A fun screening, but not a great film.

Rating: Null/10 (16 October 2002)

I saw a special screening of "The Ring" tonight here in Bloomington, IN. The promos for the film have looked promising for the genre. The movie does not hide a bad story behind star power and hokey gimmicks; the plot is clear from the get go: After watching a videotape a person dies after seven days.

The film starts with a 16-year girl (who appears older) admitting to her friend that she went away for the weekend with another couple and her secret boyfriend. At a small "resort" the girl and friends view a videotape full of creepy, seemingly meaningless images -- including, you guessed it--A RING! After the tape was done playing, the girl explains that she received a phone call stating that she will die in "seven days." The event occured a week ago, and, well...I'm sure you can predict what happens. That's right! The girl, along with the other friends who viewed the tape, die at 10 p.m.
Then Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts), the protagonist, is introduced. Rachel is the first victim's aunt, a newspaper writer. Rachel is introduced as a bad mother, often forgetting about her son, Aidan (David Dorfman), who was very close to his cousin (the girl who died). Rachel finds out about the videotape, watches it herself, and sets off on a quest to find the tape's origin. She receives help from her ex-lover, and Aidan's dad, Noah (Martin Henderson). The film goes from there. Go see it to find out what happens.

Watts' acting is extremely one-dimensional, especially at the beginning of the film. Her character is depicted as a cynical mom who really doesn't care for much--including her niece's death until she starts finding clues. Her sudden interest was not consistent with what is first presented -- bad character development.
Henderson played the stereotypical dad who isn't there for his kid, but wants to get involved. His love for his ex-lover is rekindled as he tries to solve the mystery with her...I didn't see that coming. His acting was the best in the film.
Dorfman, the creepy kid, was portraying a 40-year-old man in an 8-year old body. He ties his own tie, ponders death, overpronounces every word, and calls his mom by her real name. The kid also sees creepy images and draws pictures of them atop his Magna-Doodle (r) and yes, he sees dead people. The character is never fully developed over the course of the film. A twisted take off "The Sixth Sense."
The movie is directed by Gore Verbinski, who does a nice job. Verbinski tries desperately, at times, to use abstract shots (no, I don't mean the abstract images that are seen on the video tape). Many extended shots are used, leaving, in my opinion, the symbolism per shot ratio a little too high. Every time an item from the tape is shown, Verbinski uses a flashback to identify exactly where the object was in the haunting video. Personally, I thought they were a little too much. I expected, from the previews, a Fight Club-esque directing style, also (remember, from the preview, the camera "journeys into" the video cassette, showing what's inside), but I was wrong.
Overall, this movie beats out "horror" films from the past decade by leaps and bounds. It's not a masterpiece, but it's worth the $8.00. Go see it -- it doesn't end when you think it does!