I was left disappointed by “The Ring” so I went into this Japanese original with mixed expectations. I was surprised to find that this one is a lot better. I felt the American remake tried a little too hard in some respects but “Ringu” is a much subtler movie and therefore a more effective one.

In “Ringu”, Reiko is an investigative reporter (Nanako Matsushima), who delves into the origins of a cursed videotape. Viewers of the tape are rumoured to die exactly seven days after watching it. Reiko must now try to find a way to lift the curse if she and her son are going to live.

I found the acting in the American version to often be a little over the top and it made the film more laughable than anything else. The cast in the Japanese version are less annoying and their performances do not detract from the tension. Some viewers may recognise actor Hiroyuki Sanada, who went on to have a successful Hollywood career with roles in films including “The Wolverine” and “Sunshine”. He gives a pretty good performance. The whole idea of the ghostly girl creature in the tape is silly but I think in this version, it is handled much better.

I was not particularly scared by “Ringu” but I do respect the fact this movie has been made with real skill. It looks cheaper and relies less on special effects than its American counterpart but these things are not hinderances. I found the tape in this movie to be much more chilling than the ridiculous one from the remake and the famous scene where the creature comes out of the television is done better here too. I’m going to give this film a weak recommendation. However, it is still nevertheless a recommendation. If you want a better Japanese horror flick then try “Ju-On: The Grudge”.