Review of Carrie (2013) by James W — 21 Apr 2014

The film opens with a woman screaming bloody murder, as the camera pans up the stairs a woman's broken water trickles down the stairs, then you see Margaret White covered in blood praying for forgiveness as she gives birth to a baby, in which she attempts to murder with a pair of scissors.

With an opening like that you know you are in for a bloody ride and a heavy one at that. You just can't please anyone with remakes, except me. Carrie is one of the finest horror remakes, and also a big job for Director Kimberley Pierce to revamp the iconic classic, but she's done fantastically making you feel for Carrie, and Pierce stages elements of horror and power superbly never indulging in cliches or CGI overload.

Chloe Grace Moretz is tremendous as the lonely and isolated Carrie who discovers she has telekinetic powers, but with the overbearing nature of her bible bashing mother and high school bullies she is by definition pushed to the absolute limit, and unleashes her powers.

The prom scene ignites onto the screen in a mass of blazing carnage and glory, every camera shot looks incredible, and Moretz snarls and quivers as she destroys anything in her wake, you see the gory damage and detail and bones breaking.

I was jaw dropped and amazed at the visuals and gore, payback here is a beautiful thing and it's delivered without mercy, you feel good for Carrie as she gets her own back. Julianne Moore is terrifically terrifying as Carrie's mother, she is a natural, it's a brilliant portrayal of madness.

Gabriella Wilde nails it as Sue Snell who regrets her actions, as does Ansel Engort, these two play the sweeter characters well. Judy Greer dishes out some great one liners and I loved her sassy gym teacher performance.

Portia Doubleday is awesome as the incredibly mean bully Chris Hargensen, she alone pushes Carrie over the edge, Doubleday grits her teeth and scowls with intensity! This outstanding cast up their game even more when the prom sequence explodes, this film roars to life and at times gets unbearable to watch, especially the knife slashing ending, that's the sign of impact and effectiveness.

I highly recommend this, a true horror remake that stays honourable to the original yet adds a modern feel to it alongside Pierce's intensely head spinning direction.