Carrie

Very frustrating remake has all the right ingredients on paper – every cast member without exception would appear to be a fine choice (especially if making a more literal adaptation of the novel), and the production values are of a high standard – it just fumbles badly in finding a reason for being, doing a bland rehash of De Palma’s original with some awkward touches to try and make it feel “modern” (why did the pig’s blood scene also require a YouTube video to accompany it?) It’s slavish dedication makes comparison inevitable, and Moretz and Moore downplaying cannot compete with the manic intensity of Spacek and Laurie, who still own these roles lock stock and barrel (and no-one can clear an auditorium like Spacek!) Disappointing, as I genuinely wanted to find this as an underappreciated gem.