'Pulse': An intense, moody remake

"Pulse," yet another Americanized version of a Japanese horror flick, is extremely high concept — and trying very hard to be About Something.

It's intended as an indictment of our overdependence on communications devices, but the premise is out-of-this-world unbelievable. A computer hacker unleashes a wireless signal that's pure evil — that sucks the life out of everyone who comes into contact with it, prompting mass suicides and urban chaos.

Dimension Films 'Pulse' B- Director: Jim Sonzero Starring: Kristen Bell, Ian Somerhalder, Christina Milian, Samm Levine, Rick Gonzalez Run time: 88 minutes Release date: August 11, 2006 Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi terror, disturbing images, language, sensuality and thematic material. See showtimes Original fear See what movie critics had to say about the original Japanese film. On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate 'Pulse'   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

Its grotesque, quasi-human images come in jumpy blips and flashes, similar to those in the Japanese-inspired "Ring" movies. They can come right at you through the screen, and they even know how to use printers and Web cams!

Wireless laptops can trigger them, cell phones — you name it, anything with a signal. Only by hiding in a dead zone can anyone hope to live. (Deep, huh?)

But you do have to give "Pulse" some credit: The film is incredibly intense and moody, with characters and dialogue that are far more grounded in reality than those of most frightfests (maybe that's because horror master Wes Craven co-wrote the script, based on Kiyoshi Kurosawa's original "Kairo"). Jim Sonzero directed the movie, which wasn't screened for critics before opening day, in varying shades of metallic green and gray.

"Veronica Mars" star Kristen Bell and Ian Somerhalder are among the college students fighting to survive in a paranoid world (specifically Columbus, Ohio) that ultimately resembles the apocalyptic setting you'd see in a zombie movie. Bell, who stars as Mattie, watches her boyfriend succumb to this mysterious force, then tracks down Somerhalder's Dexter, who bought the villainous computer.

As previous computer-themed thrillers like "The Net" and "Firewall" have shown, it's hard to build suspense through key strokes and letters and numbers on a screen. But the supernatural wi-fi element of "Pulse" allows our attractive young characters to become potential victims anywhere they go. It's just that easy!

R&B singer Christina Milian, in an array of belly-baring tops, co-stars as Mattie's roommate, with Rick Gonzalez and Samm Levine playing the friends who investigate the electronic evil and learn more than they'd hoped.

For all of them, asking the question "Can you hear me now?" elicits an answer other than "good."

Inside AJC.COM

Weekend plans?

Beat boredom with our "Weekend Best Bets."

Sail the seven seas

Plan the perfect cruise with help from the Travel Channel.

Go green at public gardens

Check out these soothing escapes in our urban environment.

Cheer on your team!

Find a local place to root for your alma mater this season.

Let Fido play!

Find a dog park near you.

Golf getaways

Grab the clubs and the kids and prepare for fun!

Best of the Big A!

Your chance to nominate and vote for Atlanta's best food fun and venues!

Best concert photos

Check out Jeezy's performance at The Tabernacle.

Gun laws?

Packing heat? It might be a good idea to brush up on the nation's gun laws.