DIRECTORS NAME
st. Amy Irving, Emily Bergl

I find myself reviewing yet another Hollywood, teen flick, and they just keep getting worse. I went to see this film directly after watching High Risk Championship Wrestling, so I was possibly too psyched up from the sweat and blood and manliness for sitting in a cinema watching such a lacklustre movie, or maybe I was so excited that the film seemed better than it was. You decide…

In 1976, Carrie (starring Sissy Spacek, directed by Brian de Palma, adapted from Stephen King) was a repressed teenager with psychic abilities who was tormented at high school. At the school prom she retaliated and killed almost the entire senior class in a blood soaked, fiery frenzy.

In 1999, Sue Snell (Amy Irving), survivor of the first film is counselling a new, troubled teenager, Rachel Lang (Emily Bergl). We can tell she is troubled because her room is decorated with Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails posters and she has a tattoo. What we are to find out during the course of the film is that Rachel is Carrie White's half sister and that she also possesses psychic powers.

The film itself is typical high school melodrama, with jocks, cheerleaders, outcasts, ridicule, the occasional laugh, the obligatory sex scene, the obligatory football match, and nothing new or interesting. The only enjoyable aspect of the film is the party where Rachel's power is unleashed in a new blood soaked, fiery frenzy. There are some ingenious and graphic deaths in the climax which brought cheers of approval from the crowd, unlike the previous ninety minutes which elicited very little audience response. Of course it has the standard 'twist' ending that seemed to annoy everyone. The film is also peppered with flashbacks to the original film just to ensure we know it is a sequel.

I asked one person as we were leaving what they would rate the film. The answer, 'Negative.' Another comment I overheard, 'I'm glad we didn't have to pay for it'. The more direct, 'That was fucked'. And my favourite, 'Totally unbelievable. Worst film I have seen in a long time.' Strangely, I had no trouble watching the film despite the cliched script. Although it is a 'horror' film, you will not be scared. My advice for viewing this film is, expect little and you won't be disappointed. At the preview screening they gave away temporary tattoos that matched Rachel's tattoo. I wonder if anyone will be game to wear them after seeing the film?

sebastian niemand
comments? email the author