James-Remar Movie Reviews

This movie was slammed by critics. The most common review of this said that there was 'just too many jokes' in it. I watched it with a critical eye, and thought it was a really fun movie.

I didn't laugh out loud with tears running down my face, but did spend the entire run time giggling at the antics of all the characters. The cast consists of several Serious Actors (Kate Nelligan, Armand Assante) who play their parts as though they were in a drama. To me, those are excellent comedic acting skills. It's when actors play for laughs that they are not funny.

You might not be tickled by this one if you aren't familiar with the 'film noir' and detective film genre. If you are a fan of those, you will laugh as you recognize all the devices in those films over-used to good effect in this one.

I had a good time watching it...give it a try!

I first caught this movie on cable a few years ago and laughed so much my side started hurting! After that, I would watch it whenever I caught it on, sometimes missing half the movie but enjoying it just the same. If you like "Body Heat" "Fatal Attraction" and other movies of that ilk (which I do) you don't want to miss this spoof. It's all of those movies, rolled into one; the actors play it straight, which is more funny than if they had winked at the camera in each scene. The drama keeps rising with every scene, until it gets so ridiculous TWO people have to die in the end, simultaneously, and by the same hand.

First of all, in order to truly appreciate this movie, you've got to see "Fatal Attraction", "Body Heat", "Chinatown", and "Basic Instinct", which all came out within a few years of each other. They are great films which have a modern take of the "noir" period of filmmaking from the 1940's. (For Reiner's other great parody of that period, see "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid"). Here, Reiner has taken all of the cliched moments and turned them into great parodies of those films.

Assante as Ned Revine is hysterical with his incredible dead pan (I only wish Reiner had put out takes on the DVD). Reiner puts in non-stop jokes from start to finish. (I like the ceiling fan in the car, for example). Some of you may have to go back and forth to catch them all. To me this film is right up there with Mel Brooks, "Airplane", "Police Squad", and "Pink Panther" series for great modern (late 20th Century) comedy. Reiner who was a writer, director, actor and producer of television comedy for years (Your Show of Shows, Dick Van Dyke, etc), had highly developed comedic skills prior to his stint as movie director. Consequently, he brings a great sense of comic timing to this and all of his pictures. This is my personal favorite of his work.

Good science fiction, with a novel twist (prisoners are kept together by explosive neck-braces that will explode if they are seperated more than 100 yards) is nearly done in by mediocre production values and a plot that nearly deteriorates near the end. The love story is pretty pale too, though Hauer and Rogers make it worth seeing.

The concept is totally progressive and intriguing while you get totally drawn into this wildly insane and intense "game of life" For anyone who wants some excitement for a couple of hours! But beware, it will stick in your brain - - this could very well be the future........

A science fiction movie that is different. A very good cast (Rutger Hauer, Joan Chen, Mimi Rogers, James Remar). A few twists that add to the suspense. Very well done.

Remember "Thelma and Louise"? Well, here are Kathy (CHRISTINA APPLEGATE!) and Carmen (ELIZABETH PENA!), a couple of YOUNG WOMEN who end up living together in a TRAILER to be near their boyfriends who are in prison! With no money, Kathy and Carmen consider becoming PROSTITUTES, but then they get a couple of legitimate jobs! Getting tired of the ways things are going, the two gals take to the road and seek a NEW LIFE of ADVENTURE and ROMANCE! Not good enough for you? How about if we throw in BURGESS MEREDITH as an old prospector and MICHAEL McKEAN as a guy who keeps a trained lion and tiger out in the desert! Still not good enough for you? Well, this film has JACK NANCE! That's right! "Eraserhead" himself! Directed by LISA GOTTLIEB!

Remember "Thelma and Louise"? Well, here are Kathy (CHRISTINA APPLEGATE!) and Carmen (ELIZABETH PENA!), a couple of YOUNG WOMEN who end up living together in a TRAILER to be near their boyfriends who are in prison! With no money, Kathy and Carmen consider becoming PROSTITUTES, but then they get a couple of legitimate jobs! Getting tired of the ways things are going, the two gals take to the road and seek a NEW LIFE of ADVENTURE and ROMANCE! Not good enough for you? How about if we throw in BURGESS MEREDITH as an old prospector and MICHAEL McKEAN as a guy who keeps a trained lion and tiger out in the desert! Still not good enough for you? Well, this film has JACK NANCE! That's right! "Eraserhead" himself! Directed by LISA GOTTLIEB!

