Carrie vs. Carrie

AUTHOR: Derek Jorgensen, Staff Writer
The fall season is time for horror, and no one does horror better than Steven King. Just released was a modern adaptation of his 1974 novel “Carrie,” which was originally brought to the big screen in 1976 under the direction of Brian de Palma.
The modern version of this movie classic, directed by Kimberly Pierce, is not as creepily eerie as the old “Carrie,” but Pierce adds disturbing twists that would make any viewer’s heart skip a beat. What’s exciting about the new “Carrie” is that it focuses closer on the Stephen King rather than the original “Carrie” movie did.
In the 2013 version, Carrie is played by Chloe Grace Moretz, who is featured in other films such as “Kick-Ass 2.”
Right from the beginning, the movie changes from the original beginning. In the 1976 version, the viewer isn’t entirely aware of how psychotic Carrie’s mother Margaret is until later on in the films.
“Carrie” is one of those rare horror films in which the audience is rooting for the villain. Carrie White doesn’t actually come off as a villain but as a sympathetic character.
Portrayed as an outcast, Carrie is a teenage girl going through an awkward stage in high school. She suffered because of her extremely religious mother and because of the bullying she endured from the other girls in her gym class.
Both movies use the technique of a relatively slow build up, but once Carrie’s prom scene unfolds, the scary action scenes pick up.
Both movies also use the same characters with minor changes in appearance. For instance, Tommy Ross, her prom date, has brown hair instead of blonde. He is also aware of her telekinesis and seems intrigued by it.
One modern twist is that the new “Carrie” uses social media and cyber-bullying. While all the girls in the locker room throw tampons at Carrie, Chris Hargensen takes a video with her smart phone and then posts it on YouTube. The use of modern technology and other special effects make the scenes more interactive and interesting.
Surprisingly, the new “Carrie” isn’t doing as well as expected in the box office. According to Entertainment Weekly, the new horror film racked up $17 million its opening weekend and ranked No. 3. The new “Carrie” has grossed over $30 million, which is $3 million behind the original “Carrie.”