Carrie
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.57 You Save: $6.41 (64%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.55 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Carrie
Movie Review: A Treat For Fans of The Original King Novel
Summary: 4 Stars
Come to think of it, I was reminded of "The Attack of the 50 Foot Woman" after the famous prom scene--even when I read the book (which I highly reccomend). Though I enjoyed the original film that was made by Brian DePalma, whom I always felt was a modern-day Hitchcock. I also enjoyed this new movie about Carrie. Movies have been remade since their invention. And why not? I like watching how other directors handle the source material. This new take on the novel was very good and very close to the novel except for the ending--which I didn't mind. The direction and camera work in the new Carrie is refreshing, real, and very atmospheric. The hazy light in study hall, the greenness of the institutional lights in the interview room, the shadows and light in Carrie's house, the surreal use of blue-screen backgrounds all contribute to make this film play like an odd bad dream. Angela Bettis was remarkable in her portrayal of Carrie. Many folks complained that the other characters were played all wrong--well, that is wrong! And you would know that if you read the novel. Far more improved on the original was the relationship between Chris and Billy. The acting in this movie is excellent and the young cast is very talented. Being a miniseries, there was more time to flesh out characters and actually do the some of the scenes that DePalma wanted to do back in the 70's but couldn't do to time constrants and hasseling from the studio. I bought this DVD and I have it next to the DePalma movie on the shelf. My only complaint is that there were no extra features other than ads for upcoming movies. I even liked the music. Some peaople think that both Spacek from the original film and Bettis here were both too pretty to be Carrie but the Carrie in King's novel wasn't ugly though, she was only on the plump side.Movie Review: A New Take
Summary: 4 Stars
While we Stephen King fans can take things a little too personally when we all know a book to film does not always bridge the way we expect, this almost "copycat" (New World's Pirannha favourite example), this movie holds it's own and then some.
While I agree that the original is a classic in it's own right, this version modernizes the setting of the story and I don't believe comparisons are really fair.
The effects are superior tho that is not to say this version is better than the original. However, the acting, atmosphere and mood are retained and perhaps it is best to say that this is simply an update to this classic, frightening story.
Though I cannot substantiate it, there are rumours that this film concludes the way Stephen King had originally wanted to end the novel. Only a rumour and to hard-core fans who know better, if I am wrong, I apologize.
More of an update than a remake, it is hard to fault this version. It is at least as touching and frightening as the original, though fans bicker about the ending.
The actress playing Carrie <sorry, her name escapes me now> is as hauntingly beautiful as Spasek in the original and the "mood" of the film is somewhat darker, though not overly so.
Don't let the words "made for TV" scare you. This is a thoughtful and faithful remake of an outstanding story and deserves better than what many critics have levelled it with.
Try to get the Canadian, uncut version. Highly recommended !!
Movie Review: I like this version!
Summary: 4 Stars
Y'know, I've seen both versions of "Carrie" & both have their merits. I somehow prefer this version better. Angela Bettis as Carrie White is an odd blend of Mousiness, Beauty, Innocence & Freakiness with a heaping bit of trepedation. She is truly an outcast & is also prone to weird, nightmarish, telekinetic seizures. Although the ending seems trite to some, I actually prefer it. I was a bit of a pariah in school, myself, with very few friends & I always sat alone at lunch. Carrie had it worse; NO friends & a really crappy home life. I like the more modernized, somewhat edgy feel, the fact that it was truer to the book (which I've never read but nonetheless heard about), the "good" people survive (mostly, except for Tommy). I like the less tragic ending because I wanted to see Carrie given another chance at redemption & renewal. The old '76 film was effective but a complete downer. As far as Margaret was concerned, I prefer the old Piper Laurie version but Lara Clarkson's take is effective in that she could look so nice, quiet & longsuffering, normal even, then suddenly...."SLAP!" (hitting Carrie) or "DUNK!" (drowning Carrie), etc. , thus you are more on edge with Clarkson's version (because she's so unpredictable, unlike the loopy Piper Laurie verson). Anyway, I basically give it four stars because of the differences I like but one star's off cause it's not perfect. But hey, it's a TV Movie!Movie Review: Usually I don't like remakes but...
Summary: 4 Stars
Most modern-day remakes usually end up sucking, but this movie was a surprisingly decent remake of the novel. I read the book and saw the original film with Sissy Spacek, but I actually ended up liking this movie a lot.
The sequence of events is actually rather different, with intervals interviewing various survivors after the night that Carrie did her Prom Queen freak-out after being doused with pig's blood. Most of these interviews are shown before we see the actual event, so we see the build-up to the prom night as we do in the book and movie, starting with Carrie's first period and building up, to being asked out by Tommy and so on and so forth.
The atmosphere is also updated - it is the 2000's, Carrie uses the Internet to look up an explanation of her abilities, all the outfits and fashion trends shown are appropriate for the decade, and what have you. The interviews are also part of this, as this technique is more commonly used nowadays. The interviews actually add some dimension to the movie by showing the thoughts and impressions of the survivors. This movie is a definite solid adaptation, and is actually more faithful to the book in a couple of places than the original movie was, so kudos for that!
Movie Review: A Better Telling
Summary: 4 Stars
Better than the first filmed version of Stephen King's premier novel, the TV version of Carrie packs more punch in its portrayal of the characters. Carrie's tormentors are more cruel in their treatment of the hapless girl, while Margaret White seems more 'sane' in her religious mania than how Piper Laurie played the role in 1976. If a fanatic can be considered balanced, Patricia Clarkson pulls it off admirably.
The abuse and victimization of Carrie herself shows in Angela Bettis' eyes throughout the movie. The character's fear of her entire world can almost be felt through the screen from the start of the movie, making her unenviable and almost pitiful. So when Carrie starts defying her mother, you can't help but root for her. By the time of Carrie's final humiliation, it's hard to keep from cheering as the town and its horrid citizens go up in flames. And with an ending different from the book and first movie version, the viewer can easily breathe a sigh of relief that in some twisted way justice has been served.
While certainly not Oscar material nor was it meant to be, the remake of Carrie is well worth the time spent watching it.