"2 Fast 2 Furious" is a sloppy sequel of an original that was no masterpiece in its own right. The cars are arguably just as whatever-you-want-to-call-them, but the chases aren't, and the plot suffers from a severe case of reduced star wattage: Vin Diesel lended his dome for the first movie, then skipped town in favor of the "xXx" series. Actor/singer Tyrese and his dome fills in, but the inherent "Vinness" of the maiden road race has left the building.

Paul Walker's back, though, as Brian O'Connor, the most unconvincing cop to ever breathe air, only now he's been disavowed from the force for letting Vin's character escape and select another movie franchise. No badge in hand, Brian roams Miami, street race hustlin, catching the eye of a federal agent (Eva Mendes) who puts him undercover to land a major drug kingpin (Cole Hauser, channeling "Miami Vice"). Tyrese plays Roman, Brian's former buddy with an unclear grudge. Roman and Brian pose and paw and return smoldering glares at one another to such an extent it's possible to read the film with homoerotic subtext.

What an uninspired, pedestrian movie. "2 Fast 2 Furious" features Ludacris as a chop shop owner who does not seem to work - he emcees a jet ski race, though - and talentless model Devon Aoki as a street racing tart. Mendes is the flavor of the month but there's something curiously asexual and detached about her.

At least Singleton has enough integrity left spare the audience needless gratuity.

Fueled by low expectations, 2 Fast 2 Furious (what an awful title) far surpassed its predecessor, exceeding as the movie I expected the original to be. 2F2F has much more action, more outrageous stunts, a plot that I find better suited to this material, and an even sexier cast of scantily-dressed women. For a little over an hour-and-a-half, I was in big-budget, B-movie heaven.

Brian O'Connor (Paul Walker) is no longer with the LAPD, stripped of his badge after the events of the first film. Now in Miami, he makes his earnings through illegal street racing, something that proves to be an easy task for him. But after one particular (and superbly exhilarating) race where he comes out the big winner, he's caught by federal agents and forced to work undercover to nab a powerful drug lord named Carter Verone (Cole Hauser).

They've already got an agent undercover, Monica Fuentes (Eva Mendes), but have yet to pin Verone on anything serious. To infiltrate Verone's empire, O'Connor teams up with old friend and ex-con Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson); together, they make for a wild and dangerous driving duo, performing transportation tasks for Verone, including one final assignment that could prove particularly dangerous for O'Connor and Pearce.

2F2F, as with most big-budget blockbuster sequels, ups the ante on its predecessor; it's bigger, louder, much faster, and in this case, a whole lot more fun. The race/chase sequences are far more elaborate (unlike the original, when these guys race they actually turn curves and drive pretty long distances, rather than a mere mile-long straight line as in the original) and they're in greater abundance here, a smart move since we're clearly here to watch hardcore automotive stunts, not plot.

The story is every bit as dumb as you'd expect from such a lame title, but at least it gives the characters goals and genuine obstacles to overcome (unlike the original, which basically had its "heroes" trying to steal dvd players from trucks in broad daylight). The twists and turns are all easily forseeable (what are the chances Verone won't find out these guys are working undercover?), but the story rarely gets in the way of the action.

2F2F boasts three major action setpieces, each of them successively more impressive than the setpiece it follows. The opening race is a doozy and by itself, more exciting than the whole of the first movie. Another race early in the movie puts our heroes (and multiple "tryouts") in a test to retrive a package in an auto pound 20 miles away, with Walker even driving backwards on the highway at one point. It's the climax that clinched the movie for me, a twenty-minute sequence with cop cars and choppers chasing O'Connor and Pearce, the whole thing concluding with an outrageous but exhilarating stunt between a car and a boat.

