2002’s The Ring is responsible for a trend in Hollywood during the turn of the century, in which J-horror film remakes were going to become a point of focus for film studios. The film, directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Naomi Watts, is an intelligent, atmospheric, and well acted adaptation of the 1998 Japanese film that set a high standard for these remakes, of which it hasn’t been met since. The likes of The Grudge, Dark Water, and others have been adapted for the American screen, and even The Ring’s own sequel couldn’t touch what had been accomplished with the remake. Rings, however, tries to stick to what made the first one work, but unfortunately can’t capture that sense of dread, mystery, or emotion...
