I finally saw RINGU . . .

[indianasmith]

I am a huge fan of THE RING.  For me, it was one of the first horror movies in a long time that just really and truly creeped me out, and it has become a standard I judge scary movies by - did this movie scare me like THE RING did?  Bu for a long time, I have heard the folks on this forum and elsewhere say that RINGU is superior to the American version, across the board.  So, this weekend, I rented and watched it.

Had I seen it first, I think it would have been much more effective.  But knowing how the  plot was going to go, I frankly found it to be a less effective movie across the board. Good, yes, but not nearly as scary.    I think the American film was more tempered to what scares a Western audience.

Any other opinions on the two films compared?

[Doggett]

Like you, I saw the remake first and loved it. If I didn't, I wouldn't have gone to see the original, but...
I prefers the original.
I love the weird dream like quality to it, the fact nothing gets explained.
So spooky....
I find Sadako scarier than Samara.
It's shorter.
Intrestingly, most people prefer the version they see first. But both are well worth the watch.

And don't get me stared on comparing the sequals !
The don't even come close !

[Jim H]

I still haven't seen all of Ringu.  I ended up watching a big chunk of the middle and saw the end for some reason (I literally can't remember why).

However, I was not overly impressed with The Ring.  I thought it was creepy and effective at times, and little else.  From what I saw of it, I'd say I did like the original more - but I think in large part this is because I didn't like the main characters in the remake much, and thought most of the acting was just OK in the remake.  I also thought the ending in the remake over long and too detailed, as compared to the more interesting original's ending.  So, from what I've seen of the original, I'd say I like it more.  But to be honest, I didn't like it a great deal either. 

[JaseSF]

The Ring is like a dumbed down, explain everything version of the original Ringu which leaves a lot more for the viewer to figure out on his/her own. Wasn't that the whole point of the Americanized version because they didn't think the average moviegoer would get the jist of the film otherwise?

[indianasmith]

I don't know that it was "dumbed down" . . . there was a lot that never was explained.  I like the way they extended the mystery, as the central characters tried to figure out where the video came from before its time was up . . . and some of the additions, like the horse on the ferryboat freaking out and going overboard, and Samorrah's father electrocuting himself . . .those were horrifically awesome!


However, I do agree that the sequel is a true cinematic turd that should have been flushed BEFORE it ever emerged from Hollywood's bowels!

[Chainsawmidget]

You say "dumbed down" I call it being "fleshed out". 

[Joe the Destroyer]

I like both films for different reasons.  I still haven't seen the Korean remake, The Ring Virus, but I've heard it's the least good/worst of the three, depending on who you ask.

[JaseSF]

Oh I admit there are parts to The Ring I enjoy. I liked the bits you described Indiana (the Horse, the electrocution) but I did feel like things were more explained to viewers in this version and it never left me with the same sense of impending dread I had when I watched Ringu which I recall bothering me for days afterwards. Yes I did catch Ringu first and I have to admit it's been some time since last I saw it. I think I preferred that less was explained outright.

[The Burgomaster]

I prefer RINGO:

[AndyC]

I prefer RINGO:

He was truly horrifying in Sextette.


I have to agree with those who liked Ringu better. I saw The Ring first, and I liked it. But even knowing the basic plot, the Japanese original just seemed creepier to me. I liked that they didn't feel a need to explain as much, or to give the kid a malevolent motivation. Sadako isn't eeeevil. She is what she is, and her origins and motives for killing remain a mystery that I found very Lovecraftian. And I also thought Sadako was generally more unsettling to watch than Samara.