The Ring Two (2005)
Directed by: Hideo Nakata
Premise: A sequel to the 2002 film. Rachel (Naomi Watts) and her son Max (Simon Baker) are again stalked by the ghost of Samara (Kelly Stables).
What Works: The opening of the film has some very unique cinematography and starts with a unique premise based upon the climax from the end of the first film. The Ring Two does have some requisite jump moments and maintains the tone of the original.
What Doesn’t: After the interesting opening, the film jettisons this storyline and instead tries to recapture the mystery plot of the first film but it is unable to shed any more light on the evil of Samara or create a sense of dread or tension. The mysterious supporting characters of the original film are missed and even the returning characters do not go through enough development to make us afraid of what might happen to them. The film spins its wheels through a second act that does not go anywhere until we reach a climax that is unsatisfying because of the lack of narrative buildup.
Bottom Line: While better than a lot of other PG-13 horror films, The Ring Two is still under par. Fans of the original film will want to have a look, but others should wait until the film comes to video.
Episode: #45 (March 27, 2005)