The 2013 rendition of Stephen King’s acclaimed novel “Carrie,” although not atrocious, is uninspiring and ultimately unnecessary.
Stephen King published his original novel “Carrie,” the story of a pre-pubescent girl with telekinetic powers, in 1973.
The novel nearly failed to be when King threw the original manuscript into the trash out of frustration.
His wife retrieved the story and convinced him not to give up on it.
“Carrie’s” success stemmed several adaptations-the 1976 Brian De Palma feature-film, a Broadway musical, a feature-film sequel, and a television movie.
The latest version, Kimberly Peirce’s feature-film remake, failed to produce the terror the De Palma did in 1976.
Raking in less than $20 million in its opening weekend “Carrie” proved unpopular.
Although a carbon copy in many ways to its predecessor, “Carrie” had several key differences.
For one, Peirce did a commendable job of transporting Carrie White into a modern era.
Another surprising alteration was the further development in several scenes that improved upon the 1976 version.
De Palma’s pig-bashing scene is quick, painless and seems misplaced.
The addition of having Chris slit the hog’s throat viscerally revealed a sinister side to her character going beyond typical high school jealousy.
As expected the special effects trumped that of the original.
So why did Peirce’s “Carrie” go up in flames?
It was severely lacking depth in the most essential role-Carrie White.
Chloe Grace Mortez (2013 “Carrie”) although personable and cute as a button, paled in comparison to Sissy Spacek (1976 “Carrie”).
When the infamous bucket of sticky-crimson splashed down staining Spacek’s soft-pink dress she transformed into this evil creature incinerating everything, and everyone, in its path – even those closest to her.
Mortez targeted only those who bullied her and gave the rest of the school a well-deserved free-pass, allowing the audience to still stand by her in the end-it was awkwardly adorable.
Spacek was so terrifying that she, at the end of the film, still haunts the dreams of the sole-survivor, Sue Snell.