RING 2 - DVD

In this sequel to the original Japanese horror hit, journalist Mai Takano (Miki Nakatani) begins her own investigation into the mysterious haunted videotape which kills all those who see it. Along the way she discovers that Youichi, the son of tape victim Ryiji, has begun to develop many of the same supernatural powers that Sadako had when she was still alive. Now Mai must do her best to protect both herself and Youichi from the evil undead Sadako as the tape's curse continues to exert its terrifying power.

The Ring 2 sequel further complicates the urban myth of the original tale, adding a chilling back-story concerning the origins of Sadako, the long-haired, bug-eyed living dead girl who chills her victims like a video nasty. Shell-shocked by the sudden death of her boyfriend, Koichi, Mai Takano takes it upon herself to investigate the sinister videotape that purportedly kills those who watch it after exactly one week. But the police also want to question Takano concerning her proximity to another death, that of Koichi's former father-in-law, and the disappearance of his ex-wife, Reiko, the journalist who began investigating the video tape curse. Plagued by premonitions and visions, hounded by the police, Takano stumbles upon Yoichi, Reiko's son, who after viewing the videotape has acquired strange supernatural powers. Although now mute, Takano seems able to communicate with him and wins the frightened boy's confidence in order to involve him in scientific experiments carried out by Dr Ikuma, the aims of which are to break the curse of Sadako once and for all. Director Nakata stays true to the tone of his original, tightening the plot like a piano wire around the audience, and priming them for the inevitable next episode in the series. --Chris Campion