MovieChat Forums > Miracle on 34th Street (1994) Discussion > This movie lacks warmth and magic

This movie lacks warmth and magic

posted 15 years ago by luvthelighthouse
6 replies | jump to latest

First off, Dorey's character was not very likable. Her reaction to the proposal was horrible and there really wasn't a scene that showed why she was the way she was. At least in the original, the whole speech Doris gives about believing in Fairy Tales was told so personally, and one could conclude her dreams where broken.

The Fred Gaily character was okay. Susan's character was a bit over the top for my personal liking. Now, as for Kris, I thought this version he was "okay" at best. I was so dissappointed after his scene w/the deaf girl. He looked at her sadly as she walked away. Santa wouldn't look w/pity upon a child, especially one he just made smile. This scene lacked the magic of the original scene. In the original, when Santa speaks Dutch, it's magical and gives a warm and fuzzy feeling. You can't help but feel touched to the core.

The court hearing seemed out of place. If I hadn't seen the original, I wouldn't have even understood the court scene in the remake. The remake version should have been about an assualt case, not a mental hearing. His mental being seems to be an after thought. The judge doesn't even rule that Kris is Santa, only that Santa could be real. Never does he say that Kris is the one and only Santa.

They tried to take the premise of the original and bring it up to modern times, but it didn't work. The remake jumped all over and made references to the original... but didn't explain things nearly as well as the original. If I hadn't seen the original, I don't think I would have even put together that I was supposed to feel the magic of Santa. This version lacked so much, I sum it up in this short post. The original told a real story that was true to the times. I don't think it's possible to remakes such a perfect movie.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] maytloo 15 years ago

Canada

I finally saw this remake after years of watching the original, and there's no comparison. First, Mara Wilson is NO Natalie Wood. And Richard Attenborough tries but he just didn't match up to Edmund Gwenn in my opinion. I miss the scene with the little Dutch girl, as well as the scene with the department psychologist. After all, in the original movie, he was the one who wanted to put Kris Kringle in a mental institution which led to the trial in the first place. One of my favorite scenes was during the trial when the prosecutor's son testified. And what about when all those bags of letters were delivered to the courtroom? Generally, I found there was a bit of a mean streak in this movie especially with the owner of the big-box store across the street from Cole's, and the two employees who colluded with the fired Santa to get rid of Kris Kringle. I know we should abhor the 'commercialization' of Christmas but this movie tried to hit you over the head with the message. I think in the future I'll stick to watching the original.

[–] TangledUpInDylan 14 years ago

I agree completely, luvthelighthouse and maytloo. I'd never seen either of them before yesterday, when the first one was on tv, then today, the remake was shown - I am so, so glad I watched the original first! As much as I love Richard Attenborough, I'll never watch this one again, as it was devoid of all the humour, warmth and subtle magic that made the first one so special. But at least we have the classic version to cherish and enjoy :)

Merry Christmas!

[–] jgroub 9 years ago

Yes, I agree. There is no warmth and certainly no magic. Susan is a stone-cold b!tch in this, and there's nothing for Fred to be attracted to. There is no melting of her cold heart, as we see in the original.

And calling Santa a numbnuts and a pedo? Go f yourself, John Hughes. You suck.

I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] lynnrnsd 9 years ago

You mean Dori is a bitch, right? Susan was the little girl.
I agree Dori is cold. In the original, she's obviously been hurt, and is cautious, but not _cold_. And certainly not mean. She's downright awful to Bryan when he proposes. Who calls a gorgeous man like that a fool when he proposes?

[–] JelenaG890 9 years ago

I was about 6 when this version came out. Even as a young kid, I didn't like the characters. The original version is much better, and has a heart more so than this version.