Review of Miracle on 34th Street (1994) by Kendall I — 01 Oct 2012

Some may disagree with me, but I like this version a little better than the original.

PLOT:Dorey Walker (Elizabeth Perkins) is a bitter businesswoman that is the manager of the Cole's in New York City on 34th Street. When the Cole's parade rolls around, the Santa she chose is drunk of his feet, so she chooses the only other option; a jolly old man who calls himself Kringle (Richard Attenborough). They find out that this man is so good, they have him sign a contract to be the store Santa. But is that all he is? He not only turns the store upside down, but he promises to do so much for everybody and claims he's the real deal. He even tries to make believers out of Dorey and her daughter, Susan (Mara Wilson) with the help of Dorey's crusher, Bryan (Dylan McDermot), but when the rivals of Cole's decide this has gone too farm they set Kriss up and have him arrested. Now the question persists: do you believe in Santa and will you help him? It is a very unique twist on the Santa tale even if it is remade.

ACTING:The acting is pretty top notch. Attenborough does a delightful job as Kriss. Perkins does a decent job, but she put a little too much bitterness in the character. At least, I think so. Wilson, though a child, does a charming job. McDermot wasn't spectacular, but he did a pretty great job anyway.

SCORE:Most of it was Christmas music, but what wasn't was great.

CAMERAWORK:Surprisingly, the camerawork was pretty nice.

OTHER CONTENT:Now, what most of you are probably wondering is why I like this remake better than the original. I believe this version is not only modernized, but contians more charm and Christmas spirit. It could put any Christmas movie Scrooge in a yuletide mood. I didn't give this the full because I did notice what his one was missing, and that's its nostalgia and originality. I'm not that disagreeable.

OVERALL,a great Christmas movie with a unique but remade plot, top notch acting, great score aside from the Christmas music, nice camerawork, and more charm and spirit than its original, though this doesn't contain the nostalgia and originality.