The Rage: Carrie 2
by Katt Shea
Our Price: $15.94
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $5.10 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Amy Irving, Dylan Bruno, Emily Bergl, J. Smith-Cameron, Jason LondonDirector: Katt Shea
Cinematographer: Donald M. Morgan
Editor: Richard Nord
Producer: Patrick J. Palmer
Producer: Paul Monash
Writer: Rafael Moreu
Writer: Stephen King
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled)
Format: AC-3, Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Special Edition, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 104 minutes
DVD Release Date: 1999-10-12
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Movie Reviews of The Rage: Carrie 2
Movie Review: The Joys and HORROR of the High School Experience
Summary: 5 Stars
I wasn't expecting much from Katt Shea's 1999 "Carrie" sequel "The Rage: Carrie 2." Most sequels pale in comparison to the original film. Take for instance "Friday the 13th Part III" or "V;" both films are worth catching for various reasons, but their goofy elements make them essentially throw-away flicks. This is not the case with "The Rage." "The Rage" is a serious high school drama that includes the sub-theme of telekinesis and ends in utter, tragic horror.
The basic plot is the same as Stephen King's original, albeit with a stronger person as the title character. Hence, "The Rage" could be viewed as a modern remake as much as a sequel. In fact, it's not even necessary to see the original to appreciate it.
THE PLOT: A social outcast in high school slowly becomes aware that she has telekinetic abilities. These powers are ultimately unleashed with lethal fury when the popular kids pull a meanspirited prank on her.
WHAT WORKS: First of all, I'm glad "The Rage" doesn't have the creepy Pharisaical mother like in the original. This is one aspect that I couldn't stand about "Carrie." It (sort of) gave the impression that anyone who takes the teachings of Christianity seriously will become a warped, hideous, deathly, abusive killjoy like Carrie's mother. Actually, although there are indeed modern-day Pharisees in Christendom, nothing could be further from the truth. Authentic Christianity gives true liberty, life and joy, not the opposite (see, for example, John 8:31-32, John 10:10 and 1 Peter 1:8). Don't take me wrong here, I'm not preachin' too you.
Emily Bergl well plays Carrie's half-sister Rachel. She's an outcast like Carrie but she's stronger, more confident and doesn't have a dream to fit in with the popular kids. One of the film's themes is: Does love really exist? Rachel says she doesn't believe in love. Her mother's in a mental institution. She's a foster child and her foster parents clearly only have her for the extra money, not because they love her.
Any teenager or adult can readily relate to the situations or issues addressed in the film:
- The common cliques: the "popular" crowd, oversexed jocks, snooty cheerleaders, rich kids and their parents, nerds, outcasts, etc.
- Pre-mature sexual experience and the resulting emotional turmoil.
- Suicide.
- First love, true love.
- Being attracted to or dating someone outside your social stratum.
- Football, players, fandom and hardcore coaching antics.
- Friendship, rivalry, fights.
- Partying.
"The Rage" successfully brings to life all these joys and horrors of the high school experience.
One interesting aspect of the film is the character of Jesse, played by Jason London. The story shows that Jesse truly loves Rachel. What is it about Rachel that attracts him? It's certainly not that she's conventionally beautiful like his ex-girlfriend, although she's definitely not ugly either. Perhaps Jesse sees the superficiality and conformity of the spoiled "popular kids" clique and is naturally attracted to someone more humble, loving and genuine, like Rachel. Also observe that Jesse isn't a conformist, even though he's technically part of the popular kids clique: Because of his love for a social outcast he fearlessly stands up to the most popular (arrogant) jock; everyone on the team gets his head shaved except Jesse, etc.
It's interesting to note that, although Rachel is portrayed as a misfit that likes Marilyn Manson (see the poster on her bedroom wall), she's definitely not a rebellious, disrespectful teenager. Note that she never "answers back" her loveless foster 'father.' Note that she works, isn't promiscuous and isn't a party monger.
Another positive is that "The Rage" is clearly respectful of the film it stems from and its fans. It even brings back the lone survivor of the original, Sue Snell (Amy Irving), 23 years later, as a school counselor who had spent time in a mental institution to recover from the original tragedy. Tie-ins are a must for true sequels.
Also, during the closing credits you'll hear the song "Crazy Little Voices" by the Egyptian band Ra. The DVD is worth owning just for this outstanding song. Ra play a unique, eccentric style of metal, sort of along the lines of System of a Down. The song is not available on their proper albums, but it is available on the "The Rage" soundtrack cd or you can hear it on youtube.
WHAT DOESN'T WORK: I personally feel Jesse and Rachel make love too prematurely (I think on their third date). However, this can be overlooked on the grounds that their sexual union is linked to the end-plot and that real-time has to be condensed into an hour and 45 minute film.