Even as a B-movie, 2F2F isn't perfect. At a restrictive PG-13, the opportunity for profanity, edgy violence, and nudity is gone. The latter, in particular, is rather irksome. The leading ladies, Eva Mendes and Devon Aoki, are almost as good a reason as all the car stunts to watch the movie. Aoki probably boasts the best-looking body I've seen all year long (a lot of people have criticized her face, but I find it quite uniquely pretty), nice eye candy enhanced by some tight outfights. More screen time for her would have been appreciated.

The movie probably could have benefited from the presence of Vin Diesel, but I also have a hard time seeing him fitting into the proceedings. Besides, Walker and Tyrese make an acceptable pairing, the latter of whom delivers an enthusiastically energetic performance. Walker has the straight man role, which is just fine for his rather limited acting skills (though some bad acting on his part is apparent from scene to scene). Cole Hauser makes for a solid villain, and Eva Mendes is strictly eye candy as Walker's love interest (whether or not she's got any talent remains to be seen).

2F2F delivers what's expected of it, it may be one of the summer's dumber offerings, but it's undeniably also one of the more thrilling ones, too. If another sequel is ever made (and judging from the box office results, I'd say that's a safe bet), let's hope profanity, edgy violence, and nudity will be thrown into the mix.

The original Fast And The Furious film took me by surprise. I found myself enjoying it more than I should have. Its fast cars, crazy stunts, and brooding stars, made for an entertaining guilty pleasure. I am pleased to say that, the sequel, despite Vin Diesel's abscence, continues that trend.

Due to his actions at the end of the last movie, Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker), is now an ex undercover cop, and on the run from the law himself. As he tries to stay ahead of his pursuers, his travels take him to Miami, where he has become part of an outlaw street racing ring. After he is caught by the feds, in order to clear his record, O'Connor agrees to help take down a ruthless drug kingpin (Cole Hauser). Calling on his childhood friend Roman (Tyrese), to be his partner, the two team up with a lovely undercover agent (Eva Mendes) to try and topple an empire.

Director John Singleton doesn't mess with the successful formula of the first film one bit. 2 Fast 2 Furious has plenty of cool cars, far out driving stunts, and a bevy of beauties, to make it work. When I heard that Diesel was not going to be in this film, I didn't know if it would be as good. Actually, the film benefits from him not being a part of it, and allows Walker to prove he can carry a film. The plot seems like a natural progression and "new blood" Tyrese and Mendez offer up something fresh to the series.

The DVD includes a short film that takes viewers from the end of the first film, right up to the start of the second, showing O'Connor on the run. This music video style short is a neat idea for a film like this. Singleton provides a solid audio commentary track for the movie. Inside 2 Fast 2 Furious is an electronic press kit style featurette that's ok. But what's even better are the other featurettes called "Supercharged Stunts", "Driving School With The Cast" and learning the art of "Tricking Out a Hot Import Car" The deleted scenes and outtakes make some "noise" but requires only one viewing really. There's also a fun animated anecdotes trivia track, a behind the scenes look at how rapper Ludacris made some music for the soundtrack, and a sneak peek trailer for The Fast and the Furious video game. The DVD has not one but 3 main menus, each one has access to additional bonus material based on a character from the film.

2 Fast 2 Furious is another fine, leave your brain at the door and just go with it, kind of film. If you know that going in...you will have a good time.

"2 Fast 2 Furious" is a sloppy sequel of an original that was no masterpiece in its own right. The cars are arguably just as whatever-you-want-to-call-them, but the chases aren't, and the plot suffers from a severe case of reduced star wattage: Vin Diesel lended his dome for the first movie, then skipped town in favor of the "xXx" series. Actor/singer Tyrese and his dome fills in, but the inherent "Vinness" of the maiden road race has left the building.

Paul Walker's back, though, as Brian O'Connor, the most unconvincing cop to ever breathe air, only now he's been disavowed from the force for letting Vin's character escape and select another movie franchise. No badge in hand, Brian roams Miami, street race hustlin, catching the eye of a federal agent (Eva Mendes) who puts him undercover to land a major drug kingpin (Cole Hauser, channeling "Miami Vice"). Tyrese plays Roman, Brian's former buddy with an unclear grudge. Roman and Brian pose and paw and return smoldering glares at one another to such an extent it's possible to read the film with homoerotic subtext.

