This is an updated version where the Internet, social media sites, video streaming and smartphones have a major influence on today's teenagers.
They story hasn't changed - girl with religious fanatic mother struggles to be 'normal', gets bullied in school, finally breaks down and kills almost everyone with her telekinetic powers.
But the execution has. It could have done better in creating and maintaining suspense, but usually, whatever suspense is created is either quickly extinguished or dragged on too long without new input. The saving grace is in the last act when Carrie finally unleashes her full power.
There are details that stretch the story's credibility (beyond what is expected in Carrie). How many teenagers these days still check out library books for a subject like magic powers? How is the mother not more concerned about the seemingly-diabolical powers her daughter seem to possess or attract? Why does a school where there is blatant bullying targeted against one person appear to do nothing, even when there is a damning video posted online? And the transition of Carrie from being scared of her mother to deliberate instant rebellion was too abrupt for my taste.
I found the acting to be good for the most part. Chloë Grace Moretz plays the role of a confused and conflicted Carrie well, though at times I wish to see more expressions of the conflict within her. I had hoped that the movie had uglified her more too - she's pretty enough you wonder why she doesn't have any friends or suitors, even among the outcasts at school. Julianne Moore is not entirely convincing as a religious fanatic mother though. She simply does not appear unbalanced enough to me. I thought Sue Snell did a better job as the gym teacher with smarts and a heart. The supporting cast were okay for the most part. I didn't really care for the 'good' ones though. The villainous teens actually had me more emotionally involved.
While there isn't much to particularly recommend about this film, the final 20 minutes saves the film from mediocrity.
They story hasn't changed - girl with religious fanatic mother struggles to be 'normal', gets bullied in school, finally breaks down and kills almost everyone with her telekinetic powers.
But the execution has. It could have done better in creating and maintaining suspense, but usually, whatever suspense is created is either quickly extinguished or dragged on too long without new input. The saving grace is in the last act when Carrie finally unleashes her full power.
There are details that stretch the story's credibility (beyond what is expected in Carrie). How many teenagers these days still check out library books for a subject like magic powers? How is the mother not more concerned about the seemingly-diabolical powers her daughter seem to possess or attract? Why does a school where there is blatant bullying targeted against one person appear to do nothing, even when there is a damning video posted online? And the transition of Carrie from being scared of her mother to deliberate instant rebellion was too abrupt for my taste.
I found the acting to be good for the most part. Chloë Grace Moretz plays the role of a confused and conflicted Carrie well, though at times I wish to see more expressions of the conflict within her. I had hoped that the movie had uglified her more too - she's pretty enough you wonder why she doesn't have any friends or suitors, even among the outcasts at school. Julianne Moore is not entirely convincing as a religious fanatic mother though. She simply does not appear unbalanced enough to me. I thought Sue Snell did a better job as the gym teacher with smarts and a heart. The supporting cast were okay for the most part. I didn't really care for the 'good' ones though. The villainous teens actually had me more emotionally involved.
While there isn't much to particularly recommend about this film, the final 20 minutes saves the film from mediocrity.