Went into the movie completely blind and without seeing the original. Enjoyable, but not a lot to it. I feel like it could have been better as a short film? Just take out the whole old man, and honestly all the girboss background. (Which makes me wonder how good long the book is.)
While I did not at all enjoy the dead cat scene, it *did* serve a purpose to the narrative and wasn't just "child kills innocent animal to show how fucked the world is". Also appreciated how Zac Effron gently pushed the Killing has Consequences in nurturing way, again rather than a toughen up the real world won't care about you feelings. Mixed on how I feel about the ending and how it goes against Zac's previous narrative.
The colors were nice and warm throughout the film. I really enjoyed that the government building the final showdown takes place in was older looking, almost brutalist brick rather than the all white sterile environment that most shady underground government buildings tend to be. The background music also fucked.
I'm sure the first nations antihero could have been done better given Mr. King's track record with that (astrological signs+hanged man back tattoo seems strange to me) BUT I am a sucker for those types of characters and would have much rather gotten more on him than the girlboss and ex-scientist.
Did enjoy the ending! But murder daughter being carried by sad older guy (not quite sad dad) was always gonna come for my nuts. If I remember correctly there was no music for the outro/credits either? Which was a nice solemn touch.
Still confused why this remake was made? Besides just the general remake vice grip that continues to sweep American movies. Wasn't horror, wasn't thriller, trying to bank on the superhero craze? If anything please let this give Mr. King the funds to remake the Shinning so I can enjoy that movie without feeling Bad
(Movie going experience: just Arlo and I in a theater during the day with one solitary man. Forgot he was there most of time but did see him raise his fist in a 'hell yeah!' way a couple times which was cute.)
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