What an uninspired, pedestrian movie. "2 Fast 2 Furious" features Ludacris as a chop shop owner who does not seem to work - he emcees a jet ski race, though - and talentless model Devon Aoki as a street racing tart. Mendes is the flavor of the month but there's something curiously asexual and detached about her.

At least Singleton has enough integrity left spare the audience needless gratuity.

Fueled by low expectations, 2 Fast 2 Furious (what an awful title) far surpassed its predecessor, exceeding as the movie I expected the original to be. 2F2F has much more action, more outrageous stunts, a plot that I find better suited to this material, and an even sexier cast of scantily-dressed women. For a little over an hour-and-a-half, I was in big-budget, B-movie heaven.

Brian O'Connor (Paul Walker) is no longer with the LAPD, stripped of his badge after the events of the first film. Now in Miami, he makes his earnings through illegal street racing, something that proves to be an easy task for him. But after one particular (and superbly exhilarating) race where he comes out the big winner, he's caught by federal agents and forced to work undercover to nab a powerful drug lord named Carter Verone (Cole Hauser).

They've already got an agent undercover, Monica Fuentes (Eva Mendes), but have yet to pin Verone on anything serious. To infiltrate Verone's empire, O'Connor teams up with old friend and ex-con Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson); together, they make for a wild and dangerous driving duo, performing transportation tasks for Verone, including one final assignment that could prove particularly dangerous for O'Connor and Pearce.

2F2F, as with most big-budget blockbuster sequels, ups the ante on its predecessor; it's bigger, louder, much faster, and in this case, a whole lot more fun. The race/chase sequences are far more elaborate (unlike the original, when these guys race they actually turn curves and drive pretty long distances, rather than a mere mile-long straight line as in the original) and they're in greater abundance here, a smart move since we're clearly here to watch hardcore automotive stunts, not plot.

The story is every bit as dumb as you'd expect from such a lame title, but at least it gives the characters goals and genuine obstacles to overcome (unlike the original, which basically had its "heroes" trying to steal dvd players from trucks in broad daylight). The twists and turns are all easily forseeable (what are the chances Verone won't find out these guys are working undercover?), but the story rarely gets in the way of the action.

2F2F boasts three major action setpieces, each of them successively more impressive than the setpiece it follows. The opening race is a doozy and by itself, more exciting than the whole of the first movie. Another race early in the movie puts our heroes (and multiple "tryouts") in a test to retrive a package in an auto pound 20 miles away, with Walker even driving backwards on the highway at one point. It's the climax that clinched the movie for me, a twenty-minute sequence with cop cars and choppers chasing O'Connor and Pearce, the whole thing concluding with an outrageous but exhilarating stunt between a car and a boat.

Even as a B-movie, 2F2F isn't perfect. At a restrictive PG-13, the opportunity for profanity, edgy violence, and nudity is gone. The latter, in particular, is rather irksome. The leading ladies, Eva Mendes and Devon Aoki, are almost as good a reason as all the car stunts to watch the movie. Aoki probably boasts the best-looking body I've seen all year long (a lot of people have criticized her face, but I find it quite uniquely pretty), nice eye candy enhanced by some tight outfights. More screen time for her would have been appreciated.

The movie probably could have benefited from the presence of Vin Diesel, but I also have a hard time seeing him fitting into the proceedings. Besides, Walker and Tyrese make an acceptable pairing, the latter of whom delivers an enthusiastically energetic performance. Walker has the straight man role, which is just fine for his rather limited acting skills (though some bad acting on his part is apparent from scene to scene). Cole Hauser makes for a solid villain, and Eva Mendes is strictly eye candy as Walker's love interest (whether or not she's got any talent remains to be seen).

2F2F delivers what's expected of it, it may be one of the summer's dumber offerings, but it's undeniably also one of the more thrilling ones, too. If another sequel is ever made (and judging from the box office results, I'd say that's a safe bet), let's hope profanity, edgy violence, and nudity will be thrown into the mix.

