Post by cd on Jun 29, 2006 8:31:31 GMT
The Ring [Ringu]
Director: Hideo Nakata
Year: 1998
Run Time: 96 mins
Classification: 15
This is the original Japanese version which inspired an American remake. This is a much better, more realistic natural version and in my opinion is miles better than the re-make.
STORY:
A mysterious video which is floating around has a terrifying urban legend which follows it which states: "if you see this video, you will die". When people who have seen it suddenly start dying mysterious deaths, the legend becomes a true horrifying phenomenon.
The movie is extra creepy because it plays on your mind, and gets you thinking "oh my God, I'm about to see that video.. I'm going to die!", which was entirely the purpose of the picture. This brings the movie down to reality a lot more and makes the horror of the story more personal and real than any other motion picture.
CINEMATOGRAPHY:
The camera work is incredible, and the lighting (or lack of lighting) is superb. Trapped in the dark with the characters and nothing but creepy natural sounds, the feeling of claustrophobia sets in. Then, as the suspense builds up (so many times, and so well) - you start feeling utter terror come over you. The acting is very good too, and the old shoji / tatami style room gives this movie an added creepy feel to it.
This movie is so visually distrubing but in such a natural way. The special effects are astounding because they look so real and not ridiculously overly dramatic.
SOUND:
The sound is so natural all throughout this film, and there is very little music to distract your attention from the story and the characters. It works very well and almost gives the film a bit of a blair witch feel but on a professional level.
OVERALL:
Wow! This is the movie that woke me up to Japanese cinema! It's a horror that truly makes your blood curdle and feels very natural and very real all the way through to the end.
Rating: 5 / 5
SCREENSHOTS:
