Ah, the "Ringu" series. (Also known as the "Ring" series.) Very loosely based on the wonderful horror/Sci-fi novels of Koji Suzuki, the franchise became a phenomena in the late 90's and early 2000's. In part because of the strength of the original film, and because it's one of the few films to get the Western remake treatment and actually come out all the stronger for it. As the remake not only was a good, quality film, but increased worldwide awareness for its source material, paving the way for more audiences to discover the terrifying and exquisitely well-made original film.
What many people don't realize, though, is that this sequel ("Ringu 2") isn't the first attempt at a follow-up to the original film. No, it's actually technically the second sequel. An original follow-up, "Rasen" was released alongside the first "Ringu" in Japan, to a lukewarm, underwhelming reception. While it stayed somewhat truer to the original Suzuki novels, "Rasen" did clash with the first film stylistically and tonally, giving the series a bigger lean on science fiction. (And the novels definitely are science fiction, though the first film made some alterations to accommodate a more classical ghost- story.) And it didn't sit well with people.
So "Rasen" was quietly eschewed from the continuity of the movie- series and became a relatively "forgotten" film, while this follow-up was made and basically marketed as the "true sequel."
And to be honest... I have to say that in the grand scheme of things, while definitely more in line with the first film from a tonal and stylistic standpoint, I think that this film isn't necessarily any better than "Rasen." Both are quality-made movies with good performances and great direction. (And heck, both even share a common lead character.) But both also have some issues with their wonky scripts. Both try to introduce new concepts that sort of clash with the first entry in the series, and both have their share of moments that will leave audiences scratching their heads and letting out an audible... "Huh?! What?"
"Ringu 2" follows Mai Takano (Miki Nakatani), the young assistant of Ryuji Takayama, as she attempts to solve the mystery of his death. She eventually encounters survivors Reiko Asakawa (Nanako Matsushima), Ryuji's former wife, and their son Yoichi (Rikiya Otaka). Yoichi, it seems, has inherited some sort of twisted psychic abilities following the events of the first film. Strange abilities that make him dangerous... even potentially lethal. And it is up to Takano to try and solve the mystery of what is happening, and to help save the life of Yoichi from the tormented spirit of the vengeful Sadako Yamamura.
I feel that for the most part, the performances are quite good. As they are in most of the films of this franchise. Nakatani is absolutely charming as our new lead, with her role greatly expanded from the first film. (And ironically enough, she was also the star of the "forgotten" sequel "Rasen." She obviously made quite the impression to be hired back to reprise her role again, and it shows!) Matsushima is wonderful here, much as she was in the first film, albeit with a smaller role this time around. Still, she is able to leave an impression and build off of the audiences love for her character from the first time film. And for a child actor, Otaka is quite talented... even if it's hard to take him as a credible threat thanks to his character's newfound psychic powers. (In scenes where he's meant to be threatening, I wanted to reach in through the TV and pinch his cheeks, because he was just a bit too cute to be frightening.)
Direction courtesy of Hideo Nakata (who directed the first film) is top-notch. I went to some effort to explain his expert work in my review for the first film, but it bears repeating- Nakata is an absolute master of good, creepy, subtle horror. Even though his films are fairly hit-and-miss, the man knows how to tell a good story and deliver absolute frights. And from a directorial standpoint, he doesn't disappoint here.
Unfortunately, what does disappoint is the script by Hiroshi Takahashi. And it's a shame, because there are some wonderful ideas. And the opening sequence- an eerie little diddy in which we discover that Sadako supposedly was alive inside of her well-prison for thirty years before she died- does set a great tone of dread, horror and intrigue. But the film doesn't maintain itself. I honestly thought that opening sequence was arguably the most frightening scene between the first two films, because the implications are just so dastardly and frightening to comprehend, and I feel this movie peaks afterwords. Now, I'm not saying the script is terrible. Characters are well-developed and the pacing is good. But there aren't any other truly eerie moments, save for one or two good scares near the end.
I also felt that Takahashi's script went to some interesting but unfullfilling places with the story. Much like "Rasen", there is a slight Sci-Fi leaning here (albeit nowhere near as much of a leaning), and it just doesn't quite work. I also felt that the plot line involving Yoichi's psychic abilities wasn't developed quite enough, and the stakes weren't quite as high as they could have been.
But despite those pretty big issues with the script, I do find myself enjoying this film quite a bit. It doesn't quite "work" as a horror film, and things don't gel properly, but it's undeniably well-made and well-acted, and the moments that do work, work exceedingly well.
