The Ring

-Dreamworks (2002)

Summary:

Teens find a haunted VHS tape. Chaos ensues.

My Thoughts:

The Ring is a modern horror film that relies on technology to provide the scares. Normally I don’t find VHS tapes very scary, unless it involves Richard Simmons, but in this film it works. The Ring takes an urban legend and brings it to a frightening reality by beginning with the mysterious deaths of four teenagers. One of the victim's sisters is drawn into trying to figure out how and why her sister died such a mysterious death. She eventually learns that the kids all had a strange VHS tape in common. It seems to have the ability to kill anyone simply by watching it. 

The plot is pretty suspenseful, but of course there are some odd leaps in logic found in all horror films that makes you say, “Don’t watch that! Why are you answering the phone?” type of things, but overall it’s a very good film with some great imagery.

This is my kind of horror film, moodiness and pacing are the real stars of the show, rather than some gore fest. It may be a letdown if your preferred mode of horror is a slasher flick, but for me this is the kind of film for me. The look of the film is awesomely frightening. Everything carries a spooky unearthly quality, like the painting of a madman. The only disappointing thing about this film is that there is a slight feeling that there aren't enough payoffs for all of the suspense. The final time we see how the victim dies from the tape, it's rather anti-climatic. 

The picture is great and it has an ultra earthy and creepy tone that best suites the film. The surround sound is also amazing and provides plenty of loud jumps and creepy atmosphere. I love the fact that there is both an awesome 5.1 Dolby digital as well as an amazing DTS track.

Extras:

The most disappointing aspect of this release is the lack of extras. This is a great looking and sounding DVD in many respects, but there isn’t anything in the way of extras.

The DVD cover promises a short film made especially for the DVD release that unlocks mysteries of The Ring, but it does far from that. It’s just a collection of alternative scenes and cut scenes, which are interesting but not what was promised. It also shows that the tape is actually at the video store at the end. How lame would that have been for an ending?

There are also two trailers for other films. One is for Ringu, which I can understand, but the other is for Catch Me if You Can.

Lastly, there is a “hidden” video that will kill you if you watch it. 

Score:

Film: 8.0

Extras:  4.0

Edition: 7.5

A worthwhile edition if you don’t care about the pathetic lack of extras.

-Paul