Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: "RINGU" (DVD)

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Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 03-05-2003, 01:49 PM:

I never cared very much for last years "THE RING' which many said was a 'Scare Feast" like "THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT". I totally disliked "-BLAIR WITCH-" because it was not frightening at all and the film's technical aspecs was terrible. "THE RING" was very well made and yes, there were moments that gave me 'goose bumps' but the premise of the story was weak and lacking. The original Japanese version, "RINGU" was just released on DVD for the first time and I watched a rental copy last night. After I saw the "THE RING" in a theatre, I wished I had an opportunity to watch the Japanese film because many critics who have seen both said the original was much better. I am very sorry to have to disagree because the American remake was almost faithful to the original and due to the fact that I did not enjoy the remake, I also did not like the original for the very same reasons. The quality of the Japanese version released to theatres in Japan by Toho was excellent on the new DVD and so was the 5.1 sound remix from the original theatrical Dolby Stereo version. I do not think the remix was a Dolby EX mix but the rear speaker was very active especially when the sound of the phone ringing for the first time came from my rear surround speaker. If you enjoyed "THE RING" in theatres, you should enjoy "RINGU" even more because the mood of the story is better suited to the Japanese setting.

-Claude

Posted by Pravin Ratnam (Member # 1417) on 03-08-2003, 04:38 PM:

I enjoyed the movie The Ring. The kid did get on my nerves and I really felt like smacking him when he says something to his mom towards the end. People in the theater were letting loose gasps during the famous scene in the movie.

I thought it was a pretty enjoyable movie. I will rent the RINGU DVD soon.

Posted by Elena N. Solovyova (Member # 1636) on 03-10-2003, 03:24 AM:

I saw "Ringu" several years ago at a theatre -- it was shown as a part of "Contemporary Japanese cinema" festival program showings here. Print subtitled in Russian (property of Japanese embassy).

I think the suspence was unprecedented. A first terrifying (not "spooky") movie in maybe 10 years.

The quality of Japanese cinematography was that made "Ringu" a masterpiece of its own, and the mystic beauty of the image is lost in Hollywood version. Nevertheless, I think that "The Ring" is a faitful remake of a brilliant film.