The Ring 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "The Ring" by Shout Factory (also known as Scream Factory in some contexts) marks a significant upgrade over previous home media releases, showcasing a meticulous restoration from the original camera negative, approved by director Gore Verbinski. Presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 widescreen, the film benefits from a native 4K scan, offering unparalleled clarity and detail. The Ultra HD resolution enhances both wide-angle and close-up shots, revealing nuanced textures and a pronounced depth that breathes new life into the dreary, green-tinted cinematography characteristic of the film. This version maintains the filmic grain, avoiding digital noise reduction and ensuring a faithful, organic appearance that impresses with its fidelity to the original theatrical experience.

The technical prowess of the 4K HDR presentation, supplemented by subtle Dolby Vision enhancement, is particularly evident in the preservation of the film’s unique color palette. The pervasive teal-green grading, crucial to the film's atmospheric setting, is reproduced with care, retaining its cinematic quality without sacrificing the depth and intensity of blacks. Shadows and dark scenes achieve a new level of dimensionality and detail, showcasing impressive dynamic range that maintains detail without crushing blacks. This is complemented by striking contrast levels that highlight gradational grays and whites, ensuring that even the most subtle visual elements are rendered with precision.

The restoration faithfully captures the eerie essence of "The Ring," with even the iconic cursed video tape benefiting from the increased resolution without losing its chilling effect. Details in facial expressions, textures in costumes, and elements of the production design are rendered with impeccable clarity, enhancing the viewing experience. While film grain is present, it adds a layer of authenticity to the visuals, contributing to the film's creepy ambiance. Notwithstanding minor discrepancies in CGI elements, which become slightly more evident at this resolution, the overall presentation is a testament to the enduring power of Verbinski's direction under the scrutiny of modern technology. This 4K UHD release not only surpasses previous Blu-ray editions in video quality but also reinvigorates the hauntingly beautiful cinematography that is synonymous with "The Ring," making it an essential upgrade for enthusiasts and collectors alike.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "The Ring" boasts an exceptional audio presentation, featuring a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack that brings the film's eerie ambiance to life with unrivaled clarity and detail. This 24 bit high-resolution audio ensures every whisper, background noise, and chilling note of Hans Zimmer’s score is heard with profound clarity and depth. Dialogue is crisply anchored in the center channel, balancing perfectly with effects for a harmonious front soundstage experience. The dynamic range is commendably solid, providing a robust bass presence that enhances the film's suspenseful moments. Despite the absence of a Dolby Atmos track, the mix effectively utilizes the surround channels and subwoofer to create an immersive atmosphere during key scenes.

The audio mix's prowess is further demonstrated through its excellent management of the film's signature sound elements - from the relentless rainfall to the unsettling ambient sounds that define "The Ring's" ominous tone. The inclusion of an optional DTS Neural:X function adds an extra layer of immersion, offering listeners a heightened sense of space and dimensionality. While the occasional reliance on the standard surround setup rather than a more continuously active approach slightly limits the soundscape's expansiveness, the strategic use of audio cues and directional effects keeps the audience on edge, amplifying the impact of the movie's terrifying set pieces.

Scream Factory presents this top-notch surround sound experience, showcasing meticulous sound design by Skywalker Sound alongside Zimmer’s hauntingly beautiful score in a dynamic, precise mix. Despite some audiophiles' longing for an Atmos track, this DTS-HD MA audio, preferred even in an era exploring new heights of audio technology, captivates with its tight bass, articulate soundstage, and the eerie yet clear reproduction of every hair-raising detail. The inclusion of optional English SDH subtitles and a 2.0 Stereo option ensures accessibility and flexibility for all viewers, making this audio presentation not just technically impressive but also accommodating.

The Shout Factory's 4K UHD release of "The Ring" showcases a noteworthy enhancement in both picture quality and special features, catering to both new fans and long-time followers of the franchise. The highlight is the new documentary, "Ghost Girl Gone Global", an in-depth exploration of the iconic horror figure Samara and the global impact of "The Ring". This feature-length documentary, presented in high definition, stretches over an hour, offering a comprehensive look into the series' legacy. Alongside, the disc includes both legacy and new extras such as deleted scenes titled "Don’t Watch This", the short film "Rings", providing a bridge between the original and its sequel, among other insightful features. These additions, combined with archival content, enrich the viewing experience, making this release a valuable collectible within the horror genre.

