South Korean Remake from 1999 It was entitled RING (but the export title was "The Ring Virus" and was a nice companion to the Japanese version with a few exceptions. The reporter has a daughter here, not a son. The reporter and coroner venture to Cheju Island (Gregg, you should know this, having dined on soem good 'ole shitpig there). I think it holds up. It was released BEFORE the original film version of the RING was released. In Korea, the original was billed as "RING ORIGINAL". The American movie changes a whole lot of stuff from what I've read. Being in Taiwan, it will be a bit before I can see it. Supposedly they plan to do a sequel that will differ significantly from the three Japanese follow-ups (RING 2, RING: O - aka RING: BIRTHDAY - and the THE SPIRAL). Congrats on getting a girl friend too! Watch it with her!!!   Oh - they are now remaking two of director Nakata Hideo's other films too (CHAOS and DON'T LOOK UP). Hollywood~! UGH posted by anon_SadakosBrotherOctober 23, 2002 at 15:48 [ e ]

saw the jpn version a few years ago... on a tape, no less, so that made it a bit more interesting experience. It was scary as hell indeed. I haven't seen the US version yet, but my friends told me it's just as scary if not more than the jpn version. Plus the improved effects and cinemagraphy made is a bit more engaging. posted by anon_dudeOctober 23, 2002 at 15:52 [ e ]

I like the US version I've seen both, and they're both good.  The kid in the remake is absolutely annoying and derivative of the kid in the sixth sense.  The effects are better in the remake, as is the general look of the film.  They added a scene on a ferry that is one of the best (maybe the best) in the film.  The pacing is less, uhh.. gradual.  What I mean is, some of the 7 days just fly by, whereas in the Japanese it was a slower build, if I remember correctly.  There's more of a "mystery" to be solved in the US version, but it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, so that's bad.  You should see it if dreamworks has the guts to release it in its native territory! posted by anon_HildagoOctober 28, 2002 at 15:36 [ e ]

U.S. Ring in Japan Yes, Ring is being released in Japan.  I'm not so sure it's guts by Dreamworks though because movies released in Japan are released through local companies.  Asmik Ace for example is the company releasing "the Ring" so they are probably the ones that decide if they think it will sell in Japan or not. Releasing "the Ring" here seems rather silly to me personally but over all Japan makes very very few good movies.  Ghibli is about it.  There are a few good *art house* movies like the Beat Takeshi movies and Shall We Dance and Tampopo and there are a few old classics like all the Akira Kurosawa stuff but in general the rest is pretty bad so the majority of movies here are foreign.  (Not that all foreign movies are good either.) posted by greggmanOctober 28, 2002 at 20:50 [ e ]

Japan one betta The Japanese one probably costs one tenth of the budget, but it got the same intensity across, US version while is a nice-looking piece of cinematography, but sometimes less is more. Americans are obsessed with the reason behind everything, stuff like - eh, like the ring is not like a telephone ring, but the ring of circle of evil and the well imagery that comes along with it. Eh, why seven days? oh dude! i know! U can only survive like seven days with water and no food (some poor studio sob must have pulled his hair out to come up with this one). Or in the last scene, where the hot mother makes her kid push record buttons on the VCR made me feel kinda stupid because like, dude, i GET that the curse got transfer by the tape because when she picked up the tape it had a huge sticker that says 'COPY' on it. Americans are obsessed with character building, this is the result of another round table studio discussion - "eh, so dudes and dudesses, like, what is the motivation behind the mother? And that father? Like the Japanese only had one line to imply they were married, what's up with that? I think I want the mother to be this super career chick, I think I want the dad to be this loser man-child who can't handle responsibilities, I think I want them holding hands after this horrific experience to express their coming together and reconciliation and have that stupid kid smile so thinking his stupid family is back together again only to ruin it all again and..."  Anyway, I enjoyed the US version, especially it made me wonder too why all those damn horses were dying since i saw the japanese version first and it had no horsie in it. It is interesting however to see how this movie is pitched in both countries, some definite cultural disparities there. The ring is a marketing success in US, but as a film, I much rather watch the low tech version and be shocked they can pull off the last scene to such reality. posted by anon_emateOctober 31, 2002 at 14:06 [ e ]

