Rating: 
Summary: Awesome!
Review: I first saw this remake of "Carrie" on channel 10 TV, and I loved it. Angela Bettis is outstanding as Carrie White and gives a great performance. The whole movie is awesome, and very scary. I also have seen the original "Carrie" with Sissy Spacek, but in my opinion, I think this version of Carrie is better than the original, and is more faithful to the book. If you're a Stephen King fan or a horror movie fan, I highly recommend this movie. I also wish this was realeased in the movies :)
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Enough To Merit A Viewing
Review: Originally intended to serve as a backdoor pilot to a possible weekly series, this TV movie version of "Carrie" nevertheless still works fine on its own and is told interestingly enough to merit a viewing. This time around the story is more faithful to Stephen King's novel and the filmmakers used a more gritty, gothic style in making the movie, thus making it a completely different film than the original "Carrie" in 1976. On its own, this version is a relatively good movie with some solid performances, especially from the two leads, and some decent if not always perfectly-rendered visual effects sequences. Still, the wrap-around story dealing with the police investigation of Carrie White cuts into the film too often and gives it a sort of jagged, disjointed feel. The film itself is a bit overlong (although it was required to fit into a three-hour running time including commercials so this is understandable) and some scenes tend to drag. Despite all its flaws, however, this version of "Carrie" is still worth viewing, although ultimately the original Brian DePalma 1976 version is a much better film.
Rating:
Summary: Remember, This is an adaptation of the original novel
Review: This is in response to some of the previous reviews for this film. One should realize that this is an adaptation of Stephen King's original novel. It is not a remake of Brian de Palma's 1976 movie. If you read the novel and then compare with this telefilm you will find that it is one of the most faithful transfers from book to film. Just wanted to wake some people. Also, Angela Bettis's performance doesn't surpass Sissy Spacek's but it isn't any less in my humble opinion, kudos to her portrayal of Carrie and to the rest of the cast and crew. A truly accurate portrayal of high school life.
Rating: 
Summary: A Treat For Fans of The Original King Novel
Review: Though I enjoyed the original film that was made by Brian DePalma, who I always felt was a modern-day Hitchcock. I really 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 more upbeat ending--which I appreciated because the ending of the book always bothered me. 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.
Rating:
Summary: Better than the original
Review: Of course, as a remake, the film is going to incite scrutiny. I still feel that the remake of Carrie is better.Carrie was Stephen King's first novel which I loved. I was so dissapointed at the DaPalma movie because it was so unfaithful to Stephen King and his classic book. Many original (and important) plot events were scrapped. The name of the school was even changed from Ewen to Bates. The scenes in which Carrie kills her mother and where she uses her telekinesis to kill off Billy Nolan are switched around. Most of all, concerning plot, I don't know where in hell the writers for the DaPalma film got the idea for their last scene (she takes a bath, then the crucifixion of her mother with kitchen knives, and the house burnins down.) Stephen King's original conception in the book is much better (no bathtub, just Margaret stabs Carrie who, in turn, stops her heart, and Carrie crawls around half-dead in the destroyed town when, at last, she is confronted by Billy and Chris Hargensen, and our heroin uses her telekinesis to flip their car over. Then Carrie is found by Sue and Carrie dies in Sue's arms.) And there is no tacky finale in which the house sinks into the ground. Neither the original or remake use this ending, and in the remake, Carrie is even shown to survive the ordeal and move to Florida. I hope at least alternative endings will be available on the DVD. In Da Palma's film, I also felt some of the characters which were "transcribed" from the book were shallow -John Travolta's Billy Nolan, for one. In the remake, however, Billy is that intimidating, mischevious, yet demonic teen that your kids go to school with. John Travolta's Billy just seemed... well... dumb. Whoever actor is that plays Billy in the remake, does it better. In the original, the important character, Mrs. Desjardin is omitted and changed to Mrs. Collins, another rather shallower person than portrayed in King's book. There was no angry fire in the scene where she reprimands the girls for their treatment of Carrie (and even goes as far as throwing Chris Hargensen against a locker- one of my favorite parts of King's book). But at least in the remake, Stephen King's character is back. And, in my opinion, one of the more interesting characters too. I like Angela Bettis's acting much better than Sissy Spacek's. The reason why is that Sissy Spacek's characterization was so mousy that it seemed fake. Ms. Bettis's portrayal is more real, and I can even identify an "Angela Bettis Carrie" when I wait to pick up my kids from school. Spacek, who is a great actress nontheless, does not convince me. Sue is also more interesting in the remake. Here, she really appears remorseful for Carrie. Amy Irving in the original did just fine. The actress in the remake, however, is the better candidate. My favorite character is Margaret White. Piper Laurie is fantastic, but she can get too... "Broadway" at times. You really see the abuse and fanaticism in the later actress. Among my favorite scenes that do not appear in the original, but in the remake and in the book are: the parent/teacher conference with Chris Hargansen's father, the destruction of the town, Mrs. Desjardin's angry locker room scene, the scene where Carrie literally "throws" her mom out of her bedroom using telekinis, Carrie's first real self-training of her powers with a hairbrush, and Jackie Talbot as messenger to Chris and Billy's motel room after the disaster, and others. Aside from my praises, a few small rants against the remake: the aerial views of the burning town in the remake look very fake, and hopefully they will fix this problem by the time the DVD is released. Also, the ending is unfaithful to the book-- Carrie LIVES! We even see her driving to Florida in disguise with Sue Snell. Hopefully, again, they will fix this problem by the time the DVD is released (perhaps with an alternate ending feature?) In short, I enjoyed this new effort better than the old, DaPalma effort (which I watched immediately after viewing the remake for comparison). It was more faithful to the book plotwise, charactereise, and with the dialogues, and the characters and the way they develop is far more superior.
