★ 6 / 10
This remake was always going to struggle to
CinemaSerf
This remake was always going to struggle to match the excellent 1962 version, and although it is not nearly as compelling, it is still an half decent attempt.…
This remake was always going to struggle to match the excellent 1962 version, and although it is not nearly as compelling, it is still an half decent attempt. Liev Schreiber is acclaimed Gulf War veteran and now Congressman "Raymond Shaw" who is very much in the running for Vice-President of the USA - egged on by his even more ambitious Senator mother (Meryl Streep). Meantime, his wartime captain "Marco" (Denzel Washington) is recovering from an injury sustained during an ambush - only he is struggling to reconcile his memories of that event with those being put forward by "Shaw" and, almost verbatim, by his fellow soldiers. Upon more detailed investigation, "Marco" stumbles upon the most unique of conspiracies that calls him to question not just his own sanity, but the nature of events both past and present. The more he digs, the more doors close before him and pretty soon both he and we know that there is some sort of conspiracy that goes right to the heart of American democracy. The story has been updated from the original and that helps it to stand on it's own a bit more. Washington is effective, as is Schreiber as the plot thickens and the prospects of a terrifying form of psychological warfare begin to loom large, presenting us with a story of manipulation and power-lust that is distinctly Machiavellian. Meryl Streep does OK, but sadly her's is the role that comes off worst by comparison with Angela Lansbury from first time round. The former is undoubtedly an accomplished actress, but somehow she doesn't quite exude the same degree of toxic charm. It also really does take it's time to get going, but once in it's stride it offers us quite an intriguing, if wordy, look at just how the American political establishment might work, and how it might, equally, be up for shrewd exploitation. It's a solid effort and worth a watch, but original is definitely much more sinister and best!
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★ 8 / 10
Denzel is great as always in this paranoid thriller
waterman1976
I didn't know this was a remake of an earlier movie so no comparison here, but for me this is a good movie. Denzel Washington scores high on my list of all…
I didn't know this was a remake of an earlier movie so no comparison here, but for me this is a good movie. Denzel Washington scores high on my list of all time greats and he doesn't dissapoint in this movie. His paranoia, focus and overall likeability keeps the viewer entertained from beginning till the end. The movie itself has a great premise and although it feels farfetch'd with the use of technology it carries an energy of paranoia, suspense and believability throughout. If they've kept it purely with the whole hypnosis thing it would have been more believable I guess. But the script is great, it has some good eery moments and the whole cast with Washington,Streep and Schreiber as the main leads is fantastic. I love this era of moviemaking, where actors were more true actors somehow. The camerawork with its full closeups is also great. I enjoyed this flick and in my opinion it desesrves more then the 6.6 here in iMBD.
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★ 7 / 10
A Big Remake
gavin6942
In the midst of the Gulf War, soldiers are kidnapped and brainwashed for sinister purposes.As with any remake, it is more or less impossible to live up to the…
In the midst of the Gulf War, soldiers are kidnapped and brainwashed for sinister purposes.As with any remake, it is more or less impossible to live up to the original. Even here, with plenty of major stars, a bigger budget and an Oscar-winning director, it would be wrong to say this is better than the original. Maybe as good, though that is doubtful. Certainly not better.Updating the plot from Korea to Iraq makes sense and is a wise move. I am not as thrilled about the science fiction aspects. My memory (though it may be faulty) recalls the original being mostly brainwashing and triggers. It does not recall any actual removal of brains and wildly futuristic surgery. This, to me, takes away from the film, and especially because it is revealed so early on (within ten minutes).
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This movie: blax good whites bad