Who said this movie was scarier than the "Exorcist"?!?!

Rating: 9/10 (5 March 2003)

Ok.....some of you kiddies who have seen this movie are probably not going to like this but "The Ring" doesn't hold a CANDLE to "The Exorcist". We're not even talking the same sport here, let alone the same ballpark. After all the hype and all the stories going around that this movie is as scary as or scarier than the "Exorcist, I decided to let my daughter go out an buy it since I'm a BIG horror/Sci-fi fan. I popped in the DVD and we were on our way. The first scene, poorly acted, by two teenagers was the first omen that I was NOT going to like this movie. I don't mind "campy" or "corny" horror movies provided that they're not hailed as "the horror movie event of the century" or "The scariest movie ever made".
In any event, After the opening scene, I decided to give it a chance before leaving the room. Well, I'll tell ya what......when she opened that door with the water leaking out from under it to reveal the TV playing that water well in black and white and the camera RUSHED at her face.....I nearly poopied in my pants!!! (LOL).

"Ok" , I thought...."you got my attention!!" That was ONE of the three, maybe four scary scenes throughout the entire movie. Enter Naomi Watts.......Where did this girl/woman get her license to act!??!?!........In a cracker jack box!??!!? MY GOD, MAN.....she was absolutely horrible! SO bad, in fact, that she ruined the entire movie in my opinion. Ok.....so there's more bad acting. I figure, what the heck, let me finish it because I really have to see what everyone is talking about. And besides, that opening scene was really something.

She watches the tape and blah blah blah.....she tries to figure out what's going on with the death of her niece and more blah blah blah......Then there's a horse that escapes from his container on a ferry boat and jumps in the water and more blah blah blah.....THEN, she finds Brian Cox, who by the way, played in "Manhunter" aka "Red Dragon", the first Hannibal Lecter. He's a GREAT actor and it was a pleasure to watch him. He's no Anthony Hopkins, mind you, but still a great actor.
Anyway, moving right along here.......Instead of telling you what happens and giving away scenes, I'll just tell you that, overall, this is a VERY decent thriller despite the horrible acting and slow scenes inbetween the scary ones. The moments in this movie that are scary, are TRULY HORRIFYING. I'll give 'em that one! There's a scene near the mid-end where her ex is watching the TV and Samara starts to emerge from the well. OH MY GOD! That's All I'm going to say! If THAT doesn't raise the hair off your skin, nothing will!

It's just a shame that this movie wasn't done a little better. It COULD have easily been as scary as the Exorcist but the poor acting and holes in the plot prevented it. Again, the foundation is there for a brilliant thriller/horror movie but it just didn't make the grade. I'll give it 7 out of 10 for the really creepy scenes that were truly horrifying. I just get upset when you have all the makings of a GREAT movie and then poor acting and holes in the plot ruin it. And as always, I hope I haven't offended anyone. The younger crowd my absolutely LOVE this movie as my daughter did.