HALF-DROWNED HOUND 
The Ring Two
The Ring Two is ... fine? It's a fine movie. It's alright.
As I've talked about at length, in my ideal world, The Ring wouldn't even have the opportunity for a sequel; it would end with the emotional poignancy of Rachel laying Samara to rest and going on with her newly reunited family in a more emotionally in-tune manner. Unfortunately, Lore™️ fucked that up, so here we are. However, I have to say, making the sequel a study of Rachel and Samara's relationship really is a gift. It's a bit of a paradox; it's somehow Just Okay and also utterly insanity-inducing.
I think my problem with The Ring Two is that I wish it were a fanfiction. I don't even read fanfic anymore, but the concept of Samara being obsessed with Rachel to the point of killing anyone who tries to come between them is choice, even though it requires a less satisfying ending to The Ring. It's a sacrifice I'd sorta be tempted to make- so, y'know, great fanfic material.
Unfortunately, The Ring Two is a real movie and not something you'd find on fanfiction.net. With movies come visuals, and these ones ... aren't good. I feel bad giving Nakata so much shit for his direction, because to be fair, there was a lot of studio interference- to the point where he swore off working with Americans- but still, it needs to be noted that the direction is Not Good. It's too flashy, is the thing; it talks down to its audience, going "look at this! Isn't it such a cool movie? Wow! So shiny! So awesome!" It's one of several aspects wherein The Ring outshines its sequel; the direction is rich and a lot to dig into, but it's not in your face, generally. Enough with the zooms already!!!! That said, I do appreciate the continuation of Samara associated with flies, water, and Christian imagery; the motifs are probably my favorite part of Verbinski's direction. Still, though, the direction is certainly one of my least favorite parts about it.
One thing I do have to appreciate about The Ring Two is that its characterization of Samara does form a plot hole with the end of The Ring, which tries to establish her as a needlessly sadistic child whose abuse was justified. If that were the case, she could have just stopped being evil/not hurt others on purpose in the first place and had the loving mother she wanted; thus, The Ring Two turns her back into a rejected child who only wants to be loved (albeit with vengeful ghost powers this time). Since I hate the 'sadistic' characterization of Samara, it works out pretty well for me. That combined with her ruthlessness in murdering or otherwise eliminating anyone who tries to come between her and Rachel makes a delightful 'villain': an unloved girl who, after abuse, attempted murder (via her birth mother), and then real actual murder, is pushed to the point of violent obsession with the one person who's shown her kindness. Like, hell yeah! Give me a fucked up Samara-Rachel dynamic!!! Make it hurt!!!!
For a movie that made me cry three different times, though, it definitely doesn't pack as much of a punch as it could. Upon rewatching, I realized that one of the things that bugs me is that it doesn't push itself where it could have really benefitted from it. Rachel enters someone's house to steal their copy of the videotape, but she doesn't break and enter. She holds Aidan's half-drowned body and begs him to wake up, but she doesn't do anything about it, like give her CPR. Also, considering the movie is about being a good mother (to a hamfisted degree), it's irritating that Rachel doesn't actually make any sacrifices for her son- besides moving from Seattle and losing her job, I suppose, but that was also to save her own skin and a decision she likely would have made regardless of whether or not she had a kid. Considering how emotionally effective the scene leading up to it was- yes, I did cry when she told Samara she loves her while exorcising her from Aidan, thank you very much- it's disappointing that Rachel, when presented with a grand sacrifice by the narrative, is instead granted permission to get out of it completely unscathed. If you're going to put me in a blender, at least do it all the way, y'know?
Honestly, if I were to list out everything I do and don't like about this movie, it would take ages. I have very complicated feelings about it. That said, it does have one of my favorite characters of all time, and it's certainly not the worst Ring movie, so here we are. It's decent. Watch it or don't, I don't care.