The original Fast And The Furious film took me by surprise. I found myself enjoying it more than I should have. Its fast cars, crazy stunts, and brooding stars, made for an entertaining guilty pleasure. I am pleased to say that, the sequel, despite Vin Diesel's abscence, continues that trend.

Due to his actions at the end of the last movie, Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker), is now an ex undercover cop, and on the run from the law himself. As he tries to stay ahead of his pursuers, his travels take him to Miami, where he has become part of an outlaw street racing ring. After he is caught by the feds, in order to clear his record, O'Connor agrees to help take down a ruthless drug kingpin (Cole Hauser). Calling on his childhood friend Roman (Tyrese), to be his partner, the two team up with a lovely undercover agent (Eva Mendes) to try and topple an empire.

Director John Singleton doesn't mess with the successful formula of the first film one bit. 2 Fast 2 Furious has plenty of cool cars, far out driving stunts, and a bevy of beauties, to make it work. When I heard that Diesel was not going to be in this film, I didn't know if it would be as good. Actually, the film benefits from him not being a part of it, and allows Walker to prove he can carry a film. The plot seems like a natural progression and "new blood" Tyrese and Mendez offer up something fresh to the series.

The DVD includes a short film that takes viewers from the end of the first film, right up to the start of the second, showing O'Connor on the run. This music video style short is a neat idea for a film like this. Singleton provides a solid audio commentary track for the movie. Inside 2 Fast 2 Furious is an electronic press kit style featurette that's ok. But what's even better are the other featurettes called "Supercharged Stunts", "Driving School With The Cast" and learning the art of "Tricking Out a Hot Import Car" The deleted scenes and outtakes make some "noise" but requires only one viewing really. There's also a fun animated anecdotes trivia track, a behind the scenes look at how rapper Ludacris made some music for the soundtrack, and a sneak peek trailer for The Fast and the Furious video game. The DVD has not one but 3 main menus, each one has access to additional bonus material based on a character from the film.

2 Fast 2 Furious is another fine, leave your brain at the door and just go with it, kind of film. If you know that going in...you will have a good time.

"2 Fast 2 Furious" is a sloppy sequel of an original that was no masterpiece in its own right. The cars are arguably just as whatever-you-want-to-call-them, but the chases aren't, and the plot suffers from a severe case of reduced star wattage: Vin Diesel lended his dome for the first movie, then skipped town in favor of the "xXx" series. Actor/singer Tyrese and his dome fills in, but the inherent "Vinness" of the maiden road race has left the building.

Paul Walker's back, though, as Brian O'Connor, the most unconvincing cop to ever breathe air, only now he's been disavowed from the force for letting Vin's character escape and select another movie franchise. No badge in hand, Brian roams Miami, street race hustlin, catching the eye of a federal agent (Eva Mendes) who puts him undercover to land a major drug kingpin (Cole Hauser, channeling "Miami Vice"). Tyrese plays Roman, Brian's former buddy with an unclear grudge. Roman and Brian pose and paw and return smoldering glares at one another to such an extent it's possible to read the film with homoerotic subtext.

What an uninspired, pedestrian movie. "2 Fast 2 Furious" features Ludacris as a chop shop owner who does not seem to work - he emcees a jet ski race, though - and talentless model Devon Aoki as a street racing tart. Mendes is the flavor of the month but there's something curiously asexual and detached about her.

At least Singleton has enough integrity left spare the audience needless gratuity.

Fueled by low expectations, 2 Fast 2 Furious (what an awful title) far surpassed its predecessor, exceeding as the movie I expected the original to be. 2F2F has much more action, more outrageous stunts, a plot that I find better suited to this material, and an even sexier cast of scantily-dressed women. For a little over an hour-and-a-half, I was in big-budget, B-movie heaven.

Brian O'Connor (Paul Walker) is no longer with the LAPD, stripped of his badge after the events of the first film. Now in Miami, he makes his earnings through illegal street racing, something that proves to be an easy task for him. But after one particular (and superbly exhilarating) race where he comes out the big winner, he's caught by federal agents and forced to work undercover to nab a powerful drug lord named Carter Verone (Cole Hauser).

