Carrie

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Sporting a strong sense of the seventies, the original Brian De Palma Carrie really needed an update for the 21st century. Thanks to Kimberly Pierce, we now have one. Exuding a talented cast, the 2013 remake of Carrie has enough to satisfy its audience, but never impressed me to the extent that it could have.

For those unfamiliar with the story, this adaptation of Stephen King's novel is about high schooler Carrie White. In this version, she's portrayed by Chloë Grace Moretz. Daughter of a religious fanatic (Julianne Moore), Carrie grows up a social outcast, isolated from her peers. During a traumatizing moment of maturation, Carrie discovers she has telekinesis - the ability to move things with her mind. The entire movie leads up to a bloody massacre at her high school prom, where her cruel classmates drop pig's blood on her while she's on stage.

So where did Carrie go right? First and foremost, the casting was near perfect. Julianne Moore was hauntingly convincing in her role as Margret White, and easily gave one of the year's most noteworthy performances. Sympathetic and spiteful and the right times, Judy Greer was flawless in her role as Miss Desjardin, Carrie's gym coach. Carrie's most antagonistic bully is Chris, portrayed by Portia Doubleday, who brings the soulless high school girl to life in the most effective way. On the technical side, the camerawork was sleek and masterful, and the kills during Carrie's rampage were eye-popping and cringe-worthy.

On the negative side, I was hoping for a bit more of a tone of terror throughout the movie. Leading up to Carrie's prom, the mood could've been more impending, but wasn't. Furthermore, for about 20 minutes after the opening scene, Carrie was sort of put in the back seat to make room for the story of her bullies. In a movie called Carrie, is it so much to ask for Carrie to play a bigger role in the start of the movie?

Finally, this brings me to Chloë Grace Moretz, a young woman who is one the most talented actresses of our time. Having said that, I think Moretz was too young for the role. Furthermore, Carrie White is an extremely difficult role to play, and requires much patience on the part of her portrayer. Moretz did her best, but in my opinion, wasn't the best person to play the part at this age. But let me make it clear that just because someone is cast in a role that isn't right for them doesn't mean they are a bad actor or actress.

I'm glad that this movie was made. Could there have been a better director, a more horrific tone, a more unsettling prom scene, and a more appropriate casting choice for the role of Carrie? Yup. Furthermore, the movie felt very safe, and failed to take any risks, which is necessary if you want to make a great Stephen King movie. But while overall an average movie, Carrie delivers fine acting and a fitting take of the story for a new generation.

Rating: 3/5