Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
It's an outRage!, March 15, 2000
I think the only reason this movie was made was to cash in on the new wave of teen horror, and make a few quick bucks. This movie was such a copy off the original; there were no new twists and the secondary characters were so one-sided and poorly developed. Even Rachel, the lead, wasn't believable as the class outcast. She's not even remotely ugly, she's actually quite attractive when she smiles occassionaly. Take my advice, stick to the original.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
An insult to Mr. Kings' material and the Depalma original, February 11, 2000
It is always difficult for sequels of movies of the kind of calibur as the original Carrie {1976} to measure up. Good seqels can be made {example: Godfather: Part II} The key, many including myself would say, is in the handling of the material. Is their a reverence toward the original source material or is it being jettisoned to make way for a new statement? Does the new vision or statement say anything new? Carrie 2 does not make any attempt to say anything new. The treatment of Kings' original character Sue Snell {Amy Irving} is thoughtless as is much of the plot of this movie. I would have liked to have seen Sue's life fleshed out more. She was the only survivor after all. But instead we see breif sequences of her with Rachel {Bergl} remembering scenes from the first movie that she was not witness to as you'll recall she was locked out of the gym seconds before Carries' destructive tantrum. It makes sense that she would be a guidance counselor but what of her stay in the mental institutions? Lovelife? None of these areas are explored. In the end, Katt Shea, the director, to make over-the-top killing sequences propel the violence of the climax has Sue being impaled accidentily before she can even save Rachel. This is gratuitous and negates any point to having the Sue Snell character in the story in the first place. Miss Shea proves herself to be an inept director who is so laid back in the DVD commentary that it makes one wonder if she cares about anything. The soundtrack to this movie is also quite weak. In the original we have Pino Dinnagios' brilliant emotional and terrifying piece. In Carrie 2 it sounds like a Halloween rip-off with throw away grundge songs thrown in for good measure. One of the keys to Dinnagios score was its' timelessness using strings cello and other orchestration. All in all, very dissappointing. And Miss Shea please leave Kings' work to the masters {Depalma, Riener, Hackford}.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Joys and HORROR of the High School Experience, May 30, 2007
I wasn't expecting much from Katt Shea's 1999 "Carrie" sequel "The Rage: Carrie 2." Most sequels are but a pale caricature of the original. Take for instance "Friday the 13th Part III" or "V;" both films are worth catching for various reasons, but their goofy elements make them essentially throw-away flicks. This is not the case with "The Rage." "The Rage" is a serious high school drama that includes the sub-theme of telekinesis and ends in utter, tragic horror.
Although this is a sequel, the basic plot is the same as Stephen King's original; hence, "The Rage" could be better viewed as a late-90s REMAKE. In fact, it's not even necessary to see the original to view it.
THE PLOT: A social outcast in high school slowly becomes aware that she has telekinetic abilities. These abilities are ultimately unleashed with lethal fury when the popular kids pull a meanspirited prank on her.
WHAT WORKS: First of all, I'm glad "The Rage" doesn't have the creepy Pharisaical mother like in the original. This is one aspect that I couldn't stand about "Carrie." It (sort of) gave the impression that anyone who takes the teachings of Christianity seriously will become a warped, hideous, deathly, abusive killjoy like Carrie's mother. Actually, although there are indeed modern-day Pharisees in Christendom, nothing could be further from the truth. Authentic Christianity gives true liberty, life and joy (see, for example, John 8:31-32, John 10:10 and 1 Peter 1:8). Don't take me wrong here, I'm not preachin' too you.
Emily Bergl well plays Carrie's half-sister Rachael. She's an outcast like Carrie but she's stronger, more confident and doesn't have a dream to fit in with the popular kids. One of the film's themes is: Does love really exist? Rachael says she doesn't believe in love. Her mother's in a mental institution. She's a foster child and her foster parents clearly only have her for the extra money, not because they love her.
Any teenager or adult can readily relate to the situations, experiences or issues addressed in the film:
The common cliques: the "popular" crowd, oversexed jocks, snooty cheerleaders, rich kids and their parents, nerds, outcasts, etc.
Pre-mature sexual experience and the resulting emotional turmoil.
Suicide.
First love, true love.
Being attracted to or dating someone outside your social stratum.
Football, players, fandom and hardcore coaching antics.
Friendship, rivalry, fights.
Partying.
"The Rage" successfully brings to life all these joys and horrors of the high school experience.
One interesting aspect of the film is the character of Jesse, outstandingly played by Jason London. The story plainly shows that Jesse truly loves Rachael. What is it about Rachael that attracts him? It's certainly not that she's profoundly beautiful like his ex-girlfriend (well, sort of), although she's definitely not ugly either. Perhaps Jesse sees the superficiality and conformity of the spoiled "popular kids" clique and is naturally attracted to someone more humble, loving and genuine, like Rachael. Also observe that Jesse isn't a conformist, even though he's technically part of the popular kids clique: Because of his love for a social outcast he fearlessly stands up to the most popular (completely arrogant) jock; everyone on the team gets his head shaved except Jesse, etc.
It's interesting to note that, although Rachael is portrayed as a misfit that likes Marilyn Manson (see the poster on her bedroom wall), she's definitely not a rebellious, disrespectful teenager. Note that she never "answers back" her loveless foster 'father.' Note that she works, isn't promiscuous and isn't a party monger.
During the closing credits you'll hear the song "Crazy Little Voices" by the Egyptian band Ra. The DVD is worth owning just for this outstanding song (the song is not available on their proper albums). Ra play a unique, eccentric style of metal, sort of along the lines of System of a Down.
WHAT DOESN'T WORK: I personally feel Jesse and Rachael make love too prematurely (I think on their third date). However, this can be overlooked on the grounds that it (their sexual union) is very necessary to the end-plot and that real-time has to be condensed into an hour and 45 minute film.
"The Rage" doesn't include the horrific pig's blood of the original (how could one possibly ever forget that horrifying image of Carrie?), nor does it include the death-of-a-dream angle. But I'm glad it doesn't. This is properly ANOTHER take on the same basic story. There should be differences and nuances.
FINAL ANALYSIS: As usual there are people that hate "The Rage" simply because it's a sequel/remake. I encourage you to be openminded and allow yourself to enjoy a different take on the same basic plot. (Some people see WAY, WAY too many films to the point that it almost seems like they're unable to simply enjoy a good film). Both films have their strengths. In some ways "The Rage" is BETTER than "Carrie" (in truth, I was never the biggest fan of the original).
"The Rage" was a pleasant surprise for me. It's definitely not a weak or campy sequal/remake, it's a strong late-90s update. It powerfully showcases the joys and HORRORS of the high school years. Depending on your tastes it's a 4 or 5 Star film. I officially rate it 4.5 Stars. And even if you don't like it for whatever reason(s) it would be ridiculous to rate it less than 3 Stars. It's simply too well made of a picture -- cast, acting, locations (Dallas, North Carolina), story, etc. Enjoy.
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