The story was originally from a popular Japanese novel, which subsequently released as a horror comic, then finally as a film.
The story is about the lead actress Reiko (a reporter) inverstigating a rumoured tape which lead to deaths for its viewer. Those who viewed it will receive a phone call (hence the title RING) telling them they will die within 7 days.
Reiko and her husband got hold of a copy, watched it, and the phone predictablly rang. Reiko's son also watched it at her absence. Now they are in a race against time to save themself.
They started on the most obvious point in trying to discover the meaning of the tape. It looks like a bad editing gone wrong, and the tape seemed to embedded a ghost within. On the way they discovered the sad story of a psychic girl who lived long ago, and was murdered. They also discovered many intersting points surrounding this anicent mystery. All these plot is tightly knited and enable this film to easily have a sequel.
The twist in the film have a very logical and modern favour, which makes it very relevant and believable. There are not many special effects in the film, and the mood is usually set by the slience; occastionally broken by a sharp ringtone indicating death.
The film try to convey a sense of normality in an obviously abnormal setting (hence the feeling of contradiction), and the editing give an impression of a tv soap, unpretenious and close to the audience.
This false sense of security coupled with this contradiction gives the audience a feeling of fear which cannot be easily explained (unlike the popular shock & scared tactic). It is one of those film that scared you by its concept instead of graphic- And I am sure you will not need coffee to stay awake hereafter.
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Production Year: 2000 - Horror - Director: Keenen Ivory Wayans - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Carmen Electra, Anna Faris, Kurt Fuller, James Van Der Beek, Keenen Ivory Wayans
You make me want to watch it, but I know I would be too scared. Good op, Nancy
tiggerishone 19.08.2003 00:01
Not too keen on horror films myself...This is a very good op, which could be improved by putting in some detail as to the characters involved. Love, Corinne.
Aug 18th, 2003
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