They've already got an agent undercover, Monica Fuentes (Eva Mendes), but have yet to pin Verone on anything serious. To infiltrate Verone's empire, O'Connor teams up with old friend and ex-con Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson); together, they make for a wild and dangerous driving duo, performing transportation tasks for Verone, including one final assignment that could prove particularly dangerous for O'Connor and Pearce.

2F2F, as with most big-budget blockbuster sequels, ups the ante on its predecessor; it's bigger, louder, much faster, and in this case, a whole lot more fun. The race/chase sequences are far more elaborate (unlike the original, when these guys race they actually turn curves and drive pretty long distances, rather than a mere mile-long straight line as in the original) and they're in greater abundance here, a smart move since we're clearly here to watch hardcore automotive stunts, not plot.

The story is every bit as dumb as you'd expect from such a lame title, but at least it gives the characters goals and genuine obstacles to overcome (unlike the original, which basically had its "heroes" trying to steal dvd players from trucks in broad daylight). The twists and turns are all easily forseeable (what are the chances Verone won't find out these guys are working undercover?), but the story rarely gets in the way of the action.

2F2F boasts three major action setpieces, each of them successively more impressive than the setpiece it follows. The opening race is a doozy and by itself, more exciting than the whole of the first movie. Another race early in the movie puts our heroes (and multiple "tryouts") in a test to retrive a package in an auto pound 20 miles away, with Walker even driving backwards on the highway at one point. It's the climax that clinched the movie for me, a twenty-minute sequence with cop cars and choppers chasing O'Connor and Pearce, the whole thing concluding with an outrageous but exhilarating stunt between a car and a boat.

Even as a B-movie, 2F2F isn't perfect. At a restrictive PG-13, the opportunity for profanity, edgy violence, and nudity is gone. The latter, in particular, is rather irksome. The leading ladies, Eva Mendes and Devon Aoki, are almost as good a reason as all the car stunts to watch the movie. Aoki probably boasts the best-looking body I've seen all year long (a lot of people have criticized her face, but I find it quite uniquely pretty), nice eye candy enhanced by some tight outfights. More screen time for her would have been appreciated.

The movie probably could have benefited from the presence of Vin Diesel, but I also have a hard time seeing him fitting into the proceedings. Besides, Walker and Tyrese make an acceptable pairing, the latter of whom delivers an enthusiastically energetic performance. Walker has the straight man role, which is just fine for his rather limited acting skills (though some bad acting on his part is apparent from scene to scene). Cole Hauser makes for a solid villain, and Eva Mendes is strictly eye candy as Walker's love interest (whether or not she's got any talent remains to be seen).

2F2F delivers what's expected of it, it may be one of the summer's dumber offerings, but it's undeniably also one of the more thrilling ones, too. If another sequel is ever made (and judging from the box office results, I'd say that's a safe bet), let's hope profanity, edgy violence, and nudity will be thrown into the mix.

The original Fast And The Furious film took me by surprise. I found myself enjoying it more than I should have. Its fast cars, crazy stunts, and brooding stars, made for an entertaining guilty pleasure. I am pleased to say that, the sequel, despite Vin Diesel's abscence, continues that trend.

Due to his actions at the end of the last movie, Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker), is now an ex undercover cop, and on the run from the law himself. As he tries to stay ahead of his pursuers, his travels take him to Miami, where he has become part of an outlaw street racing ring. After he is caught by the feds, in order to clear his record, O'Connor agrees to help take down a ruthless drug kingpin (Cole Hauser). Calling on his childhood friend Roman (Tyrese), to be his partner, the two team up with a lovely undercover agent (Eva Mendes) to try and topple an empire.

Director John Singleton doesn't mess with the successful formula of the first film one bit. 2 Fast 2 Furious has plenty of cool cars, far out driving stunts, and a bevy of beauties, to make it work. When I heard that Diesel was not going to be in this film, I didn't know if it would be as good. Actually, the film benefits from him not being a part of it, and allows Walker to prove he can carry a film. The plot seems like a natural progression and "new blood" Tyrese and Mendez offer up something fresh to the series.

