It's basically like watching The Blair Witch Project and actually getting to see the Blair Witch.
The Ring manages to pay homage to the horror genre without ripping it off. Look close and you'll see elements of Ghost Story, Amityville Horror, The Bad Seed, The Sixth Sense, The Others, Silence of the Lambs, Blair Witch Project, The Shining, Poltergeist, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Shocker, The Changeling and countless others.
Verbinski seems more than confident with the material, and he knows how to keep things tense. Constantly throughout this picture, I found myself looking over characters' shoulders, trying to see if someone or something was lurking behind them. That's what good scary movies do, and despite the obvious lapses of logic, and some underdeveloped situations, The Ring always remained scary. I actually watched the screening with my wife and she found this film more disturbing than The Exorcist. While I wouldn't go that far, I do think that The Ring delivers. This movie is disturbing and very scary. How it managed to get the PG-13 rating is beyond me.
If you've read this review, you only have seven days to see it. You've been warned.
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