Random Thoughts: The Manchurian Candidate

The Manchurian Candidate (1962) - 10/10
The Manchurian Candidate (2004) - 8/10


I don't even know where to begin on either of these. I could probably say a lot about either, but I'd rather keep it simple. You've probably already seen the original and know what a boldly nasty satire it is, with a nail-biting Hitchcockian climax. The new one takes almost the same outline of the original, throws in a few modern twists and some powerhouse actors in famous roles. Switching from communism themes to big business allows the remake to feel timely, not at all unnecessary. 2004's is a well crafted film that does what it does well. It, however, by making the Eleanor character a lead takes away from the development of the Raymond Shaw character. I loved, LOVED Laurence Harvey in the original. I'm a big Liev Schreiber fanatic, and it saddened me that Cotton Weary doesn't get enough of a juicy role like the kind Harvey had. He's second string to Denzel and Meryl (last names not required.) The Ben Marco character is made more disturbed in the new one, and much more of a loner. This makes sense as this type of behavior would lead to a straight jacked in today's society, instead of the "maybe he's right" attitude in the communist days. Jonathan Demme's film is proof that you CAN remake any film as long as you do it right and make it your own way without fucking up the other film. Nevertheless, it is nothing on the original.

For you movie buffs: Watch the scene in 1962's where Sinatra fights Harvey's butler. Then, watch Kill Bill: Vol. 1 where Uma Thurman fights Vivica A. Fox. Notice anything? :-) :-) :-)