Creepy, even if flawed

Rating: 7/10 (11 June 2004)

Coming at the end as no more than good Friday night fare, "The Ring" is, even so, a scary movie. Since we can't talk about originality (this is a remake), our attention focuses on the way the concept is handled. As a horror movie, it has a great idea to watch: a cursed tape, which kills anyone who sees it in seven days. Naomi Watts comes across the tape, and the story unfolds, revealing finally that such original concept wouldn't survive for long. Soon, the formula comes roaring, and you'll start to see some clichés (face it - ever since "Shining" we have seen endless times a creepy girl with a covered-up face that says "you're gonna die" or something like that). Even so, it manages to twist a little and to get some surprises. I was glad to see that they didn't repeat the "screeching orchestra" gag too many times, which is always nerve-challenging. It's basically a classy horror movie, that doesn't extend on the gore and the guts, and wisely relies on the unseen to help us take it seriously.