Ringu 2 Blu-ray Review

Nov 022019

Ringu 2 is an inferior sequel but still has its moments and the atmosphere stayed relatively the same while the story did feel a little more convoluted, even confusing.

Ringu 2
(1999)

Genre(s): Supernatural Horror
Arrow Video | NR – 95 min. | October 29, 2019

Date Published: 11/02/2019 | Author: The Movieman

MOVIE INFO:
Directed by: Hideo Nakata
Writer(s): Koji Suzuki (story), Hiroshi Takahashi (screenplay)
Cast: Miki Nakatani, Rikiya Otaka, Nanako Matsushima, Yoichi Numata, Rie Ino

DISC INFO:
Features: Interview, Theatrical Trailers
Slip Cover: No
Digital Copy: No
Formats Included: Blu-ray
Number of Discs: 1

Audio: Japanese (DTS-HD MA 5.1), Japanese (DTS-HD MA 2.0)
Video: 1080p/Widescreen 1.85
Subtitles: English SDH
Disc Size: 48.36 GB
Total Bitrate: 34.39 Mbps
Codecs: MPEG-4 AVC
Region(s): A

Arrow Video provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this Blog Post.
The opinions I share are my own.

THE MOVIE — 3.25/5

Plot Synopsis: While investigating the mysterious death of her boyfriend, Mai (MIKI NAKATANI) learns of the existence of a videotape that causes those who watch it to die. She then hears the story of Sadako (RIE INO), the vengeful, supernatural force behind the tape. Journalist Reiko (NANAKO MATSUSHIMA) and her young boy (RIKIYA OTAKA) previously watched the tape and survived, but when Mai finds them, the child is fighting off possession by Sadako. As Mai tries to help them, Sadako’s spirit comes after her, too.

Quick Hit Review: Where Ringu was a slow, calculating supernatural horror film, Ringu 2, much like its American cousin, The Ring Two, doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, though unile the American version, did at least have a few unnerving scenes that definitely creeped me out. This go around, Miki Nakatani’s Mai, who was very much a side character who only briefly appeared in the first film, takes a central role while Nanako Matsushima and Hiroyuki Sanada have far shorter parts. However, I actually quite enjoyed Nakatani, she seemed to possess some great on-screen presence and did keep the odd plotline going at a brisk pace.

Hideo Nakata returns as the director and although the atmosphere was pretty close to being the same, the strange storyline, which reminded me a lot of The Exorcist II: The Heretic strangely enough, was a bit hard to follow and perhaps this is where Japanese folklore didn’t translate to this American viewer. Even so, I still found Ringu 2 to be a decent enough sequel even if it doesn’t live up to its predecessor.

SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.5/5

This single-disc release comes housed in a clear HD keep case. This disc also contains the film Spiral (aka Rasen), a film that was released the same year as Ring 2 but didn’t take off with audiences and has been mostly been forgotten or ignored.

The Psychology of Fear (25:11) — Newly edited archival interview with Ring author Koji Suzuki.

Also included is the UK Trailer (0:43), Ring 2/Shikoku Double Bill Trailer (1:28) and the Ring/Spiral Double Bill Trailer (1:11).

VIDEO – 4.5/5

Arrow Video releases Ringu 2 onto Blu-ray presented in its original 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio and given a 1080p high-definition transfer. In the notes, there was no mention of any type of restoration just that it was provided by the Kadokawa Corporation, so apparently no repair work was necessary, and as such, the picture does look quite good, detail was halfway decent and as with the first movie, you’re not going to get amazing colors as its toned down in keeping with the darker nature of the story.

AUDIO – 4.5/5

There is the option of a 5.1 and 2.0 Japanese language DTS-HD Master Audio track available, the former being the default option. Unlike the one for Ringu, this one did offer a bit more depth. Dialogue does come through with good clarity but this track does come to life especially during the last third with the LFE channel kicking on for extra effect with ambient noises and the score making use of the surround speakers.

OVERALL – 3.5/5

Overall, Ringu 2 is an inferior sequel but still has its moments and the atmosphere stayed relatively the same while the story did feel a little more convoluted, even confusing. But this Arrow Video Blu-ray release does have highly respectable video and audio transfers while the features were lacking.

11/02/2019 Blu-ray Reviews, Quick Hit Reviews Tagged with: Arrow Video, J-horror, Ringu

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