From Deseret News archives:

Ring Two, The

Published: Thursday, April 21, 2005 12:58 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
"The Ring" wasn't as scary so much as it was creepy. With its scenes of damp, dark and dank wells and other, similarly uninhabitable areas, it was a skin-crawling, chill-down-your-spine thriller.

The all-too-inevitable sequel, "The Ring Two," isn't so much creepy as it is weird — head-scratching, your-head-will-explode-if-you-think-about-it-too-much weird.

Unfortunately, weird horror isn't as rewarding as scary or creepy, and "The Ring Two" is definitely one of the bigger disappointments of late. The film's tone is also too aloof and cold, which may be what the filmmakers were going for, but it also makes it hard to warm to.

The action begins with journalist Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) and her son Aidan (David Dorfman) a few months after the events in the first movie. They've switched cities, from Seattle to that horror cliche — A Town Where Creepy Things Are Always Happening.

They're hoping the change will allow them to put their past horrors behind them, but it seems the evil ghost/entity Samara Morgan is still after them. In fact, some unfortunate teens in the area have already watched the cursed videotape and helped restore her powers.

Story continues below
Worse, Aidan is suffering nightmares that suggest Samara is trying to "become" him — to possess his body. So Rachel again begins digging into the past for clues, which she hopes will end Samara's threat once and for all.

Overall, this sequel marks an inauspicious American film debut for Japanese director Hideo Nakata, who also helmed the "Ringu" movies that inspired these U.S. versions. He definitely has an eye for striking imagery, such as scenes featuring bathtubs with water running up instead of down, but he's never able to build or sustain much in the way of tension.

Those problems are compounded by screenwriter Ehren Kruger's convoluted, confusing plotting, and the zombie-like performances of Watts and Dorfman, whose somewhat mature mannerisms make him sound like a cousin to the similarly creepy young actress Dakota Fanning.

This film also misuses Gary Cole, who has a funny, glorified cameo as a weasely Realtor, and Sissy Spacek, whose supporting role amounts to about five minutes of actual screen time.

"The Ring Two" is rated PG-13 for scenes of horror violence (including some animal and vehicular violence) and disturbing imagery, scattered use of profanity (including one usage of the so-called "R-rated" curse word), and some brief drug content (use of tranquilizers and a hypodermic needle). Running time: 111 minutes.


E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Movie Info
Rated PG13 for profanity, drug use.

Cast: Naomi Watts, David Dorfman, Simon Baker
FIND LOCAL MOVIE SHOWTIMES
Image
Gemma La Mana, Dreamworks Pictures

Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) and her son Aidan (David Dorfman) have moved to another city but find that the evil entity still pursues them.

previousnext

Latest comments

Gifts for gamers

There are some games I love not on your list. Arkham Asylum for one.

Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet

Our parents made my brothers help kill and clean our rabbits before we ate...

Why would you keep it open? I would understand if there was a lot of amazing...

The government will run our health care well? Read Reader's Digest, November...

BCS stable at top, Y. up to 14

TCU stomped on the MWC so they are naturally ready to crush Florida, Alabama...

Jazz win 6th in 7 games

could you understand Dave Locke any more than my mom does and she is not even...

Notre Dame fires Weis

Attending the ND/BYU game 3 years ago in south bend, a couple of things stuck...

I missed the game, actually i heard a little bit of Locke on the radio (man...

Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal

quotes were good: Article was dumb and unnecessary.

Understanding translation process

I believe the art depicting Joseph looking at the plates may possibly be...

Advertisements