Rating: Summary: I liked it, but... Review: I didn't like it as much as I like the movie with Natalie Wood and Maureen O'Hara.Mara Wilson is a good actress and my not liking this movie as much as the older movie is by no fault on her part, the movie just is missing the magic of the old movie though I do have to agree with the previous reviewer that it is probably a good movie for children even if not as good as the older movie.
Rating: Summary: Every bit as good as the original in my opinion Review: I love that this remake didn't sell out very much, and put in too much modern stuff. It is very successful in keeping a "traditional" feel, with only a few exceptions. Mara Wilson is absolutely delightful and classic in her performance, and I really like Elizabeth Perkins' reproduction of the original role. And Dylan McDermott, whom I typically find very flat and dull, is sweet and charming as the sincere bachelor attorney with an eye for Perkins. Richard Attenborough is amazing as Santa, at least as good as the formidable original. The scene in the original featuring Santa visiting with the Dutch war refugee girl is replaced in this remake with Santa visiting with a little deaf girl. The scene in the original is about as sweet as any scene in any movie ever, and the remake is even sweeter! The deaf girl's face, when Santa talks to her in sign language, is absolutely worth the price of this DVD. The only real weakness for me was the John DeLancie and Jane Leeves part of the movie, as two "evil" agents for the "enemy" department store (where all the upper management wears all black). They reminded me of Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern from "Home Alone" -- sort of bumbling bad guys in a bad cartoon sort of way. So all in all, I really think that this version is as good or better than the original, which is simply too dated in a few respects for me to be able to enjoy unconditionally. I think both of them are definitely worth owning.
Rating: Summary: Every bit as good as the original in my opinion Review: I love that this remake didn't sell out very much, and put in too much modern stuff. It is very successful in keeping a "traditional" feel, with only a few exceptions. Mara Wilson is absolutely delightful and classic in her performance, and I really like Elizabeth Perkins' reproduction of the original role. And Dylan McDermott, whom I typically find very flat and dull, is sweet and charming as the sincere bachelor attorney with an eye for Perkins. Richard Attenborough is amazing as Santa, at least as good as the formidable original. The scene in the original featuring Santa visiting with the Dutch war refugee girl is replaced in this remake with Santa visiting with a little deaf girl. The scene in the original is about as sweet as any scene in any movie ever, and the remake is even sweeter! The deaf girl's face, when Santa talks to her in sign language, is absolutely worth the price of this DVD. The only real weakness for me was the John DeLancie and Jane Leeves part of the movie, as two "evil" agents for the "enemy" department store (where all the upper management wears all black). They reminded me of Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern from "Home Alone" -- sort of bumbling bad guys in a bad cartoon sort of way. So all in all, I really think that this version is as good or better than the original, which is simply too dated in a few respects for me to be able to enjoy unconditionally. I think both of them are definitely worth owning.
Rating: Summary: Not at all as good as the original Review: I saw the original when I was a little kid and I found it to be a magical and enjoyable venture. I watched this a month later, and even at my age then I thought it was horrible. And watching it again later in my young adult life, I realize just how right I was. The remake takes every thing magical about the original and destroys it like a crazed bulldozer. Santa doesn't speak Dutch but instead sign language - which isn't fantasic or wonderful, as there are fewer people in America who speak fluent Dutch than sign language. The court scene doesn't help Santa's case and it will make the audience NOT believe in Santa Claus. Example: Admiral: "I ventured through the North Pole several times and didn't see any workshops or buildings." Santa: "Of course you can't see them...they're INVISIBLE!" Yeah...right. Any way, there are other corny lines, like the little girl's mother talking about how she has a firm, unshaky disbelief in Santa just because she didn't get what she wanted for Christmas. Huh? They also switch Macy as the enemy instead of the original where neither major store in New York was the enemy...in fact Santa brought them together as friends in a scene reminescant of Carter's Camp David Accord. Finally, they left out the young janitor boy who Santa befriends in the original - this was the biggest shocker to me, as I thought he was one of the most outstanding characters in the story and added depth to Santa's character (read my review of the original to see what I mean). So if you really want to believe in Santa and have a magical time, see the original. If you want to make your child's head explode, watch the remake.
Rating: Summary: Better than the original Review: I'm skeptical on remakes, but I've been watching this one for years and feel it's better than the original.
Rating: Summary: Not the Original Review: If you are looking for a colorized version of the original 1947 classic -- THIS IS NOT IT! This is a "new" remake of the original.
Rating: Summary: Good, But The First Movie Was Better Review: It was a decent remake but the first movie with Natalie Wood was better! I like Mara Wilson and her performance was good it's just that the remake was kind of bland compared to the first movie.
Rating: Summary: Good but not as Good as the Original Review: It was good and it was cute but it wasn't nearly as good as the Black and White Classic from 1947, now that one was a true classic, a masterpiece! This remake was cute but I found parts of the movie a little dull. I do like Mara Wilson though and think she a good job but I just didn't totally enjoy this movie but it does deserve more than 1 star and I give it 3.
Rating: Summary: Enjoyable. Review: It was good, but not as good as the classic original.
Rating: Summary: A fine remake Review: Let me say two things. 1. I love old movies. 2. I mistrust remakes. However, I loved this remake. It has become a regular part of our Christmas for the past 10 years. My wife loves it and I do as well. Get it now!!
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