Writer: Lawrence D Cohen, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Screenplay) Stephen King (Novel)
Starring: Julianne Moore, Chloe Grace Moretz, Gabriella Wilde, Portia Doubleday, Zoe Belkin, Samantha Weinstein, Katie Strain, Karissa Strain, Ansel Elgort
Plot: A re-imagining of the classic horror tale about Carrie White, a shy girl outcast by her peers and sheltered by her deeply religious mother, who unleashes telekinetic terror on her small town after being pushed too far at her senior prom.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Strong Re-Imagining
Story: Carrie starts by having Margaret White (Moore) giving birth to Carrie and her religious beliefs questioning whether she should keep the baby and use it as a test. Carrie (Moretz) grown into a teenage girl who is an outcast from the rest of the class mates, and much like the original she gets her first period during gym class where the rest of the bullies her giving us a first glimpse into her telekinetic powers.
While Carrie does seem stronger this time around she still falls prey to her mother’s religious beliefs, but this time with newer technology comes newer style of bullying with the video of the locker room incident being put online by leader of the bullies Chris (Doubleday).
With Carrie learning about her telekinetic powers her old friend Sue (Wilde) whoo was one of the bullies decides to make up for her part by asking her boyfriend Tommy (Elgort) to Carrie to the prom, but her good deed works in the favour of banned from prom bully Chris which leads to the iconic scene at prom night.
Carrie is a film that would easily be compared to one of the most popular horror films of the 70’s. I have to say I enjoyed how this film embraced the idea of having the modern technology to increase the bullying factor which is needed for the development of both Carrie and Chris. Talking of Chris I did like how her character got pushed to the next level. I also liked how Carrie learnt more about her powers and actually understands them by the time of the prom. On the down side because it is only fair I do feel that Carrie never really looks like an outcast or a victim of bullying apart from that locker room scene. When the modern audience watch this film they will enjoy it but the fans of the original will not like how certain scenes feel like copies. (7/10)
Actor Review
Julianne Moore: Margaret White is the religious mother of Carrie who sees every moment as a test to please her God while harming herself every time she believes she does wrong. She has a grip over Carrie but not as strong as the first version of Margaret. Julianne does a good job in thie role making her feel all the more demanding. (7/10)
Chloe Grace Moretz: Carrie White is our leading teenage girl who is considered and outcast by her class mates, when she has her first period it unlocks a chain of events with her telekinetic powers that keep getting stronger. After getting bullied she gets the chance to go to prom but what happens there will show just how powerful she has become. Chloe does good in parts and I like what she does with the character but I don’t think she reaches the levels of previous versions. (6/10)
Gabriella Wilde: Sue Snell is the former friend of Carrie who decides to help make up for her part in the bullying by getting her boyfriend to take Carrie to the prom. Gabriella does a solid job in this role. (6/10)
Portia Doubleday: Chris is the leader of the bullies who gets banned from prom for not accepting the punishment but she won’t give up on her prom dream quietly as she plans her own revenge for being banned. Portia does a god job as the lead bully. (7/10)
Support Cast: Carrie has the similar supporting cast to the first film, but I did feel like Billy felt darker, and Tommy felt like a good guy which in the original they both just seemed to do what girlfriends say.
Director Review: Kimberly Peirce – Kimberly brings her own style to this film and does a good job to make certain scenes stick out more and brings it all into the modern technology world. (7/10)
Horror: Carrie doesn’t reach the horror levels the film should do. (5/10)
Settings: Carrie uses the same settings as the first one, which all work for the story. (7/10)
Special Effects: Carrie uses good effects for the prom scene. (8/10)
Suggestion: Carrie is one for the King fans to watch, I do think it is a good look for the modern telling of the story. (King Fans Watch)
Best Part: The Prom
Worst Part: The blood bucket doesn’t need 3 cuts scenes.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $ 35 Million
Budget: $30 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes
Tagline: Know her name. Fear her power.
Overall: Good Remake that brings the terror in the final prom scene.
Rating