The Ring Two

Abandoning the gimmicky defining premise of its predecessor, revolving around the ghost of an evil little girl exacting bloodcurdling vengeance on anyone who watched a haunted videotape, The Ring Two seems also to have jettisoned all notions of pacing, creative chills, and common sense. Catching up with newspaper reporter Naomi Watts (whose talents are wasted on B-movie screams) and her hollow-eyed son (David Dorfman)--after they've survived the first film by slipping through a gaping hole in its own internal logic--this sequel beefs up its poltergeist with arbitrary new powers to track the pair down and possess the boy's body. Little else happens, except for the fact that Watts' suspicious attempts at exorcism draw the attention of the local Child Protective Services. The kid ends up in the hospital (from which he easily escapes and no search is ever mounted), while Watts makes repeated stupid decisions that lead her into lethargic spook scenes until the inconsistent finale, which leaves an insulting number of loose ends flagrantly flailing about. The Ring Two is typical of Hollywood's attitude toward horror sequels: i.e., it's going to make money whether it's good or not, so why bother aiming high? Not recommended. [Note: Available in both unrated widescreen and full screen versions, along with a PG-13 rated fullscreen version, DVD extras include the short film “Rings”—with an introduction by producer Walter Parkes (18 min.), 18 minutes of deleted scenes, an HBO First Look “making-of” featurette (13 min.), featurettes on “Faces of Fear: The Cast” (6 min.) and “Fear on Film: Special Effects” (6 min.), a “Samara: From Eye to Icon” featurette on the girl in the well (6 min.), “The Power of Symbols” segment about the symbolism used throughout the film (5 min.), cast and filmmaker bios, production notes, and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a disappointing sequel.] (R. Blackwelder)