"The Rage" doesn't include the horrific pig's blood of the original (how could one possibly ever forget that horrifying image of Carrie?), nor does it include the death-of-a-dream angle. But I'm glad it doesn't. This is properly ANOTHER take on the same basic story. There should be differences and nuances.
FINAL ANALYSIS: As usual there are people who hate "The Rage" simply because it's a sequel/remake. I encourage you to be openminded and allow yourself to enjoy a different take on the same basic plot. (Some people see way too many films to the point that it's almost like they're unable to simply enjoy a good picture). Both films have their strengths. In some ways "The Rage" is better than "Carrie."
This film was a pleasant surprise for me. It's definitely not a weak or campy sequal/remake; rather it's a strong late-90s update. It effectively showcases the joys and horrors of the high school years. Depending on your tastes it's a 4 or 5 Star film. I officially rate it 4.5 Stars. And even if you don't like it for whatever reason it would be ridiculous to rate it less than 3 Stars. It's simply too well made of a picture -- cast, acting, locations (Dallas & Charlotte, North Carolina), story, etc. Enjoy.
Summary of The Rage: Carrie 2
Welcome to Bates High School. The lesson for today: stay on Rachel Lang's good side because this outcast teen has a fiery temper that can't be controlled! Joining her in the halls are Jason London (Dazed and Confused), Dylan Bruno (Saving Private Ryan), J. Smith-Cameron (In & Out), Zachery Ty Bryan ( Home Improvement ) and Amy Irving (Carrie) for an explosion of supernatural violence (Variety) that will keep you on the edge of your seat to the blazing, bloody end! Rachel (Emily Bergl) is a high school outcast who gets caught in the middle of a vicious prankorchestrated by a group of over-sexed jocksthat turns deadly. Once the police bring one of the boys in for questioning, his pals target Rachel for squealing and hatch a devious scheme to publicly humiliate her. But messing with Rachel is worse than playing with fire for when her temper's crossed it triggers a powder-keg of anger and unleashes special powers that can turn a fun house party into a mad-house inferno!The best stuff in this ridiculously conceived sequel to Brian De Palma's groundbreaking '70s classic are the occasional, too-brief flashbacks to De Palma's groundbreaking '70s classic. They occur in the mind of Sue Snell (Amy Irving, shamelessly reprising her role), the only main character left alive during Carrie's prom revenge freakout. After a brief stint in an insane asylum, Snell is now a therapist at a suburban high school and is currently counseling Rachel Lang (Emily Bergl). Rachel isn't like other girls. When Rachel gets really mad, she moves things with her mind. Rachel's been really mad lately, because her best friend jumped from a rooftop in the first 10 minutes of this movie. Even though there's absolutely no development of this relationship, don't doubt it: we know they're best friends because they have matching tattoos. Rachel's friend lost it because she was the latest victim in a fun game that members of the football team play off the field in which they keep a running count of how many girls they can seduce, using a rating scale based on appearance. Of course, there's a nice one, Jesse (Jason London), who feels guilty about playing the game and falls for Carrie, er, Rachel. Everything appears to be changing for Rachel, but Jesse's friends have other plans. Snell knows what's up, however, and it's pretty funny watching her explain it to Rachel: "I've been through this movie before" is essentially what she says, but Rachel doesn't want to hear that she's not an original character, that she's a cheap, slightly hardened and revised '90s rip-off with no autonomy. It makes Rachel want to move things with her mind. --Dave McCoy
Similar DVD Movies
Riding the Bullet (Widescreen Edition)Lions Gate; Release date: 2005-04-19; DVD
Best price: $1.96
Price in other shops:
Pet Sematary (Special Collector's Edition)PARAMOUNT HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2006-09-26; DVD
Best price: $5.81
Price in other shops:
Salem's Lot - The MiniseriesRelease date: 2004-10-12; Published: 2004-10-01; DVD
Best price: $5.11
Price in other shops:
FearNBC Universal; Release date: 1998-10-27; DVD
Best price: $4.26
Price in other shops:
I Know What You Did Last SummerHEWITT,JENNIFER LOV; Release date: 1998-06-16; DVD
Best price: $2.97
Price in other shops:
The FacultyEBH; Release date: 2011-04-12; DVD
Best price: $2.91
Price in other shops:
Children of the CornIMG; Release date: 2011-09-06; DVD
Best price: $4.89
Price in other shops:
Firestarter: Two-Movie CollectionMCA; Release date: 2004-06-01; DVD
Best price: $5.41
Price in other shops:
CarrieSony; Release date: 2003-08-12; DVD
Best price: $3.00
Price in other shops:
Carrie (Special Edition)SPACEK,SISSY; Release date: 2001-08-28; DVD
Best price: $6.48
Price in other shops: