MovieChat Forums > Miracle on 34th Street (1994) Discussion > If you had never seen the original versi...

If you had never seen the original version...

posted 11 years ago by FlushingCaps
3 replies | jump to latest

...and first saw this 1994 version, I would think you would wonder why anyone bothered with this film.

It seems to be a much more somber, slow-paced, drama that doesn't have much fun to it. I think any film that has as its centerpiece, a question about whether there is truly a Santa Claus, is wasting its time as a serious drama.

It needs to be more lighthearted and fun to watch. Kris is fine, but the little girl is not at all good in her role. The bad guys are too nasty and believable to make it not seem like serious threats. The courtroom resolution has no joyfully, wild, manner to it, just some discussion saying "If X, then Y must be, too."

I was turned off by the proposal scene where the lawyer gives an engagement ring that seems to truly shock our female lead. Her reaction, saying something along the lines of "what ever made you think we were having that sort of relationship?" truly makes the lawyer look like a clueless fool.

To me, this movie is about an 80%-miss, with just a few good scenes.

NOW, if you have seen the original: Then you really have things about this remake to not like.

[–] PsychiatricPezDispenser 11 years ago

I agree. Story is lovely- execution was… not good.

[–] DeusExKatrina 11 years ago

I felt the cast was spectacular and the script was poor.

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"Pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the antidote to shame."

[–] Owlnut73 9 years ago

I have seen and like both versions. The plot is the same. That's the important thing. I don't mind remakes as long as the premiseis the same. I understand the need to change some things for updating purposes, but that's to be expected. I think both movies are great.

If you think this is a bad remake, you obviously never seen the 1973 version. That version was not good, despite being the same story.