Scariest Movie in the History of Mankind The American version of The Ring was the scariest movie ever made.  I have never screamed in a theater before, and I have definitely seen my share of horror flicks, but at the end me and my friend were screaming a good ten seconds at the top of our lungs.  I have never been so scared in my life.  Samara is the most awful, horrible thing I ever expect to see, and one of my friends emailed me a picture of her walking all jerky, with her arms hanging down, and he was here when I opened it.  Instead of yelling at him or laughing, like he had hoped, I burst into tears and ran out of the room.  I will admit, it's kind of lame to get that worked up over a stupid movie, but something about this got to me and I haven't been the same since.  After we saw it, me and my friend went on this kick and rented as many scary movies as we could find, but we laughed through them.  The Exorcist was hilarious in comparison to The Ring.  Then we heard that The Ringu, the Japanese version of The Ring, was a million times scarier than this new one.  We got so excited and stayed up all night waiting for it to download, and were sooo scared when we sat down to watch it.  I'm sure many people will disagree with me when I say this, but that was the best comedy I've ever seen.  It was as though eight different guys all wrote parts of a story and then made the movie without even talking to each other.  And the part about draining the well bucket by bucket?  I laughed so hard I thought I was going to wet my pants.  I thought the character development lacked a lot, although that may just be a cultural thing.  I don't care which version you think is scarier, as long as you can get the same enjoyment I did out of some rendition of this haunting story, then I'm happy for you! posted by anon_studentJanuary 13, 2003 at 18:30 [ e ]

Japanese Version still the best! =)  I'm sorry but I think that the hollywood version was a bit of a drag and boring. It did not shock or scare me one bit. When I watched the original movie, it had an after effect on me.=) I remembered the whole theater giving a huge applause after the movie. There are scenes that really make u scream at the top of ur lungs. Plus the movie is shorter compared to the hollywood version. Even though the original movie was a low-budget film, you could see how it created a huge wave of discussion. No wonder its a major hit all over the world and being copied by other countries. Hollywood is getting annoying. Can't they be original? posted by anon_cutestuffJanuary 16, 2003 at 9:53 [ e ]

American version is not bad. I saw the original japanesse version a year ago and i think is a lot better than the American, but the american version is not bad. If you dont have seen this movie, bet for the japanese, itｴs a great movie. Greetings from Spain, GlassONionZ. posted by anon_GlassONionZJanuary 16, 2003 at 18:43 [ e ]

Japanese is still the best!!!! i reacently saw the american version of the ring and though it was very good considering how much they changed, BUT i still think the japanese version is far better, the story is very interesting and it did scare me alot so well done to the japanese for making i think the first film that has ever really left me feeling a bit uneasy alone in my house. well done!!! :) posted by anon_sadaFebruary 22, 2003 at 10:15 [ e ]

rubbish the acting in the japanese version was rubbish, compared with watching americans fannying about, which is quite natural watching... it was the woman in the jap version that got me (no not saddako, the main lady!), she has to be the lamest actress ever, in the universe! It bugs me that the american version makes no effort to tell the audience in the opening credits that the film is based on a japanese book or three posted by anon_dadakoFebruary 24, 2003 at 19:44 [ e ]

The Ring Is Way Better Than Ringu! I just rented both movies today, now that they're both out on DVD. While The Ring was , well, effectively scary, Ringu was, well, effectively disappointing. I'm totally serious. OK, I'm an American, so maybe I don't know what it takes to scare Japanese audiences, but the Japanese version was so underdone in every respect. Of course, that's not to say that American version was not overdone. It certainly was in the sense that the dead people's faces were disfigured to a point that they were laughable! I mean, I could've died laughing! Ha ha ha hee hee...GAG!!! The Japanese version, however, shows the victims' faces frozen with fright, mouths agape, eyes wide open. Bloodless, lifeless...again, I don't know what scares them, but the American version was definitely more effective. The plots of both, on the other hand, were well thought out. The Japanese version stood well on its own, and the American version, even with all the changes made, did make sense to me despite all the complaints about unanswered questions in the plot. posted by anon_danny7March 6, 2003 at 20:31 [ e ]

