Rattling

Rating: Null/10 (16 November 2002)

Having seen the impressive "Ringu" first, I was quite against it being remade into an English version because I thought it would not have the same intensity as "Ringu" did. However, as the positive reviews came in, I began to warm to the idea. So, last night, with a friend in tow, I went to see Gore Verbinski's latest cinematic effort... and I was very pleasently surprised with the result.
Although it starts off in the style of a teen kill movie, it swiftly takes a left turn and delves into a darker, more intense movie. Verbinski's expert directing and the neat work from the cast really had me compelled throughout the entire movie. Naomi Watts, of the "Mulholland Drive" fame delivers a solid portrayal of a diligent and intelligent journalist Rachel Keller who, at the same time is not exactly the most attentive mother of her son, Aidan (David Dorfman). However, her attitude and priorities change when, investigating the shocking and mysterious death of her niece, she watches a video tape that her niece and her boyfriend watched 7 days prior to their deaths. Rachel is skeptical, but at the same time very curious as to how a video tape can herald the death of anyone who watches it. After watching the notorious and disturbing tape, Rachel recieves a deadly phone call notifying Rachel of imminent death within 7 days. From there, it becomes a race against time for Rachel, and when Aidan and her ex-lover Noah (Martin Henderson) watches the video, her search becomes more frantic. As they piece together the clues as to what the images in the tape mean and how to avert their deaths, Rachel discovers all is not what it seems.
I enjoyed this movie thoroughly. Although it did not have the EXACT same intensity as "Ringu" this film was chock-a-block full of suspense and did not rely on liberal use of gore, swearing and T&A unlike other "horror" films. The chief characters in this film are nicely fleshed out by their respective actors and actresses that I actually felt for them in the various situations that they encounter.
Out of 5, I give "The Ring": ****