06-20-2025, 03:26 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-20-2025, 03:36 PM by HaughtyFrank.)
The Ring, The Ring 2
Figured I might finally get those off my watch list. Never saw them back in 2000 but unavoidably knew a lot about them already just through sheer cultural osmosis so I was always a bit curious if they deserved the hype.
The Ring 1 was great, right away big choice with the extreme color grading that creates a wonderful atmosphere. A whole lot of the visual language also still feels quite modern and I'd say in some ways you can see the groundwork being laid for A24 Type horror movies here. Generally pretty low on the gore and more about a moody atmosphere.
Now the Ring 2 felt like a total whiplash, gone was the color grading and the whole movie had a more... old school vibe. Looked up that the sequel was made by the director of the original Japanese movies which I guess explains that change, and while I like the idea of giving the reigns to the original creator I think it was the wrong move here as it keeps the western adaptions from being consistent. Generally a bit more CGI focus here, with some cool moments like the floating bathwater scene but overall a much weaker narrative and atmosphere. I checked the ratings later online and was not surprised to see that the sequel was critically maligned.
Some day I'll probably check out the original Japanese one which I believe some people say is the best version.
Oh, also Naomi Watts is such a beauty, I mean godamn.
Figured I might finally get those off my watch list. Never saw them back in 2000 but unavoidably knew a lot about them already just through sheer cultural osmosis so I was always a bit curious if they deserved the hype.
The Ring 1 was great, right away big choice with the extreme color grading that creates a wonderful atmosphere. A whole lot of the visual language also still feels quite modern and I'd say in some ways you can see the groundwork being laid for A24 Type horror movies here. Generally pretty low on the gore and more about a moody atmosphere.
Now the Ring 2 felt like a total whiplash, gone was the color grading and the whole movie had a more... old school vibe. Looked up that the sequel was made by the director of the original Japanese movies which I guess explains that change, and while I like the idea of giving the reigns to the original creator I think it was the wrong move here as it keeps the western adaptions from being consistent. Generally a bit more CGI focus here, with some cool moments like the floating bathwater scene but overall a much weaker narrative and atmosphere. I checked the ratings later online and was not surprised to see that the sequel was critically maligned.
Some day I'll probably check out the original Japanese one which I believe some people say is the best version.
Oh, also Naomi Watts is such a beauty, I mean godamn.