Rasen (aka Spiral) Review

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: After being cooped up in the well for too many years Sadako has become very HORNY!

Review: Hmm, how to properly explain "Rasen" and the shenanigans surrounding this franchise? Well, for some reason, they decided it would be a good idea to release this film and "Ring" alongside one another. This could have worked in their favor had the two films complemented each other, but they are as alike as night and day. I think this is where you are going to get some division among the fans as this is a more faithful adaptation of the books but a terrible sequel to "Ring." The problem is that the first movie and the books are not comparable realistically. The book series is more sci-fi whereas the movie and subsequent sequels are traditional horror. The books have Sadako as nothing more than the progenitor of the Ring Virus while the films have Sadako as an ongoing antagonist that must be overcome and is actively killing people. Confounding the issue is the fact that the collaboration in producing the two films appeared to be shaky with questionable communication. Another thing I want to note is the idea that the "Sadako 3D" films follow this entry. That's misleading to say the least. They share a common character and more elements from the book series, but they also employ Sadako as an unkillable Freddy/Jason-esque villain.

When watching this movie, one must ask themselves: is there a "Ring" inspired porn parody out there? I mean, hell, it almost writes itself. You have a cursed, amateur porn tape where the ghost, coming out of your TV, will bang you for seven days after watching it! Someone make this NOW! Anyway, this Sadako is all horny for whatever reason. Following the events of the first film, a friend of Ryuji, named Ando, becomes the main character. Somehow he becomes involved in the investigation into Sadako's precious little tape as well. They do address Sadako being an actress, but they keep her degree of evil vague; judging by her photo I don't know if she's insane or that's the horny levels spiking. Ando mopes around a lot after the death of his son which Ando blames himself for. This is probably the main detriment to the film as the genre is essentially drama with extremely light horror and sci-fi elements. You must imagine watching "Ring" then going to see this film and you're like "what the fuck?!" I don't care what anyone thinks, the movie franchise went with the right choice of favoring a malevolent spirit rather than dealing with a sci-fi virus.

Honestly, trying to explain the plot is a nightmare as so many things have to be accepted at face value. It would appear people become infected with a supernatural virus after coming into contact with Reiko's journal or something; I don't know--it doesn't entirely make sense. Speaking of Reiko, she and the son are written out of the plot which sort of makes sense given that Reiko was a male character in the books. Then we come to Sadako trying to hump people who watch her little tape...which wouldn't be too bad really. There is something about Sadako being reborn from Ando screwing Ryuji's assistant who they finally declare was his girlfriend. But Sadako looks like the assistant still...while claiming she is the assistant...but the assistant is definitely dead...oh whatever. Sadako busts out bargaining skills for whatever reason as she promises to resurrect Ando's dead son if he helps her spread the Ring Virus. He obliges and this magically brings Ryuji back from the dead too for the lulz. Wait, are they really trying to turn this into a take over the world scheme?! Fake Sadako and Ryuji try to get all philosophical as if they're bringing peace to the world despite Sadako saying she just wants people to experience her suffering. You bitch. Don't even get me started on the endless plot holes if you want to believe Ryuji foresaw all of these events (I'm choosing to ignore that nonsensical aspect for peace of mind). The movie ends by annoying the fuck out of me, but the ending theme song was pretty good--definitely more enjoyable than the movie itself.

So what are you really getting with this film? In essence, this is an even more boring drama than "Ring 0: Birthday" except you don't have the romance to spice things up. Oh, sure, this film has a horny Sadako, but don't forget Sadako is a hermaphrodite in the books so down, boy. There are no scares, the plot makes little sense, and I don't think it would be unfair to say the story was bordering on pretentious toward the end. There are things that could have salvaged this mess, but, as it stands, you've gotta be a pretty hardcore fan of the books to enjoy this film. Casual fans will be lost and probably feel cheated. And if you thought the shenanigans were finally concluded, hold onto your butts, because there are surprisingly plenty of more entries in this franchise to come.

Notable Moment: When Sadako appears, naked, to grope Ando. See...if this was all Sadako wanted to do to the people who watch her little porn tape there wouldn't be so much trouble!

Final Rating: 4.5/10