Carrie (2002)

Nobody would argue with the thought that Sissy Spacek is the perfect heroine of Stephen King's scary tale of teenage telekinesis. But in a pinch, Angela Bettis, the star of this 2002 TV remake, fills Spacek's bloody shoes very well. Bettis--who expertly plays a similar role in the indie horror pic May--gets all the loner pathos of poor Carrie White, equally tormented by her cool classmates and her religious-fanatic mom (Patricia Clarkson). Her transformation from doormat to vengeful prom queen remains surefire wish fulfillment for anyone who ever felt a misfit in high school. Despite Bettis's intensity, it's difficult to justify remaking Carrie when Brian De Palma's 1976 version is enshrined as a classic of its kind (especially given the pedestrian TV-movie production values on display here). This one delivers its jolts, but when you could just as easily spend time with Spacek and De Palma, why bother? --Robert Horton Amazon.com

JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE CHEMISTRY AS THE FIRST ONE

I avoided this movie ever since it came out,because i thought the original Carrie was perfect ,and i was right. I finally rented the newer version of Carrie,i thought the new cast just didn't have that chemistry like the original. I don't understand why they would take a strong film and make a weak film. I didn't like any of the cast members. I mean Sissy Spacek is Carrie no one can top her performance, and Piper Laurie as Margret White just blew me away in the original and also Betty Buckley and Nancy Allen were terrific. I know they went more by the book, i would have rather seen the original updated with the deleted seens,like were carrie was little and was talking to the teenage girl next door about her dirty pillows but other than that the original movie was perfect,no need for this one. October 1, 2008

A fine job

Though the original film version of this story is a legitimate classic, this TV movie remake is a worthwhile interpretation of Stephen King's novel. Many people have cited the ending of this version as a weakness, and I'd have to say I agree. Still, Angela Bettis was brilliant, the prom scene was energetic and emotional, and the film had momentum, style, and elegance. Easy to dismiss but not so easy to appreciate, this remake does justice to King's novel, and is worth your time. Take another look. May 28, 2008

A Better Telling

Better than the first filmed version of Stephen King's premier novel, the TV version of Carrie packs more punch in its portrayal of the characters. Carrie's tormentors are more cruel in their treatment of the hapless girl, while Margaret White seems more 'sane' in her religious mania than how Piper Laurie played the role in 1976. If a fanatic can be considered balanced, Patricia Clarkson pulls it off admirably.

The abuse and victimization of Carrie herself shows in Angela Bettis' eyes throughout the movie. The character's fear of her entire world can almost be felt through the screen from the start of the movie, making her unenviable and almost pitiful. So when Carrie starts defying her mother, you can't help but root for her. By the time of Carrie's final humiliation, it's hard to keep from cheering as the town and its horrid citizens go up in flames. And with an ending different from the book and first movie version, the viewer can easily breathe a sigh of relief that in some twisted way justice has been served.

While certainly not Oscar material nor was it meant to be, the remake of Carrie is well worth the time spent watching it.
March 3, 2008

It Could have Been Better

A lot of people think this remake of Carrie is a great movie, but I can't agree with that. Compared to the origanl, this movie is just a little too cold; it lacks the passion of the original. I won't give away the ending of this movie, but it's a lot more lame than the original movie that had the kitchen knives flying-- well, while I knew what telekinesis could do to a heart, shown here is too much of a yawn compared to other more visceral movies like the Scanners films. If this is being faithful to the book, I'm glad I never finished reading it.

Okay, this movies is just nice to see something different, but not really different enough to go "Wow!" over. It's okay to watch on a dull Sunday afternoon when there's nothing else on, but it's just not enough. It's just not quite enough... November 9, 2007

Very good remake

Angela Bettis is superb as Carrie. Of course this role will always be sissy spacek's, but Angela fills in wonderfully, and the special effects for a tv movie are amazing. Highly recommend if your a horror movie fan, it's not really scary per say, just a great story. October 10, 2007

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