Extras included in this disc:

• NEW Ghost Girl Gone Global: A feature-length documentary exploring the legacy of Samara and the global impact of "The Ring" franchise.
• “Don’t Watch This” – Collection Of Deleted Footage: Previously unreleased scenes offering more frights and insights.
• Rings – Short Film That Uncovers The Terrifying And Secret Connection Between The Ring And Its Sequel: A narrative bridge between the first film and its sequel.
• “The Origin Of Terror”: A short featurette delving into the inception of this horror tale.
• Cast And Crew Interviews: Insights and anecdotes from the creators and actors behind the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: The original promotional trailer for "The Ring".

"The Ring," a masterful adaptation of the 1998 Japanese horror film "Ringu" by Hideo Nakata, manages to transcend its source material to become an essential piece of horror cinema in its own right. Directed with a keen eye for suspense and atmosphere by Gore Verbinski and penned by Ehren Kruger, this reinterpretation skillfully balances the original's haunting narrative with distinctively Western horror sensibilities, updating the story's context without sacrificing its psychological depth. At its core, the film is driven by a compelling investigation into a cursed videotape that promises death to viewers within seven days, a premise that explores the frightening potential of folklore in the digital age. Naomi Watts delivers an outstanding performance as lead investigative journalist Rachel, whose personal stakes in the mystery add layers of emotional intensity to the unfolding horror.

The technical craftsmanship of "The Ring" is notable for its contribution to the film's eerie and immersive atmosphere. Bojan Bazelli's cinematically lush cinematography, combined with Hans Zimmer's unsettling and memorable score, elevates the movie’s tension and suspense. These elements work in concert to create a nightmarish visual and auditory experience that's both sophisticated and genuinely frightening. The meticulous production design, art direction, and costume design effectively complement the story's dark tone, making every environment, from the mysterious tape’s origins to the iconic scenes of Samara emerging from a television screen, resonate with a chilling authenticity.

Despite being a PG-13 release, "The Ring" does not shy away from confronting viewers with its deeply unsettling themes and visuals. The film innovatively plays with the horror genre's conventions, focusing on psychological terror and the power of suggestion rather than relying on gratuitous violence. It stands as a significant influencer within Hollywood, proving that a horror film can achieve critical and commercial success without depending on an R rating. This balance of investigative drama, supernatural horror, and a gripping mystery underscores "The Ring" as not just a successful adaptation but also as a pioneering work that has left a lasting impact on horror filmmaking.

The 4K UHD Blu Ray release of "The Ring" presents an exemplary upgrade to a film that is widely regarded as a cornerstone of the horror genre, skillfully blending Japanese horror's eerie surrealism with engrossing mystery storytelling. This release benefits from director Gore Verbinski's supervision of the 4K restoration, sourced directly from the original camera negatives, ensuring that "The Ring" has never looked better. The restoration accentuates the film's chilling visuals and atmosphere, bolstered by Hans Zimmer's haunting score and Naomi Watts's compelling performance. Additionally, the inclusion of DTS-HD Master Audio enhances the viewing experience, encapsulating viewers in the film's suspenseful ambiance.

The package is further enriched by a generous assortment of special features, including both legacy content and exclusive new additions such as the "Ghost Girl Gone Global" documentary, which delves into the film's enduring legacy. The comprehensive selection of extras, coupled with the superior audio and visual upgrades, makes this release a must-have for fans and newcomers alike. The attention to detail in both the restoration process and the curated bonus materials demonstrates a sincere reverence for the film's impact on horror cinema.

In conclusion, this 4K UHD release of "The Ring" is an essential addition to any horror aficionado's collection, offering the definitive viewing experience of a landmark film. Its impeccable visual and auditory presentation, combined with a thoughtful compilation of extras, solidifies it not only as a worthwhile purchase but a tribute to the film's legacy. Whether you're revisiting the haunting story of "The Ring" or experiencing its terror for the first time, this Blu-ray delivers in every aspect and is highly recommended.