CriticSociety- film reviews

Review

Ringu

Director

Hideo Nakata

Year

1998

Rating

Reviewed by

Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho

Review date

Thursday, July 07, 2005

The original Ringu, the Japanese horror film that started it all (several sequels, a Chinese version, an American version and its sequel, a TV series, etc.), is indeed a very horrific picture. It tells the story of how some people die suddenly and unexplainably, remaining with dreadful looks on their faces exactly, as rumor has it, one week after viewing a mysterious spooky video. This theme knocks at the door of reporter Reiko Asakawa (Nanako Matsushima) when a relative of hers dies on account of this (during the American-style prologue of the movie), and she sets to investigate. Her research takes her to the spot where the video was watched by a few young people, and she watches it herself. The clock starts ticking, and there are many symptoms that show, more clearly every time, that death is near. When she shows the video to her friend and ex-husband Ryuji (Hiroyuki Sanada), and when her little son finds the tape and watches it himself, things get as tense as can be.

All this takes Reiko Asakawa into one of the scariest investigations seen in recent cinema. There’s death, psychics, ghosts, and a curse, all mixed into one deadly video. Why does it exist? Where does it come from? Who’s involved? Whatever happened to the people who died? Too many questions and too few answers. The clock ticks and desperation starts to conquer. It’s a nail-biting scenario if there ever was one.

Based on Kôji Suzuki’s novel, this film, which I hear is the most profitable horror film in Japanese history, sure has what it takes to give the thrills. It’s not very coherent, sometimes not quite comprehensible, and the direction of Hideo Nakata is nothing remarkable by horror film standards, but somehow it comes to life and grabs you, nails you, and has you watching your back at all times to see if someone’s coming from the other world to get you.

Nakata’s work is not all that bad however. He’s sure got an eye for performances, and he goes much more for personal drama than cheap horror, which is good. He relies on the characters, and the casting which is magnificent. Matsushima is not only incredibly gorgeous but also completely credible as a first cocky then desperate professional and mother. Sanada is also quite something as her ex, who turns to have a good deal of depth in supernatural levels; by the way, he slightly reminded me of Toshiro Mifune. Daisuke Ban is very effective in a few scenes as a man with a few deadly secrets. And Rikiya Otaka is absolutely remarkable as Asakawa’s little son, himself a spooky presence throughout.

Even though I had seen the American remake before, I was still surprised and shock by this film’s twists and turns. It’s so unique in its depiction that it has you in stitches even if you know the story. And despite its tendency towards the stupid, it never becomes ridiculous, which is admirable.

All in all, a fine Japanese horror film, well worth a look.

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