Note that this isn't the original RING but the Korean remake...
If the Americans can remake Hideo Nakata's masterpiece RINGU, why can't the Koreans? THE RING VIRUS follows the familiar story of a reporter who must unravel the secret behind a mysterious videotape that kills anyone who watches it exactly seven days later - before her own seven days are up. She's helped in her unenviable task by a fellow cursee, a doctor whose fatal misjudgement years earlier has led to him being outcast.
THE RING VIRUS isn't exactly a shot-for-shot remake of RINGU but it is much truer to its inspiration than the US version. Most differences are only material, such as the reporter's child being a girl instead of a boy, her helper being a disgraced doctor rather than an ex-husband, and the telekinetic girl having the name Eun-Sul and not Sadako.
An attempt is made to shed light on Eun-Sul's life - which I admire - but the underlying sexual tone is somewhat out of place. Eun-Sul's first reported killing, for example, is of a man spying on her taking a shower (well, not just spying...) and her eventual death is linked to an outdoor sex scene. Isn't this too far a stretch? The director has also - whether intentionally or not - devoid this entirely of suspense; resulting in a huge anti-climax whenever Eun-Sul claims another victim.
Acting is fine if not outstanding but THE RING VIRUS is ultimately disappointing and fails to live upto its incredibly promising potential. If you're a fan of the RING saga this is probably compulsive viewing anyway but otherwise, this isn't recommended. Go watch RINGU again instead. ** / *****
If the Americans can remake Hideo Nakata's masterpiece RINGU, why can't the Koreans? THE RING VIRUS follows the familiar story of a reporter who must unravel the secret behind a mysterious videotape that kills anyone who watches it exactly seven days later - before her own seven days are up. She's helped in her unenviable task by a fellow cursee, a doctor whose fatal misjudgement years earlier has led to him being outcast.
THE RING VIRUS isn't exactly a shot-for-shot remake of RINGU but it is much truer to its inspiration than the US version. Most differences are only material, such as the reporter's child being a girl instead of a boy, her helper being a disgraced doctor rather than an ex-husband, and the telekinetic girl having the name Eun-Sul and not Sadako.
An attempt is made to shed light on Eun-Sul's life - which I admire - but the underlying sexual tone is somewhat out of place. Eun-Sul's first reported killing, for example, is of a man spying on her taking a shower (well, not just spying...) and her eventual death is linked to an outdoor sex scene. Isn't this too far a stretch? The director has also - whether intentionally or not - devoid this entirely of suspense; resulting in a huge anti-climax whenever Eun-Sul claims another victim.
Acting is fine if not outstanding but THE RING VIRUS is ultimately disappointing and fails to live upto its incredibly promising potential. If you're a fan of the RING saga this is probably compulsive viewing anyway but otherwise, this isn't recommended. Go watch RINGU again instead. ** / *****