The DVD includes a short film that takes viewers from the end of the first film, right up to the start of the second, showing O'Connor on the run. This music video style short is a neat idea for a film like this. Singleton provides a solid audio commentary track for the movie. Inside 2 Fast 2 Furious is an electronic press kit style featurette that's ok. But what's even better are the other featurettes called "Supercharged Stunts", "Driving School With The Cast" and learning the art of "Tricking Out a Hot Import Car" The deleted scenes and outtakes make some "noise" but requires only one viewing really. There's also a fun animated anecdotes trivia track, a behind the scenes look at how rapper Ludacris made some music for the soundtrack, and a sneak peek trailer for The Fast and the Furious video game. The DVD has not one but 3 main menus, each one has access to additional bonus material based on a character from the film.

2 Fast 2 Furious is another fine, leave your brain at the door and just go with it, kind of film. If you know that going in...you will have a good time.

For every movie remake that improves on, or at least stands apart from, its original (1986's The Fly and 1999's The Thomas Crown Affair leap to mind), there are a dozen remakes like this one that serve only to remind everyone how superior the original is. Even presenting the remake in color seems like a mistake--George Seaton's 1947 original, with its black-and-white, almost documentary-like presentation, gives a realistic foundation to its fantasy concept. The 1994 remake, on the other hand, is suffused with a burnished glow that gives the film the look of a Hallmark card, with about as much depth. And don't look to the new script for help. As re-imagined by writer/producer John Hughes, the update's only new wrinkles are an "evil" toy-store chain to rival the "good" one, protracted courtroom sequences, and a finale that has neither the visual nor logical wit of the mail-delivery denouement of the original. Only the remake's strong cast makes it even remotely watchable. Richard Attenborough is a fine Kris Kringle, Elizabeth Perkins shines as a single mom, and little Mara Wilson is very appealing in the role originally played by Natalie Wood. It's also fun to see veteran heavies James Remar and J.T. Walsh take their villainy down a few notches. The only real disappointment is Dylan McDermott, who can't match the original's John Payne for rakish charm. On the whole, the only real significance of this film--except to make the original seem all the better--is to help chart the decline of John Hughes' once-promising career. Hughes raised the bar on teen comedy (Sixteen Candles,The Breakfast Club) and directed one brilliant "grown-up" film (1987's Planes, Trains and Automobiles) before giving up to oversee the recycling of other material, including his own, into enterprises whose ambitions never seemed to rise above "make lots of money." (Subsequent Hughes remakes include Flubber and 101 Dalmatians, and more Home Alone sequels than Federal law should allow.) In the end, the 1994 Miracle on 34th street is serviceable background fodder while you wrap presents or trim the tree, but if you want a movie to WATCH, get the original.

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.

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.

This updated version of "Miracle on 34th Street" is a wonderful adaptation of the original Christmas classic. Mara Wilson is adorable as the little girl who doesn't believe in Santa, and Richard Attenborough plays a completely beliveable Kris Kringle who will have even the biggest "humbug" believing in Santa before the film is over. I watch this movie every year [at Christmas] and love it more with each and every viewing. If you love Christmas and all of those "warm, fuzzy" feelings that come with the season, then this movie can't miss.

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.

You'll fall in love with the magic of Christmas all over again with "Miracle on 34th Street," the modern day remake of the 1947 classic film about a young girl who gets the ultimate Christmas wish when she meets the real Santa Claus. With an extremely likeable cast, a faithful adaptation of the original material, and holiday spirit and cheerful execution to boot, this is one holiday film you won't want to miss.

Set in our time, the film opens with the Cole's Thanksgiving Day Parade, as Dorey Walker (Elizabeth Perkins) comes upon a severely drunken actor who has been employed to play Santa Claus in the parade's send-off. Her problems are solved when she runs across the delightful Kris (Richard Attenborough), who bears a striking resemblance to the real deal. She convinces him to replace the now-inept actor, and the parade goes off with nary a fault.

Kris's authenticity touches many of those who come in contact with him, including Dorey's young daughter, Susan (Mara Wilson), who is a non-believer. Kris, along with family friend Bryan Bedford (Dylan McDermott), sets out to make a believer out of Susan, all the while charming the children who sit in his lap at the department store, and causing a buzz of good publicity for the department store.

