BACK COVER SYNOPSIS: It begins as just another urban legend - the whispered tale of a nightmarish videotape that causes anyone who watches it to die seven days later. But when four teenagers all meet with mysterious deaths exactly one week after watching just such a tape, investigative reporter Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) tracks down the video... and watches it. Now, the legend is coming true, the clock is ticking and Rachel has just seven days to unravel the mystery of The Ring.

FILM REVIEW: This has to be one of the most terrifying films I've seen, and that includes the original Japanese version of "The Ring". Somehow I think this American remake is so much better than the original, simply because there's less explanation as to how the evil is doing what it does. The less you know about something, the more scary it is, and it's with that notion that director Gore Verbinski has grafted a uniquely underplayed, yet frightening horror film that will at times leave you fighting to keep looking at the screen because you'll be too scared to look.

This film is not a blood-and-guts horror film. It's got more in common with a suspense thriller. And even when the big scenes arrive, they're mostly suggested. It's because of this that "The Ring" is far scarier than any conventional horror film. On top of that, the film follows a more murder-mystery style plot with the lead character of Rachel, played with effective drive and determination by Naomi Watts, on the trail to find out exactly what's going on. For the bulk of the film, you don't even know HOW people are dying by watching this tape. In this way, the film has the intrigue of a mystery: what's happening and why? You want to know what's going on. But when you do find out, it's so unexpected and scary that you want to slink back in your seat and look away. There's one moment where I literally jumped back in my seat and it's without doubt the most effective scene in the film (and many other horror films for that matter). And it was done quietly, without much noise and without much happening on screen. Some times simplicity is better than seeing a million CGI shots.

One could say that the premise is ridiculous; a possessed video tape. But the filmmakers choose wisely not to over-indulge on the concept, rather just to use it to get the ball rolling. The film is ladened with such a scary atmosphere that it really doesn't matter that this part of it is ridiculous.

In some ways, you never really get a full explanation of how the video came to be or why Samara (the evil girl) is evil the way she is. But then that's why this version of "The Ring" is so terrifying. There are some chilling flashback scenes where psychologists are interviewing Samara and she is so cold and evil that it's terrifying to watch. And what's better is that when you think it's all over and resolved, it's not. And in an un-Hollywood way, the film chooses to part with convention and turn the otherwise happy ending completely on its head without seemingly like a cheesy twist.

Very well made, atmospheric horror film without the blood or guts of most in the genre.

TECHNICAL REVIEW: The film has been given an excellent transfer. Most of the images have a cool, blue tone and the transfer reflects the richness of those colours. The audio soundtrack is surprisingly quiet and low-key, only breaking out in a few moments of sheer terror. It's very atmospheric and chilling, guaranteed to keep you scared for the duration of the film. A well produced DVD transfer of an effective horror film.

EXTRAS REVIEW: Not much in the way of extras on this disc. Just a 16 minute "experimental" video from the director and a "Catch Me If You Can" Trailer. There's some extra language soundtracks and subtitles. Not good enough really. In this day and age we want to know more about the films we watch and a lack of documentary or even a commentary track is woeful.

BOTTOM LINE: Worth having in the collection.