If you haven't seen this American remake of the Japanese film, Ringu, I highly recommend adding this one to your DVD collection (which is what I would have done, myself, but I was desperate one night for something new to watch on TV ... Pay-Per-View would have to do). The Ring made a lot of claims during the film's release, as being scarier than "The Sixth Sense." My problem with that statement was that I didn't consider The Sixth Sense particularly scary. To me, that film was thought-provoking with a slow, dark pace that created a building tension until it's mind-blowing climax. Usually, I can guess how a story is going to turn out, long before it's conclusion. In the case of The Sixth Sense, I didn't ... and I kept kicking myself that "I shoulda known THAT!!!"

No matter what you think, while watching The Ring, you will NOT be able to guess the ending ... just ride this one out folks.

The Ring did have far more "scary" elements. Elements that I found more creepy and disturbing, than having a monster JUMP out at you type "scary." These are the type of "scary" that lingers with you, long after the film has ended. And The Ring is the kind of film that could inspire nightmares (if you are prone to that sort of thing ... and I thank the film gods that I don't). The producers mentioned something about knowing they did their job, IF they could cause viewers to loose their lunches. And I must admit, some of the images, no matter how brief they might be, are disturbing enough to inspire the "tossing of the cookies" with viewers (if you have a sensitive tummy, you might wanna pass on this one, unless you survived Hannibal and The Exorcist).

I honestly can't remember the last film that had me thinking about it so much afterward. Not that this film would even be in what I would publish as my Top Ten films in the horror genre . But the film still bothered me ... disturbed me in the way I HOPED The Blair Witch Project would (and didn't, even though I bought the damn video). Needless-to-say, this is one of the most unique presentations of Horror, you will ever see.

You might be asking me to tell you what "The Ring" actually is ... I won't, but the actual "ring" will be explained to you. It's the rest of this story that will leave you asking a few questions. I won't be able to say much here, as far as the plot goes, just for the sake that I want you to watch this one as I did, with as little beforehand detail than could be given in a trailer. Normally, I can carve out enough juicy information for my previews to get folks excited about a new film release. And in the case of "reviewing" a film, I rarely have to leave but the few zingers any given story has ... but this is a rare find in film.

The Ring begins with two young teens, Katie and Rebecca, sitting around the house alone late one night. One begins to tease the other about the newest "urban legend" ... a disturbing video tape, that immediately after one watches it, receives a phone call saying simply this - "you will Die in 7 Days." Pretty nifty as a practical joke, and as these two young women torture each other in the opening scenes, you are never quite sure what the deal is about this tape. But you will.

The rest of the film continues in an uneasy rhythm. Few films can get away with it in this genre. But you will find yourself quietly watching as this story unfolds. Unsettling, is the best feeling I can describe for it.

The cast is generally fresh, with a few key veterans filling it out:

• Rachel Keller, reporter and single mother - Naomi Watts (Tank Girl, Bermuda Triangle, Children of the Corn 4, and will return next year in The Ring 2)
• Aidan Keller, son drawing strange pictures - David Dorfman (Galaxy Quest, the 2003 version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and the upcoming mini series, A Wrinkle in Time)
• Noah Clay, ex-boyfriend - New Zealand TV star, Martin Henderson
  
• Katie - Amber Tamblyn (currently starring in CBS's new hit, Joan of Arcadia)
• Rebecca - Rachael Bella (The Crucible, The Devil's Child)
  
• Samara Morgan, the little girl who will make everyone suffer - Daveigh Chase (the amazing sleeper, Donnie Darko, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, and of course, the voice of Lilo from all incarnations of Lilo & Stitch)
• Anna Morgan, the mother - Shannon Cochran (Star Trek: Nemesis)
• Richard Morgan, the father - Brian Cox (the original Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter, Rob Roy, Braveheart, X-Men 2, and next year's Troy)
  
• Dr. Grasnik - Jane Alexander (Testament)

Before completing this review, I caught 1998 Japanese film, Ringu. I hate to recommend this, but I suggest watching the American version, first. For more about Ringu, and why I feel the American version should be viewed beforehand - Please Click Here for the Ringu review.

For more on the US version, check out the creepy web site:

http://www.ring-themovie.com/