Carrie Blu-ray Review

Actors: Chloë Grace Moretz, Judy Greer, Portia Doubleday, Alex Russell, Gabriella Wilde

Director: Kimberly Peirce

Writers: Lawrence D. Cohen, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

Producer: Kevin Misher

Language: English (DTS 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Dubbed: English, French, Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Rated: R (Restricted)

Studio: MGM

Release Date: January 14, 2014

Run Time: 100 minutes

        Stephen King’s novel about the outcast teen with telekinetic powers has been adapted previously; once in the 1976 theatrical release by Brian De Palma, and again as a TV movie a little over a decade ago. This was the first of King’s novels to be adapted into a film and was such a phenomenal success the first time around that it comes as no surprise that there have been skeptics of a new version. If anyone is equipped to handle this content in a new way, however, it is director Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don’t Cry, Stop-Loss). For my exclusive interview with Peirce, click here.

 

        In some respects, this material needs a feminine perspective to guide the story, refraining from the type of exploitation which would ultimately damage the film’s message. There are actual teenagers cast in the roles of high school students, rather than the unnecessarily nubile twenty-year-olds from De Palma’s version. Rather than simply offering up the prerequisite skin and gore for a horror film, Peirce’s Carrie is an introspective look at the damaging effects of bullying built into a brutal revenge film.

 

         Chloë Grace Moretz steps into the role of the shy and religious Carrie White, a sharp shift after playing bolder roles such her contribution to the Kick-Ass franchise. As well as offering us an actress playing the age she actually is, this version of Carrie also offers her more support and strength. The telekinetic powers are enough for Carrie to fight back against her aggressively religious mother (Julianne Moore), and even in her rage she has the sense to recognize and protect those who were friendly to her.

 

        The Blu-ray combo pack comes with a DVD and a digital copy of the film. Exclusive to the Blu-ray is an alternate ending which tacks on a dream sequence which misses logic required to take it seriously. There are many other deleted and alternate scenes as well, and three featurettes about everything from the production to telekinesis. There is also a commentary track with Peirce, which is easily the best of the extras.

 

       

Entertainment Value: 7/10

Quality of Filmmaking: 7/10

Historical Significance: 6/10

Disc Features: 7/10