"All I Ever Wanted Was You!"...

Rating: 10/10 (4 November 2019)

Director, Gore Verbinski's THE RING is that rare PG-13 film that manages to be far more than just another mass-appeal project, geared toward huge profits. It's a straight-forward, supernatural horror movie that was created to accomplish one objective: to scare the hell out of us. This, it does. Verbinski did this by taking the original Japanese version (RINGU), bringing it west, and "Americanizing" it without lessening any of the impact of the story. If anything, he enhanced it. The entire movie is set in almost non-stop rain and gloom, w/ a bleak musical score to match! The events, no matter how unbelievable, are terrifying nonetheless. Such paranormal tales are difficult to pull off, easily falling into the realm of far-fetched nonsense. Not in this case, since this was written for adults, in spite of its rating. Casting Naomi Watts (MULHOLLAND DR., EASTERN PROMISES) as Rachel was pure genius. As the investigative reporter, she brings seriousness and authenticity to the role. As Rachel's life slowly spirals deeper into some unknown abyss, she desperately tries to solve the mystery surrounding that which now endangers not only her life, but the lives of those she cares for most. Watts pulls this off with not a hint of irony. Everyone else is also great, including Martin Henderson as Noah and David Dorfman as young Aidan. Brian Cox is very good as the haunted, ill-fated Richard Morgan. Highly recommended for those in need of a fix of creeping dread...