Friday 8 November 2013

REVIEW: CARRIE (2013)



When it comes to movie remakes in Hollywood, expectations are always very high. There have been many movie remakes over the years and the majority of it were failures at the box office. The movie I am going to review is a remake of a cult classic from the 1970s.

World renowned best-selling author Stephen King is famous over the years for writing suspense thriller stories. One of his earliest novels, Carrie, was adapted for the screen under the direction of famed director Brian De Palma. The film was released in 1976 and starred Sissy Spacek in the title role. Rounding up the supporting cast were Piper Laurie, Amy Irving, William Katt, and a very young John Travolta. I did watch this film adaptation many years ago.

The remake this time around is directed by Kimberly Peirce. Carrie (2013) stars Chloe Grace Moretz (Kick-Ass, Kick-Ass 2, Hugo) in the title role. Other cast members include Julianne Moore, Judy Greer, Gabrielle Wilde, Ansel Elgort, Portia Doubleday, and Alex Russell.

Will this remake live up to expectations? I will review this film as though I am watching it for the first time and not compare to the original film. Do read on...

Chloe Grace Moretz as Carrie and Julianne Moore as her mother Margaret
SYNOPSIS:
Carrie White (Chloe Moretz) is in her senior year in high school and will soon graduate. Despite being a student for so many years, she still has the difficulty of adapting with fellow students and constantly bullied. This is attributed partly to being brought up by an overbearing religious mother who controls her. One day, she discovers that he has the ability to move objects known as telekinesis. She uses this ability to her advantage towards the people around her with unexpected consequences.

Chloe Grace Moretz as Carrie

SCRIPT:Weak and lack imagination. The plots were scattered and the dialogue was uninteresting. The motif was not clearly outlined and were not engaging enough for the audience.

ACTING:
Despite a lame script, there was some fine acting. Chloe Moretz did very well as Carrie and so did Julianne Moore as Carrie's mother. The supporting cast were relative newcomers in acting. Their roles were uninteresting though some played critical parts towards the plot. I would have preferred some prominent actors fill in the supporting cold.
Carrie's nemesis Chris Hargensen (right) played by Portia Doubleday
FILMING:
Mediocre and lack of style. Kimberly Peirce, who directed the award winning Boys Don't Cry (1999) which garnered Hilary Swank her Best Actress Oscar, should have done better. I do understand the need for the director to distinguish herself from the previous film but even if she did, the movie felt boring. The visual effects were mediocre too.

Julianne Moore as Margaret
PACING:
Draggy and boring from the start until the end. Even the climax was uninteresting.

TONE (MOOD):
A teenager fueled with vengeance who has temptations to destroy things while juggling learning the meaning of being a teenager.


Moretz and Moore in a scene from the film

DOWNSIDE:
Poor script and poor pacing.

UPSIDE:
Very good acting from Chloe Grace Moretz.

Carrie gets angry.
OVERALL:
This not the best of movie remakes but if you are a fan of Chloe Grace Moretz, this film might interest you.

RATING:
4.5 out of 10

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