I'm giving this a pretty-good 7 out of 10. If you're a fan of the original film, then most definitely this is one to check out. You might end up loving it. But for those unfamiliar with the franchise, or those who were not thrilled with the original film, this is one you can probably skip.
What many people don't realize, though, is that this sequel ("Ringu 2") isn't the first attempt at a follow-up to the original film. No, it's actually technically the second sequel. An original follow-up, "Rasen" was released alongside the first "Ringu" in Japan, to a lukewarm, underwhelming reception. While it stayed somewhat truer to the original Suzuki novels, "Rasen" did clash with the first film stylistically and tonally, giving the series a bigger lean on science fiction. (And the novels definitely are science fiction, though the first film made some alterations to accommodate a more classical ghost- story.) And it didn't sit well with people.
So "Rasen" was quietly eschewed from the continuity of the movie- series and became a relatively "forgotten" film, while this follow-up was made and basically marketed as the "true sequel."
And to be honest... I have to say that in the grand scheme of things, while definitely more in line with the first film from a tonal and stylistic standpoint, I think that this film isn't necessarily any better than "Rasen." Both are quality-made movies with good performances and great direction. (And heck, both even share a common lead character.) But both also have some issues with their wonky scripts. Both try to introduce new concepts that sort of clash with the first entry in the series, and both have their share of moments that will leave audiences scratching their heads and letting out an audible... "Huh?! What?"
"Ringu 2" follows Mai Takano (Miki Nakatani), the young assistant of Ryuji Takayama, as she attempts to solve the mystery of his death. She eventually encounters survivors Reiko Asakawa (Nanako Matsushima), Ryuji's former wife, and their son Yoichi (Rikiya Otaka). Yoichi, it seems, has inherited some sort of twisted psychic abilities following the events of the first film. Strange abilities that make him dangerous... even potentially lethal. And it is up to Takano to try and solve the mystery of what is happening, and to help save the life of Yoichi from the tormented spirit of the vengeful Sadako Yamamura.
I feel that for the most part, the performances are quite good. As they are in most of the films of this franchise. Nakatani is absolutely charming as our new lead, with her role greatly expanded from the first film. (And ironically enough, she was also the star of the "forgotten" sequel "Rasen." She obviously made quite the impression to be hired back to reprise her role again, and it shows!) Matsushima is wonderful here, much as she was in the first film, albeit with a smaller role this time around. Still, she is able to leave an impression and build off of the audiences love for her character from the first time film. And for a child actor, Otaka is quite talented... even if it's hard to take him as a credible threat thanks to his character's newfound psychic powers. (In scenes where he's meant to be threatening, I wanted to reach in through the TV and pinch his cheeks, because he was just a bit too cute to be frightening.)
Direction courtesy of Hideo Nakata (who directed the first film) is top-notch. I went to some effort to explain his expert work in my review for the first film, but it bears repeating- Nakata is an absolute master of good, creepy, subtle horror. Even though his films are fairly hit-and-miss, the man knows how to tell a good story and deliver absolute frights. And from a directorial standpoint, he doesn't disappoint here.
Unfortunately, what does disappoint is the script by Hiroshi Takahashi. And it's a shame, because there are some wonderful ideas. And the opening sequence- an eerie little diddy in which we discover that Sadako supposedly was alive inside of her well-prison for thirty years before she died- does set a great tone of dread, horror and intrigue. But the film doesn't maintain itself. I honestly thought that opening sequence was arguably the most frightening scene between the first two films, because the implications are just so dastardly and frightening to comprehend, and I feel this movie peaks afterwords. Now, I'm not saying the script is terrible. Characters are well-developed and the pacing is good. But there aren't any other truly eerie moments, save for one or two good scares near the end.
I also felt that Takahashi's script went to some interesting but unfullfilling places with the story. Much like "Rasen", there is a slight Sci-Fi leaning here (albeit nowhere near as much of a leaning), and it just doesn't quite work. I also felt that the plot line involving Yoichi's psychic abilities wasn't developed quite enough, and the stakes weren't quite as high as they could have been.
But despite those pretty big issues with the script, I do find myself enjoying this film quite a bit. It doesn't quite "work" as a horror film, and things don't gel properly, but it's undeniably well-made and well-acted, and the moments that do work, work exceedingly well.
I'm giving this a pretty-good 7 out of 10. If you're a fan of the original film, then most definitely this is one to check out. You might end up loving it. But for those unfamiliar with the franchise, or those who were not thrilled with the original film, this is one you can probably skip.