LogFAQs > #924321840

13. Ring

Karo - 7
JONA - 10
Genny - 12
Snake - 12
Charon - 14
Scarlet - 14
Johnbobb - 15
KBM - 21
Inviso - 31

Karo - The classic japanese horror movie about killer videotapes and girls crawling out of TVs. It moves at a deliberate pace that is excellent for building tension, yet still has the time limit looming large to remind you that they better get this shit done fast. Something that western horror movies could learn from this is fear of the unknown is more scary than someone in a dumb mask. Hell, Sadako isnt even shown until the end of the film yet her presence looms large throughout the whole story. It is a classic that is known even outside its home country for a reason.

JONA - The first scene is a really great mood setter and shows how good direction can help a low budget movie. Ring really plays its simplicity and minimalism to its strength. The movie has great creepy moments and the investigation is engaging.

Genny - Whatever, The Ring is better. I once heard a quote (this was a long time ago so don't ask me to source it please) that the reason The Ring did so well is because Americans don't "get" Japanese horror. Having Ringu fresh on my mind, I have to agree. It's not bad by any means. The performances of the actors are solid, and Sadako is just as sinister as Samara. I think the fault lies in the "ring" itself in that unless something went right over my head (not impossible) there is no visual cue for the ring in this movie. Unless the ring refers to the sound the telephone makes when Sadako tells you how much time you've got left on this earth then it's not present. I vastly prefer the American take on this, but the original is not bad by any means. 7.9/10

Snake - Why I Chose It - Ring is the single most influential J-horror film of all time. Not only was it a runaway success in Japan, it was one of the first big J-horror films to cross over to North American audiences and popularize that style here, influencing many directors and inspiring American remakes. Sadako has become one of the biggest and most recognizable Japanese horror icons, second only to Godzilla. Also a bit of trivia, Ring and it's sequel Rasen were both released on the same day, although the latter was far less successful.

My Thoughts - It was interesting having watched the American remake first, then seeing this one, and noting how similar the two actually are, with the American version being mostly faithful. However, there are several key differences that help both versions stand on their own. I think one of the biggest differences is what the tape represents. In the American version, it's not really much more than a conduit for the plot, but in the Japanese version, it's used more to represent the virus of technological advancement, overshadowing and at war with Japanese traditions and old-fashioned beliefs. It's very similar to how Godzilla captured the fears of Japan in the Atomic Age. Besides that, there's also a deliberately slower pace with more focus on the mystery of it all, with nothing too outright scary happening for most of the film's runtime. That's not to say it makes it boring though, in fact, it captures my attention in a whole different way from the American film. It's hard not to compare the two, but I love both and they both have their different places and influences in the world.
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