Rating: 
Summary: One time viewing recommended
Review: This is the kind of film that you will probably only want to watch once. You'll want to watch it if you've seen the original (which is a great film in itself) but don't keep your hopes up high as this remake really falls short. The DVD really has no extras so far from what I can tell except for some trailers on other movies such as "The Howling" and "The Fog". Amazon states that this DVD has "TV spots" on the DVD but I have yet to find them which means that there aren't any TV spots on the disc or they're hidden. The picture quality isn't all that great though considering this was made for TV I guess I'll let it slide. This is a bare bones disc that only fans of the remake will probably buy. I only bought it because I love the original movie and that this version has never been played in Australia (to my understanding). I'm not sure if it ever would have gotten played here in Australia. I'm kind of disappointed, I was expecting something better. Check it out. The gym teacher looks like Demi Moore's long lost twin sister, lol.
Rating:
Summary: Problematic Remake Of A 1976 Horror Masterpiece
Review: Like a good number of remakes of classic movies, especially in the horror genre, the 2002 NBC-TV remaking of CARRIE is a problematic film. The basic allure of Stephen King's first novel, which touches on religious fanaticism, high school fascism, and telekinesis, is as relevant now as it was in 1976, when Brian DePalma's film was released. Even a good premise, however, can be derailed by mediocre execution, as was the case in the TV remake of THE SHINING or in the 1999 "sequel" THE RAGE: CARRIE 2. Angela Bettis does a good enough job as the tormented Carrie White. Given that she has some pretty big shoes to fill, namely those of Sissy Spacek who had received an Oscar nod for the role in 1976, I think Bettis does better than most. Patricia Clarkson is fair as the unglued Margaret White, although her low-key insanity still might make one pine for Piper Laurie's extremist performance in the first film. But for me, what undid this film were not only the many politically correct cosmetic changes to the identities of her torturing classmates (the Sue Snell character is African-American here), but the fact that the bucket of blood scene is poorly done. When it's poured on Bettis, it just looks like what it is--red syrup. In the original, when the blood hits Spacek, it slams into her like a tidal wave (thanks to DePalma's slow motion), creating such an emotional impact that caused that film to transcend the mere boundaries of horror. The CARRIE remake is thus forever in the shadow of the original, even as Bettis' performance stands on its own. It is an okay film, even for TV; but for a true combination of horror and drama, the 1976 original is still the one to watch.
Rating:
Summary: So Much Better
Review: Carrie White (portrayed by Angela Bettis) is your typical High school girl...except she is hated by all, and she has telekinesis. This movie is alot better than the original for many reasons. First of all, i am only 15, so i am going to think that the special effects are better right off the bat. I loved the original, but this one is so much better. I have read the book, and this one follows the book pretty much to the t. For instance, in the shower scene, they weren't supposed to yell "PLUG IT UP!", but rather "period" over and over. Also, the way the mother dies follows the book rather than the original. This is the way the movie was meant to be, and this version should've been made in 76, rather than the original. It would've worked just as good, had the original cast been in this version...These stars are just as good though.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as The original but a nice try
Review: First of all the Carrie with Sissy Spacek is a classic and always will be. when i first heard this was coming on tv i was wondering what to expect, being the original carrie is my favorite movie. well i wasnt dissapointed but i wasnt thrilled. Angela Bettis is an excellant actor. She pulled the part off. This version stuck closer to the book, and the acting was good for the most part. The ending was pretty stupid(leaving room for a sequel). but the prom scene was interesting . all in all a nice try but it doesnt compare to the original. patricia clarkson and the gym teacher also turned in convincing roles. look for angela bettis in may(an excellant movie) and girl interrupted.
Rating:
Summary: Better story background
Review: I like the King books to television better then the movie versions because you get more story and a clearer picture of what is happening and why. (perfect example...The Shining, I thought the movie inhaled much wind quickly) I also like it for the fact that Tommy Ross was actually good looking in this version! The only thing I liked about the original movie was Piper Laurie, she was just too creepy and way too believable with her part. The more involved story gave better insight to why everything was happening. That's the problem with movies, they have to move fast through the plot so the attention deprived movie watcher won't lose interest and wander out of the theatre. Which means for those of us who don't mind long movies, we lose the attention to detail that would actually make the theater releases more enjoyable. (...)
|
