Sadako 3D 2 (2013)

Even though much of the potential of 3D2  is wasted, the end result is still much better than the teen horror that was the first film.
Some of the exterior scenes are quite beautiful, but when it moves indoors and attempts to scare it falls flat. Hanabusa sets up some effective scares that get ruined by the addition of CGI. CGI just isn't scary; it’s lazy and boring. The sooner film-makers get back to creating atmosphere with skills, music and lighting the better off we’ll be as viewers.
Connections between protagonists hold the story together when it seems to be struggling to find a focus, and if you stay for the duration the final third raises the score. It doesn't make much sense, but it’s the best part.

2½ scraping noises out of 5

Sadako 3D (2012)

A Ring Cycle revival based on Koji Suzuki's novel, S (2012). I've not read it, so can't comment on how faithful the film is or isn't.
A new cursed video is uploaded to the internet, meaning every PC, laptop, tablet, phone, etc, offers a possible entry point for Sadako to return.
It sounds like a natural progression of what came before, but whereas Nakata's films were mature horror that made me soil myself, Sadako 3D is teen horror that made me yawn and check my watch periodically.
The Silent Hill creatures were the last straw. They'd work just fine in a Silent Hill setting, but here they were ridiculous.
Every point awarded below is for Satomi Ishihara; she deserved to be in a better movie.

1½ page errors out of 5