Actually, the English translations of Ring by Suzuki Koji was released on April 14th or 15th (doesn’t really matter now) in the US.
I saw The Ring first and found it scarier than Ringu, but I also appreciate Ringu.
You’ve just described my experience with the two films. Yes, I saw Ringu first. Yes, the kid was too “Sixth Sense”. Yes, yes, yes.
I have actually read NONE of the books, but I’m working my way up to buying them.
I believe watching one movie before the other DOES sterilize the second one. The reasons for this seem to be twofold:
- Both movies’ effects on their viewers rely largely on either a surprising and unique plot (Japan) or shocking visuals (U.S.) - Once you see either one of the movies, your conception of it is based on that particular version’s style. Watching the other movie, you are disappointed because, “Heeeey. Where were all the creepy corpses? I was waiting for them to flash something really disgusting” or “Bah, I really liked the story of this movie, but they crapped it up with all the special effects.”
- People who saw one of the movies and liked it have a sort of alliegance to “their” version.
Watched the American version of this last night. One of the first scary movies that left me spooked in a long, long time. I’m not at all attracted to the American style hack and slash type things, supernatural is more scary to me. Wish that’d seen the Japanese version first, but them’s the breaks. I think it may be scarier watching this at home on the DVD or on video versus the theater, since then you half expect the phone to ring at the end. Especially since we were looking for some info on the actors/director etc in the “extras” of the DVD, and it just reshowed the whole freak out video and then hissed and cracked. Does anyone know if it’s possible to find an “extras” section on the DVD? And do I now only have seven more days to live?
I saw the Japanese version first and find that creepier. I think karomon’s description as to why fits perfectly. It was just more story based and focused than the American version, and I felt that added a lot to the suspense. Plus, I think the final scene was done a LOT better (didn’t like the way Samara looked like a projected image as opposed to someone who was ACTUALLY IN THE ROOM!!). Plus, Sadako was just scarier.
As for samarm’s question about the phone call, they say that you only receive the phone call if you’re at the motel where the well was. The kids originally got the call because they were in the cabin, the reporter got it because she was at the cabin, but niether Ryuki nor the son received the call. I believe there’s a scene where he asks her “Why didn’t I get the call?” and that’s when they figure out they need to go to the cabin.
I saw the sequels, and really liked the way Ring 2 picked up one two weeks after the original, I thought that was pretty smart. Not as good, but it did have some really intense scenes (like the scene at the mental ward, and where they see Sadako’s mother at the mirror combing her hair).
Ring 0 was alright, but yeah, quite different. As for some of the questions about this one:
Evil Sadako killed because she wanted everyone to suffer. The whole point about Sadako and the curse is about vengence. the problem is, she has no one to take vengence upon once her mother commits suicide, and due to the horrible attack she received by the theater troup, she’s decided she’s going to kill everyone. That’s why the curse doesn’t end. As for why she kills people in the beginning before the merge, I always figured it was that whole Jekyl/Hyde thing. Good Sadako wanted the part, but was content to just have the understudy role and do costumes, but Evil Sadako felt the desire for more, wanted the part (vicariously threw G.S.), and thus killed to get it. She’s a physical representation of G.S.'s violent, angry side.
I saw The Ring first and liked it better- found it much creepier. It was a lot of the little things-
For example, the cabin in Ringu wasn’t scary; It was tastefully furnished and had a nice 27" Sony TV. Same with the house that the kid grew up in- the Japanese one was nice and non-threatening. Also I find horse people really creepy. And I thought the psychic demos in Ringu were kinda silly, as was the psychic ability of the guy. For me I guess the visuals/cinematography made the difference. And I can see how some might find the little kid a ripoff of the Sixth Sense, I didn’t really feel that way. YMMV.
Also the video that everyone watches in The Ring a lot spookier- I must have watched the DVD menu screen for 10 minutes before starting the movie.
From http://ringworld.somrux.com/index.htm :
“The English edition of Ring (by Suzuki Koji) hit newsstands on April 15th, 2003. The novel (hardcover) is published by New York-based Vertical, Inc. and has a retail price of $24.95. Having first read the novel in Japanese, I’m happy to state that the Vertical edition is a thorough and fairly accurate translation that also reads quite well.”
Also, there’s a Russian-language version of the novel posted entirely online. See the link, and go to “Books”.