More of a mystery than horror but still good

Rating: Null/10 (9 March 2003)

Other than maybe 4 separate situations during the movie , i wouldn't really characterize this film as a horror but more of a thriller /mystery.Not saying that's bad being overall , i enjoyed this film.
( SPOILERS AHEAD ).. The beginning 10 minutes of the film reminded me to much of the movie Scream so with that said i didnt enjoy maybe the first 10 to 12 minutes of the film on shear unoriginality IMO.Now i will credit the movie a little where other people I spoke to downplayed the movie , which is the beginning middle parts of the movie where we have Naomi Watts(Rachel) watching the videotape and having to find out the origin of the tape which i actually liked. The scenery is beautiful and the clues Naomi searches out add to the drama of the film.Again I took all of this as more of a drama than a horror being I was trying to guess the whole time instead of jumping or getting chills.There are many scenes which stand out in my head even when i am not even thinking of the movie.That alone is a reason to see this film.Rachel's son's demeanor and glare throughout the film were a welcomed presence, that definitely added to the movie.The end i felt overall was a little corny being Samarah just wanted to be heard and that is why ultimately Rachel and her son don't die , being that Rachel made a copy and showed it to her ex beau and later has her son make a copy so he also survives.In my eyes being heard doesnt mean making copies of a video tape and showing it to people when the tape had no real answers from Samarah anyway , so how is she being heard ? But i won't go any further on why i didn't like the film being the scenery and the mystery of the tape make this film a stand out .Overall id give it a 7.5 - 10 not .Some flaws but not enough to bring the movie down , go see this