Japanese is way better Sorry if u prefer the American remake but I have 2 argree the Japanese Verson. I watch Ringu years ago n only watch Ring Remake only a while ago and I find the Japanese is better, better actting, more scarier, better names etc i only can say it better   American remake is OK but wasnn't as good as I thought would and wasnt scary at all . So If I were u watch RINGU NOT RING REMAKE posted by anon_GenYLunMarch 22, 2003 at 5:44 [ e ]

Ringu or the Ring? Well, I haven't seen the american version yet, but from what I saw from pictures and preview, the japanese seems way better. The original always tastes better. The actors/actresses do impress me, despite in some ov the reviews here some individuals disagree with it, the facial expressions ov the japanese are a MUST! Just loved Samara and her spectral monstrous presence. Ok, even if one couldn't see her face, we could freeze with fear towards her presence. A girl who became bad just because her father killed her in the welt? Don't think so. She was, without any shadow ov doubt, evil personified. It surely made her scarier. Isn't the final the scariest part? It gives me goosepumps each time I recall her morbid ascension from the welt. Ringu, defint. the best. posted by hxkraftApril 29, 2003 at 13:51 [ e ]

My 2 cents Japanese version of Ring is better. The american version totally ruined the "ending well scene", I can't go into details without ruining the movie for people so I won't, but they changed the whole vibe in the scene which basically removes the most original odd feeling of the Japanese movie. posted by anon_mrfunApril 30, 2003 at 8:12 [ e ]

AMERICAN I think the American version is all the better because the lead actors are AUSSIE AND NEW ZEALAND yah!!! That means they were really, really acting posted by anon_andyJune 1, 2003 at 1:51 [ e ]

Ringu vs The Ring K guys...which ever one you see first, you are going to think is better (in most cases). People who see the American one first are going to think the original seems campy and retro by comparison. People who see the Japanese one first are going to laugh at the technological changes they made to make the movie more modern, and puzzle over the plot differences.  I personally saw the Japanese one first, and then the american one later, and although the American one is good cinematically, I don't think the plot is as tight. Of course, I knew I probably wouldn't find it as scary, given that the two movies are so similar. But please don't diss the Japanese one, because remember that the Japanese filmmaker was the one that came up with the idea in the first place. "The Ring" (American) may seem brilliant, but it is only a copy of someone else's brilliant idea. posted by anon_ShortstackJune 2, 2003 at 14:17 [ e ]

I Can't Decide! What can I say, I have seen both of the films and think they are both amazingly well put together. The American version's cursed video without a doubt messed up my mind worse than the Japanese one.. But the Japanese had a very dark, sadistic evil atmousphere through the whole film, Not one little funny one-liner or anything unlike the American. I love both films... But for scaryness it would have to be the Japanese one, But if you get chance - Watch them both and you decide. As i cant!! :P posted by anon_HughJassJune 26, 2003 at 8:21 [ e ]

Personally, the Japanese one was scarier because it's more 'straight-up' fear; but the American version was a little different. I did not want to see the movie at the first place because it's a scary movie, and all of them would have the 'same' plot. Some claim they want to see 'scary' movies to get the chills. It's true that 'evil' is just part of human nature, and they say that it's okay to explore it. I think if we are exposed to many movies, we will believe things that are not true or happening, and they can make us either more creative or paranoid. That's why we call them 'entertainment,' so their existence is just to entertain and not to take them seriously as facts or 'truth.' Now we are confused and distracted. Back to the 'Ring,' story idea is great. Thanks to the writer. Japanese version - not question ask; American version - i think it's a great technique to hold or build my fear to the very end of the movie: making the 'Ring' the most thrilling movie for me by far. posted by anon_ringJuly 7, 2003 at 1:44 [ e ]

