Review of The Manchurian Candidate (2004) by Thomas P — 08 Jan 2015
No suspense.
Clumsy and obvious direction ruined it. The acting is inspired, but is completely dragged down by the weak, pedestrian direction of Demme, and his clunky cinematography.
And it has a synthetic feel to it - you don't care about anyone or anything here. Instead of the disturbing shock value it needed to succeed, you get uninspired tv movie.
If you want recent suspense with Denzel, see Flight - its jaw dropping for the first 30 mins before it gets caught up in the details.
I don't see why this movie was made - except to cash in on the name of the superior 60's movie.
If the original was a perfect 10/10 - which it is - then this is a 4/10.
And it's only bc this great group of actors get the only credit for their strong efforts- despite this lame-duck, pale attempt to "update" the Great, orig story.
2 yawns out of 5.
This review of The Manchurian Candidate (2004) was written by Thomas P on 08 Jan 2015.
The Manchurian Candidate has generally received positive reviews.
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