The timeline of my contact with "The Ring of Midnight":
— When I was a child, I rented the 2002 US version of "The Ring of Midnight" DVD in a video store, and I went home and watched it secretly. Suspected of pirated discs, it may also be that the TV at home is too bad, and the image quality of the whole film is presented as the image quality of the horror video in the film. I was very impressed with the footage of the heroine pulling out the video tape from her throat. It is worth mentioning that the pirated DVD of "Midnight Ring" seems to be the first disc I rented in my life.
— The Japanese version of "The Ring of Midnight" in 1998 was the first movie I watched after the college entrance examination. In summer sitting in front of a bright window, playing online on a laptop, holding a semi-transparent fan to cover it. I didn't think it was very scary. I was impressed by the scene of Matsushima Nanako hugging Sadako's skeleton in the maternal glory at the bottom of the well and finally driving on the highway while making a phone call. It was also the first time in my life that I watched a Japanese horror movie.
— On the evening of July 18, 2019, for learning purposes, I was looking for the 1998 Japanese version to re-read on a whim. In the apartment in Los Angeles, I found a complete movie with Chinese subtitles on Youtube, and airplayed it to the newly purchased large color TV. I like the original Japanese version very much and benefited a lot. (Just after watching the movie, I received the bad news about the arson of Jingani No. 1 Studio. July 18, 2019 is really a dark day. Before the movie started, the Xiaohuanglou was still fine, and everything was not good after the movie. Aside from the topic, the real world is much scarier than horror movies. Horror movies are a kind of existence that makes people forget the horror of reality. When you think about it, horror movies are very cute.)
— On the evening of July 19, 2019, for the purpose of comparative analysis and study, I watched the 2002 US version. As a full member of Youai Teng, I have consciously compared the length of the film on the three platforms. Tencent is 1 hour and 50 minutes, Youku is 1 hour and 54 minutes, and only iQiyi is 1 hour and 55 minutes that matches the IMDB data. Tencent's cuts are also tough. Friendly reminder, when watching foreign movies on domestic platforms, pay attention to comparing the length of the platform and choose the longest one to watch.
I wanted to read the perfect version and write a short review. But I blame myself for a lot of words and can't hold short reviews, so I came to the code word without writing a long review for a long time. The "Midnight Ring" series is also an important memory in the process of growing up, and it is worth remembering.
Here is mainly a comparative analysis of the Japanese version and the US version, focusing on the success and shortcomings of the US version as a remake. First of all, the 1998 Japanese version of "The Ring of Midnight" is the best low-cost horror film in my mind.
It is not easy to hand over this answer sheet for the US version as a remake of the movie. The Japanese version of pearls and jade is the first, and the US version has successfully grafted this very oriental ghost story into a Western background and made its own characteristics:
1. The US version focuses on using visual language to create an impression of horror. The montage of horror video tapes is longer and more stream of consciousness. In the film, graphics and lines echo the image of horror—water stains on the bottom of a cup shaped like a well, stairs, and iron bars. There is even a tribute to the heroine of "Rear Window" peeking at each TV screen. It is not without pursuit in art, and it is no wonder that after the film was released, it set off a wave of craze in the popular culture circle in the United States at that time.
2. Added an explanation to the story and game rules of "Sadako" that the original movie did not have-trapped in the bottom of the well can survive for seven days, which is why there is a seven-day time limit after watching the video. I don't know if this setting is in the novel, if it is the original concept of the US film team, it can be said to be quite brilliant.
3. The heroine played by Naomi Watts is more independent in character, in line with the era's expectations for a strong heroine. However, this heroine was not very successful (more on that later).
There are many differences between the US version and the Japanese version. Most of them feel that they are different for the sake of difference. Many adaptations are less effective than the original version. for example:
4. The American version of the heroine has an independent personality, and an independent investigation was conducted in the first half of the film. Matsushima Nanako's heroine is relatively weak and relies heavily on her ex-husband to carry out investigations. Although the protagonist of the strong and active protagonist is the golden rule, but the US version has not adjusted the heroine's character too much. On the whole, it seems impersonal and unstable, and the role of the mother is very blunt. But Matsushima Nanako's weakness throughout the film sets off her decision after comprehending the truth.
5. The relationship between the male and female protagonists. The American protagonist and heroine have had chemistry since the first rivalry scene, but they seem to have just met. They are really not like a couple who broke up after giving birth to a child together. In the Japanese version, it is entirely a pair of former couples who have split up. I prefer the Japanese version. In the Japanese version, the relationship between the heroine and her ex-husband has a complete growth arc. Matsushima Nanako still relies instinctively on her ex-husband who has been born. The two of them are in distress together, and they almost repaired the old one. Finally, the ex-husband received the lunch, Matsushima Nanako. Forced to move forward independently and become a stronger woman than before.
6. Differences in actor settings. The American male protagonist is a little natural and cute. The Japanese version is a super-powerful uncle. This is turnip cabbage, I prefer the Japanese version of the hero. The humor of the American male protagonist can be laughed a lot, but it is a bit contradictory. The male and female protagonists are not like people who know they are about to die.
7. The background story of the US version of "Sadako" is confusing. The second half of the second act is obviously procrastinated and completely different. It is not even clear what harm Sadako has, why she must be killed. The plot of the horse is also a bit painless.
8. Script quality. The Japanese version of the script is clean, transparent and free of fat. The US version has a lot of off-play and out-of-play dialogue. A scene where father and son talked in the car was particularly unsuccessful.
Even if the other parts of the US version are different from the Japanese version, they are finally useless, except for...
9. The American version completely ruined the climax scene of Sadako crawling out! It is understandable that other parts have to be done differently from the original, but I think this climax scene can be copied! Tell me where this scene is ruined:
a. Originally, the death of the ex-husband was a big turning point in the third act. The Japanese version has made a seamless connection from safe and sound to disasters, and the effect is very good. The American version of Fei adds a mother-child drama in the middle. The eloquent little boy tells the hostess that you’re awkward, Dad’s pill. Have you seen such a spoiler?
b. American Sadako climbed halfway and cut into Naomi's traffic jam. Why is it so? ! Why? Even if the midnight bell is remade a hundred times, no one can interrupt Sister Zhenzi to climb out! Because it must be anti-climax to click elsewhere at such a moment. We already know that the male protagonist is bound to die, and we also know that the female protagonist is powerless, and it is not a Mission: Impossible rescue.
c. The camera that Sadako climbs out uses a side angle. The effect is far weaker than the positive angle of the Japanese version, which is the subjective perspective of the male protagonist.
d. Although the special effects of the American version of Sadako are more expensive, but she looks very funny, really not as bright and beautiful as the eyes of the Japanese Sadako at that time.
e. Naomi first saw the back of the chair when he came to look for the hero. It was a very good scene, but when she turned the chair over, she clicked off again, and finally gave the hero's death for a second when she flashed back. The editing is really kind and not sincere about the scary thing.
The words are finished. The Japanese version is really good and the US version is also very good. Both films are worth rewatching in many years. "Midnight Ring" is also one of the earliest cyberpunk horror stories. At the end of the 1990s, people feared television, telephone, and communication. After 20 years, human society has undergone major changes such as the Internet, smart phones, streaming media, and social networks. Even Sadako's book will feel that time is not waiting for me. Can’t help but wonder, can the super girl Sadako catch up with the times?
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