Brian De Palma’s 1976 book-to-film adaptation of Stephen King’s Carrie is considered to be one of the great films in the horror genre. Sissy Spacek’s portrayal of the title character has been studied and appreciated ever since its release, her traumatic entrance into womanhood that opened the movie kicking off a series of events that culminates in an explosion of telekinetic abilities. The 2013 remake? We gave it a mediocre review, citing the overuse of CGI as a very large stumbling block, one that undid a lot of the good that the film offered.
The below video compares the two films and sees what works and what fails, making for an interesting case on how both have their serious merits while each has its flaws. It doesn’t argue for one being better than the other, although it does posit that the remake – which came at a time when it was ripe for such an undertaking – doesn’t set itself apart enough to warrant its existence.
What about you? What are your thoughts on the matter? Is the 2013 version a solid entry into the category of “horror remakes that are good”? Or was it a disappointment, one that didn’t need to be made at all?