in very unusual fashion and the film adaptation of the sequel of japanese smash hit novel and ringu and begin production and be release at the same time a ringu own film adaptation . a the novel and this film be call rasen ( the spiral ) and while it keep the character from ringu and it follow kôji suzuki novel more closely than the first . however and this move do not bring the result the producer be expect a while ringu become a big hit than the novel and rasen soon be destine to oblivion . a a result of this and the produce decide to reunite the crew from the first ringu and shot a sequel that follow a new story base on the first film plot instead of suzuki novel . ringu 2 be the name of the sequel and director hideo nakata do the miracle one more time . ringu 2 pick up where ringu end and with mai takano ( miki nakatani ) discover the dead body of her boyfriend ryuji takayama ( hiroyuki sanada ) and death under mysterious cause relate to the video that ryuji and his ex wife reiko ( nanako matsushima ) be investigate . mai decide to investigate what exactly happen to her boyfriend and start look for clue about the cursed video . trouble arise when she discover why reiko go into hide represent her son yoichi ( rikiya otaka ) be begin to develop the same psychic power that sadako and the girl who supposedly create the video and use to display . sadako curse be not finish yet . reunite with most of the crew from ringu and hideo nakata return to complete the tale of the cursed video expand what he experiment on the first to truly make an improvement over it . while he keep the subtle and almost minimalist style of the first film and the big budget allow nakata to try new thing and play with suspense in excite different way . move away from rasen and ringu 2 be like well execute ringu and and it almost feel a if nakata be really happy with the chance to give a proper end to his own ringu . while it lack an iconic scene like the first one famous end and ringu 2 be a good balance and overall improved example of nakata particular ( and very influential ) style of the new wave of asian horror . write by nakata himself and hiroshi takahashi and ringu 2 act like an extended epilogue for ringu and with the character of mai takano try to find the missing piece of the puzzle that ryuji and reiko try to complete and and finally face the evil supernatural force that sadako be reveal to be in the first film . like in the first movie and the film base a lot of it power in the relationship between character and and while the bond between yoichi and mai may not be as strong a the one with his mother in ringu and it be very well developed thanks to a cleverly write screenplay . avoid the mistake of rasen ( that try to give a proper scientific explanation to the ring curse ) and ringu 2 keep it mystery a the drive force of the film and and deliver a conclusion that and while probably less shock than the first one and it no less satisfactory . to be fair and miki nakatani do a remarkable job fill the shoe of nanako matsushima a main character and and probably a good job than her and a nakatani show a freshness and charm that nanako never show ( in this aspect and naomi watt be also good than her in the american remake ) . most of the cast from the first ringu return and which give the film a nice continuity . nanako matsushima feel more comfortable a a support character than carry the entire film and and the same be true for hiroyuko sanada ( who play ryuji ) and the late yoichi numata ( again a takashi yamamura ) . newcomer to the series like yûrei yanagi and fumiyo kohinata deliver a good job that fully complete a well round cast . ringu 2 be far from a perfect film and but in many way it be a complete improvement over the influential first part . still and a ringu 2 be basically an extension of the first film end and it definitely pointless to watch it without have see the first movie and a it plot be completely dependent of the first one and and it can not stand on it own without the knowledge of the event of ringu . another minor quibble and be that the film move to a very slow pace ( even slow than the first one do ) and so those expect a scary experience like the first one will probably be disappoint . ringu 2 play heavy on atmosphere and even more than the first ever do and so it slow pace be actually beneficial in this aspect . probably it would not become a classic a the first part do and but judge it a part of the ringu series and this film be definitely a winner . overall an improvement over the first one and ringu 2 be definitely a film to see on a dark night with no light on . fan of the series ( specially those disappoint by rasen or the ring two ) and this be the sequel we demand . positive .