Ring/Ringu Well, I saw the Japanese version first and it terrified me. Not most of the film, because I found it a little too slow paced, but THAT TV scene *shivers*. But my friend said the US version was much scarier, so I got it out to watch the other night. I think in many ways, it was a better film, I liked the 'video' in the US version more than the Japanese one, and I also prefered the back story. However, I thought the Japanese one had parts that were a lot more effectively scary than the American one - where it payed to be subtle. These were the well scene, and the TV scene. I can't believe they cut away from the TV to the car in the US version, that completely spoilt the tension. In the Japanese version, it was the fact that she moved so very slowly that made it really shock you. The American one was just a little too overdone in places. The US one made me jump a lot more whilst watching, but it didn't freak me out like the Japanese one did. So yeah, they both have their individual merits. If you could somehow splice them both together, you'd have the perfect film, though both are great in their own ways. posted by anon_KelpieAugust 24, 2003 at 5:22 [ e ]

The JapanesE Version is the Best I have to say that even if both movies, Ringu and Ring Remake were both okay, Ringu was way more scarier that the Ring Remake or the American version. I think the Ring Remake has to give more credit to that Japanese Book, coz i didnt see any sign that said that this movie was based from a Japanese Book. so my point is, RINGU ROCKZ! (and chills!) posted by sadakosfriend_1102November 1, 2003 at 22:04 [ e ]

Ringu or The Ring??? Well, what nationality are you? Jap or Yankie? I saw the japanese version before the american version of the ring and I must say that it is hard to say which one is better. They are both different in their own ways. For people who are into anime and want to be spooked throughout the whole movie watch 'Ringu'. If you just want the shit scared out of you watch 'The Ring'. The american version is a bit far fetched. If I was going to be scared to death in seven days by some television zombie, I would just kill myself. Why would you go searching around trying to find out information about the mysterious tape? How would that help you in any way? The japanese version goes into much more depth and even though the american version has better acting, graphics and music, it has a shitty story line. posted by AlexianimefreakMay 27, 2004 at 5:08 [ e ]

american version of the ring is scarier know y? coz look try to compare how sadako or in english samara looks like in the american version the ring she looks a lot more scary and really frightening, showin half of her face, and look at the faces of her victims, arent they a lot more tortured by her?! and in the jap version quite boring coz the scary part only comes in the end and a lot of talk, but i confess jap version is not bad especially the ringu "the birthday" trust me american version is better... i watched ringu 0-2 not that bad its aight! posted by debraJuly 21, 2004 at 19:46 [ e ]

tell me give me one good reason y people like japan version better?!! u dont understand wat they're sayin unless ur jap, the setting is dark and they talk alot, u wont even get to see sadako's face but only her eye and u only see a quarter of her face, her victims look locally killed and scary parts only come in the end and not even that scary and long. one more thing the ring 0 -2 isnt related to each other doesnt make sense... just interested to see sadako's crooked walk and come after ya!! wakakakak!! posted by debraJuly 21, 2004 at 19:58 [ e ]

no pictures!! wat i hate of american version is theres no pictures of sadako!!! well thats wat i liike of jap version havin creepy pictures of the ring posted by debraJuly 21, 2004 at 20:03 [ e ]

Remake I totally loved the american remake of the ring. It wasn't as creepy as the Japanese films, but it was really good. I thought that the film was missing something but I couldn't put my finger on it. I saw it about a year ago just after I watch Ringu and that really freaked me. I thought that it was a shame that they didn't put more stuff in about the girl and before she died, I thought some of the actors got really ripped off with there roles but never mind. we will all have to wait and see what the Ring 2 is like. C U Soon! posted by EllieAugust 29, 2004 at 17:53 [ e ]