All of this is done with a great deal of charm and holiday spirit. The movie is one of the better modern Christmas films I've had the pleasure of seeing. The fact that it is based on a classic is of no importance, because it keeps the spirit and wisdom of that previous film and instills into a setting we can better relate to.

It keeps in touch with the original's many touching moments. One that comes to mind is Kris's conversation with a deaf little girl, a truly touching moment that rides the movie's emotional carriage home. It's scenes like this that give the movie such an uplifting sense of direction and spirit, along with the central message, as Kris so magnificently puts it, that "if you can't accept anything on faith, then you're doomed to a life dominated by doubt."

The real delights come from the cast, a perfect addition to the movie's already wonderful story execution. Richard Attenborough is a marvelous actor, and bleeds of good cheer and high spirits; he is the ideal Santa Claus, and his performance is very touching. Equally touching is the acting of little Mara Wilson, who plays Susan with a wit beyond her years, but also provides her with the same childhood skepticism that captivating young minds are so capable of. McDermott and Perkins can't hold a candle to their two costars, but their acting is nonetheless superb, and very believable.

There's nothing to find fault with in this beautifully crafted holiday film, and however you look at it, "Miracle on 34th Street" measures up to the standards of the original. Destined to become a classic, it develops a warmth and charm found in so little modern movies, and its intentions are nothing less than grand.

This updated version of "Miracle on 34th Street" is a wonderful adaptation of the original Christmas classic. Mara Wilson is adorable as the little girl who doesn't believe in Santa, and Richard Attenborough plays a completely beliveable Kris Kringle who will have even the biggest "humbug" believing in Santa before the film is over. I watch this movie every year [at Christmas] and love it more with each and every viewing. If you love Christmas and all of those "warm, fuzzy" feelings that come with the season, then this movie can't miss.

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.

You'll fall in love with the magic of Christmas all over again with "Miracle on 34th Street," the modern day remake of the 1947 classic film about a young girl who gets the ultimate Christmas wish when she meets the real Santa Claus. With an extremely likeable cast, a faithful adaptation of the original material, and holiday spirit and cheerful execution to boot, this is one holiday film you won't want to miss.

Set in our time, the film opens with the Cole's Thanksgiving Day Parade, as Dorey Walker (Elizabeth Perkins) comes upon a severely drunken actor who has been employed to play Santa Claus in the parade's send-off. Her problems are solved when she runs across the delightful Kris (Richard Attenborough), who bears a striking resemblance to the real deal. She convinces him to replace the now-inept actor, and the parade goes off with nary a fault.

Kris's authenticity touches many of those who come in contact with him, including Dorey's young daughter, Susan (Mara Wilson), who is a non-believer. Kris, along with family friend Bryan Bedford (Dylan McDermott), sets out to make a believer out of Susan, all the while charming the children who sit in his lap at the department store, and causing a buzz of good publicity for the department store.

All of this is done with a great deal of charm and holiday spirit. The movie is one of the better modern Christmas films I've had the pleasure of seeing. The fact that it is based on a classic is of no importance, because it keeps the spirit and wisdom of that previous film and instills into a setting we can better relate to.

It keeps in touch with the original's many touching moments. One that comes to mind is Kris's conversation with a deaf little girl, a truly touching moment that rides the movie's emotional carriage home. It's scenes like this that give the movie such an uplifting sense of direction and spirit, along with the central message, as Kris so magnificently puts it, that "if you can't accept anything on faith, then you're doomed to a life dominated by doubt."

The real delights come from the cast, a perfect addition to the movie's already wonderful story execution. Richard Attenborough is a marvelous actor, and bleeds of good cheer and high spirits; he is the ideal Santa Claus, and his performance is very touching. Equally touching is the acting of little Mara Wilson, who plays Susan with a wit beyond her years, but also provides her with the same childhood skepticism that captivating young minds are so capable of. McDermott and Perkins can't hold a candle to their two costars, but their acting is nonetheless superb, and very believable.

There's nothing to find fault with in this beautifully crafted holiday film, and however you look at it, "Miracle on 34th Street" measures up to the standards of the original. Destined to become a classic, it develops a warmth and charm found in so little modern movies, and its intentions are nothing less than grand.