Rasen (1998, JAP) C-97m. ** D: Jôji Iida. Starring Koichi Sato, Miki Nakatani, Hinako Saeki, Shingo Tsurumi, Nanako Matsushima, Hiroyuki Sanada, Kôji Suzuki. First, immediate sequel to the hit RINGU (1998) is a disappointment. Pathologist Sato has to perform an autopsy on a good friend and learns that he viewed a cursed video seven days before he died. Can he find an eliminate this deadly virus that seems to be spreading to everyone that watches it? Very similar in plot, but even more sluggishly paced, this will only be embraced by die-hard fans. To add to the confusion this was also released as RING 2: THE SPIRAL, RING 4: THE SPIRAL, and simply RING: SPIRAL. Made into a TV series in 1999. Followed by RINGU 2 (1999) and RINGU 0 (2000).


© Ron Altman