Carrie: Special Edition (UK)

I had to watch this movie 3 times before I could write this review and felt that even if I could express my feelings on a DVD webpage and hopefully sombody else would connect with what im trying to say then it would be worth it.

Thankfully this movie has finally gotten the dvd it deserves and even if your not a fan of the movie and if by a miracle you might be watching it for the 1st time, this movie portrays as much as a powerful message today as it did back in 1976 and here`s why.

The movie starts with a very nice opening scene (especially for men) which quickly turns sour and sets the tone of whats to come. Sissy Spacek (Carrie) does an outstanding job of playing an outcast in high school with newly discovered telekenetic powers that she tries to understand, and although she is accused as more of a nerd she never really comes accross that way on screen, just more like the girl who is doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. Her mother is a religious nut case and beats Carrie whenever she makes an attempt to live a normal sort of life. This however makes you really simpathise and connect with Carrie, and up until the last 20 mins, the movie doesnt show any signs of horror and instead builds up the relationship between the viewer and Carrie. You almost feel sorry for Carrie as various characters (1 a very young John Travolta) plot a revenge to humiliate Carrie at the high school prom. However due to make an amends for bullying Carrie, Sue (Amy Irving) convinces her boyfriend Tommy to ask Carrie to go to the prom to try and help her feel normal. Half way through the movie it had me thinking why this is a horror movie as it seems to give the impression of a feel good love story. When we get to the infamous prom scene our main chracter gets the satsifaction the viewes has been routing for when Carrie and Tommy are crowned King and Queen of the prom and it really makes you feel happy for her but the impending tradgedy lurking makes the atmosfear always seem sour, and when that tradgedy occurs the movie twists with shocking consequences. Carrie looses control of her "powers" and the way she kills every chracter wether good or bad without any thought seems unjustified it adds to the powerful message that De Palma is trying to get accross. However its not the cheap 70`s special effects of split screens and flying hoses that scare you but glare of Carries face which is truly terrifying no matter how many times I see it. Overall this movie never fails to impress me and gives a very powerful hit of horror at its best with an ending which will stay in your mind days after viewing.

This Special edition of the movie brought to us by MGM is very good with remastered picture and sound. Although most of the sound comes from the front 2 speakers the rears are used when Carries powers come into effect. The picture itself is v.good and has a grain to it thats gonna be impossible to remove, they have done a good job clearing up dirt.

The extra featres also are very satisfying with various documentaries about the making of the movie with upto date inteviews with the main cast and crewe. We also get the usual photo gallery and theatrical trailers are also there.

Bottom line the real winner here is the movie and im really glad that MGM have decided to release a decent edition that not only is the definitive version but also has impressive picture and sound for a film of its age that only DVD can provide. This is a MUST buy for anybodys collection and im sure those of you who have seen it wont even think twice.

The largest improvement over the previous 1999 DVD is the sound which is in DD 5.1, The Transfer is pleasing, considering the 99 disc wasn`t anamorphic, the improvement goes to show the importance of Anamorphic transfers...