A typical movie fan might not be aware of the term
“J-horror” but odds are they’ve seen at least one movie in that genre. Horror
fans on the other hand have loved these films and in particular the original versions
over their US made remakes. If you bother to take the time and view them you’ll
understand why. The original versions of J-horror (or Japanese horror) are
filled with disturbing images and subtle scares as opposed to the loud jump
scares US films tend to use. In doing so they offer a richer story being told
as well as nightmarish images that stay with you.
While movies in the genre have been around for years it was
in the late 1990s that they truly began to get noticed and US studios began
lifting their storylines. One of the first in this category was the film RINGU
which was remade as THE RING starring Naomi Watts. While that film was
enjoyable enough the real Japanese film was far more atmospheric. It also
spawned two sequels.
The series is being released from Arrow Video in THE RINGU
COLLECTION and for fans it is well worth tossing aside those old versions and
picking this one up. Not only are all three films here to enjoy but plenty of
extras are on hand as well. In addition to that it’s never looked better with a
new 4K restoration from the original camera negative, approved by director of
photography Junichiro Hayashi. The clarity is amazing to see.
If you’re unfamiliar with the films the first, RINGU, tells
the story of a group of teens who watch a video tape that is supposed to be
cursed. After viewing a phone will ring and tell the viewer that they only have
a week to live. A week later the teens begin dying off. A reporter looking into
the story follows the trail to the video tape and watches it only to fear for
her life. She recruits her ex-husband and psychic to aid her in discovering a
way to beat the curse and later finds her young son watching the tape as well.
With days to go until the curse if fulfilled, they rush to find out who the
girl is in the film. Her name is Sadako and scenes of her crawling out of the
TV as the tape plays will have your skin crawling. Will they find the answer in
time?
The second film picks up where the first left off so spoiler
alert is you haven’t seen them. Titled RING @ the woman from the first film and
her young son are being sought by the police after the death of her father and
ex-husband. Also seeking answers is her ex’s assistant. This film takes a
different turn as the young boy who survived has developed psychic abilities
like his father and is using them to help find a way to prevent Sadako from
taking more lives. But is he strong enough to do so?
Here is where the collection gets interesting and actually
adds a fourth film of sorts. The second film in the series was actually called
RASEN aka SPIRAL and based on the book that came next in the series that they
were based on. It didn’t do well at the box office and RING 2 was made to
follow up. But RASEN is included in this set as well. This one involved another
researcher who was friends with the ex-husband who looks into the cause of his
death and gets help from the assistant.
And then there is the last film in the series, RING-0:
BIRTHDAY. For me this was the least interesting as well as least frightening of
the films. Rather than a sequel this one is instead a prequel that takes place
30 years before the events in the first film. Much of the folklore found in the
first film is tossed aside and instead we have the story of Sadako in her teens
after her mother has died. Involved in a play mysterious things begin to happen
to other members of the cast that elevate Sadako to the lead role. The rest of
the cast thinks she’s odd because, well, she acts odd. Just why Sadako does
what she does in the first films is given more weight and just who and what she
is explained. Odds are you won’t guess what that is ahead of time.
I’d seen the US versions of the film before but never had
the opportunity to see these three. I’m glad that I did. The skill on display
here by all involved is breathtaking at times. Both the director and
cinematographer work hand in hand to create enough atmosphere without overdoing
it. And the screenwriter allows the story to unfold at a perfect pace to hold
your interest from start to finish.
But as I said Arrow Video has released this as a complete
set and they’ve done an amazing job of it. What else would you expect from
them? Not only are all four of these films included here but that ton of extras
I mentioned are as well. Those include a new audio commentary track on RINGU by
film historian David Kalat, a new audio commentary track on RINGU O by author
and film critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, THE RINGU LEGACY a series of
interviews from critics and filmmakers on their memories of the RINGU series
and its legacy, A VICIOUS CIRCLE a new video interview with author and critic
Kat Ellinger on the career of director Hideo Nakata, CIRCUMNAVIGATING RINGU a
new video essay by Ellinger on the evolution of the RINGU series, SPOOK SIGHS AND
VIDEOTAPE a new video essay by critic Jasper Sharp on the J-Horror phenomenon,
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF FEAR a newly edited archive interview with author Koji
Suzuki, archival behind the scenes featurette on RINGU O, RINGU O deleted
scenes, Sadako’s video, multiple theatrical trailers for the entire series, for
the first pressing only a limited edition 60 page booklet featuring new writing
from Violet Lucca, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Jasper Sharp, Kieran Fisher and
Kat Ellinger and a limited edition packaging featuring newly commissioned
artwork.
If you’ve never seen the films this is the best way possible
to do so. Movie fans will want to check it out. And horror fans will make this
a must have item for their shelves. Thank goodness once again for Arrow Video.
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