Carrie (d. Kimberly Peirce USA 2013)
Carrie (d. Kimberly Peirce USA 2013)
Please read ‘On Reviews‘ for a guide to how I write film reviews. Any spoilers are appropriately marked and, though I personally prefer to know little about a film before seeing it, there is a synopsis at the bottom for any who wish to see one.
Entertainment: 
Performances:
Predictability:
Technical:
Carrie (d. Brian De Palma USA 1976) was the first of a few successful Stephen King adaptations. The film boasts an impressive blend of genres and some original technical aspects, such as a split screen focus used to masterfully connect two central characters whilst disregarding the surrounding space. For many people this film was perfect. The film, groundbreaking at its time, and much like The Evil Dead (d. Sam Raimi USA 1980), has been the subject of a recent remake. Whereas Evil Dead (d. Fede Alvarez USA 2013) feels a little insulting, Carrie (2013) feels far more respectful. This being said, both remakes are unnecessary. The brilliance of the film before it far overshadows its remake and both feel like attempts to modernise or improve a perfect film – therefore it’s still a little insulting.
Carrie (1976) was very daring in its presentation of its characters, especially for the time. This can be seen in the opening sequence for the film especially, demonstrating the film as one not to hold back. Interestingly, this element is lost in Carrie (2013). This demonstrates a differing tone between the two films. In addition to this, there is an element of modernisation as the bullying takes on forms that embracing the technology of the day which was not a part of Carrie (1976) – again a different tone. A similar change in tone is reflected by the importance given to some of the supporting cast. Some of the male cast including the prom king, Tommy Ross (Ansel Elgort in 2013, William Katt in 1976), are given less importance in favour of some of the female supporting cast members. Making the 2013 remake a much more feminine feel. Unfortunately, it means that the male characters end up being no more than puppets, their actions dependant on the female characters decisions.
With regards to some of the other elements of the film, if we were to take Carrie (2013) on its own merits, they don’t fare so well either. Technically this film is often bland, they serve to run through the motions without any attempt at originality or even to compliment the action. The performances of the principal cast wasn’t exactly of a high standard either, though Julianne Moore (Margaret White) creates a rather interesting take on the psychological depth of her character. What the film does, however, do is offer scene after scene that keeps very true to Carrie (1976). Though they are offered in a new way, the scene themselves are based on very similar concepts, locations and with the same characters. There is essentially a feeling that they were trying to create a loving homage.
Carrie (2013) seems to be taking advantage of a current trend in cinema towards nostalgia. This film looks back on its predecessor and brings it to a modern world. Yet another horror remake, one wonders what’s happened to the horror genre recently. A distinct lack of originality appears present in a lot of the horror films to be released recently and there are more to come. Each and every one of them attempting to recreate for a modern american audience, a once brilliant film.
Further Reading
Interview with Kimberly Peirce
Interview with Kimberly Peirce 2
Carrie 1976 They’re All Going to Laugh at You
Synopsis
A young girl who is bullied by her peers and lives a protected life by her single religious mother, then finds that she has telekinetic powers. Meanwhile, some of her peers take pity on her and try to do nice for her, whilst others plan for more vile bullying methods.
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