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!!
Rating: Summary: Great and heart-warming! Review: Marla Wilson acted brilliantly as a young girl raised single-handedly in a conventional household. Her childish talk was delicious and Richard Attenborough was superb! Its plot is pretty nice and it has just the right homey flavour for Christmas!
Rating: Summary: Zesty And Fun - A Modern Version Of The Classic! Review: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1994) is an updated version of a classic film that has a lot of heart but not quite the charm of the original. Definitely a good Holiday film for the whole family, it has a certain message for kids to keep the Christmas Spirit and ideology alive.Directed by Les Mayfield (Encino Man, Flubber) it tells the tale of Santa Clause being set up for failure. Does and or should the world believe in him. Thanks to the efforts of a small non-believing girl...the magic of the season prevails! Starring Sir Richard Attenburough (Jurassic Park, Hamlet) as Father Christmas himself, he is left with wits and efforts of lawyer Dylon Mcdermott (The Practice, Twister, Steel Magnolias) to save his life and gain him his freedom before Christmas. The skeptic, Elizabeth Perkins (Cats & Dogs, The Flintsones) who plays the department store promotions manager who hires and then has to fire Santa himself becomes a tough cookie for her daughter, played by Mara Wilson (Mrs. Doubtfire, Matilda), to convince he IS real. This also has a great final performance of the late J.T. Walsh (Pleasantville, A Few Good Men) and as the judge who must decide the fate of Santa, Robert Prosky (Mrs. Doubtfire, The Chamber) gives a phenomenal performance for his small role. A great Holiday film for the whole family to watch. Give it a chance - it may bring some Christmas Spirit into your day! (1-2-03)
Rating: Summary: Good message, but did they have to go and make it a PG flick Review: Now, first off, I haven't seen the original, so I may like that more, I don't know. I'm planning on watching the original now that I've seen this one, because the overall message of the movie I just loved. What a wonderful message to child and adult alike. But why do they feel the need to add tasteless humor and foul language to ruin such a wonderful movie. Did the drunk santa's pants HAVE to fall down and expose his rear?? Did he HAVE to use the term Numb N--s? Did Dylan MacDermots character have to say, "I just bought some mistletoe, why don't we go to my place and try it out" And those are just the few that come to mind. I know there were a couple of other phrases and comments that my husband and I thought were just not needed. I mean, they certainly don't add to the plot. Come on now!!!!Why do they insist on ruining such a family oriented movie like that!??! Either find an edited copy for children, or check out the original. (I haven't seen it, but I'm sure they don't say numb n--s)
Rating: Summary: Old Copier Review: Santa goes on trial in this update of the perrenial Christmas classic. Though moderenized in setting, this seasonal story remains true to the original.
Rating: Summary: So Bad So Bad Review: Sometimes I like remakes but this one was so bad. I am 16 years old and was brought up on the orignal black and white version. And that was a great family classic. But this movie was so bad. Why, Why remake a classic !!
Rating: Summary: Not as good as the original, but still enjoyable Review: The original "Miracle on 34th Street" has always been one of my favorite Christmas movies. Every year, it is on my "must see" holiday re-viewing list. This latest incarnation of that classic story is not in the same league as the first one, but it is still an enjoyable film and a fine addition to any Christmas program. The story, of course, is about Santa Claus. Kris Kringle (Richard Attenborough) is hired by nonbeliever Dorey (Elizabeth Perkins) to play Santa at the world famous Cole's department store. (Macy's did not want to be in the remake.) Kris is an immediate hit, beloved by all for his policy of sending shoppers to other stores to find bargains. Dorey's young daughter Susan (Mara Wilson of "Mrs. Doubtfire") does not believe in Santa either. Kringle decides that if he can convince the two of them that he is the genuine article, then there is still hope for him. Otherwise, he may as well hang up his suit for good. Although Dorey is firmly convinced, Susan is willing to give him a chance-especially if he'll give her what she really wants for Christmas: a Dad, a new house and a baby brother. Susan has even got Mr. Right picked out: Dorey's almost-boyfriend Bryan (Dylan McDermott). He's the ultimate nice guy and already loves Susan and her mom. The hard part is getting Dorey to go along with their plans. She keeps resisting, even though the story doesn't really justify it. He's so obviously perfect for her that we know they're going to get together and just wish she'd stop acting so stubborn. The story is basically the same as in the 1947 classic. Writer-producer John Hughes has made a few changes to make the film more contemporary, but nothing too severe. A movie like this trades heavily on nostalgia, so he cannot risk changing too much. One notable alteration comes at the climax of the courtroom scene where Bryan is trying to prove that Kris really is Santa Claus. Unfortunately, the plot device used here doesn't work nearly as well as the original one did. I found the mail delivery scene in the first film much more convincing than what Hughes came up with. The acting in "Miracle" is all satisfactory. Perkins and McDermott do not seem to have much chemistry between them, but otherwise they are okay. Mara Wilson is cute as Susan, if you don't mind her lisping delivery. Attenborough, though, is superb as jolly old Saint Nick. His is the only performance that matches up to the standard set in the original. Attenborough is a noted director-he did "Gandhi"-and does not act much anymore so it was really a pleasure to see him here. If, ultimately, this remake is not as good as the first "Miracle"-and remakes almost never are-it is still fun to watch. No classic this one, but a pleasant two hours' viewing nonetheless. I look forward to seeing it again next year.
Rating: Summary: Not a sequel, but better than the first. Review: The Santa Claus is the only thing not as funny or good as the 1947 original version. And if you liked that, you'll love this! The cast members are so much better and the subject is entirely the same and basically, the fun is the same, too. Of course, everything's not perfect, but everything happens the same way, just like a second version shoud be like. This is not a sequel, and it doesn't need to be one either because it's outstanding!
Rating: Summary: Ignore the Negative Reviews Review: This film is destined to be a classic & I find the movie more remarkable than the original. So please Ignore the Negative Reviews & checkout this 1994 version of Miracle On The 34TH Street. This movie has be a household favorite in our home.
Rating: Summary: A Great Movie, A Great Remake Review: This is a great holiday movie. It is as good as the original
|