MovieChat Forums > The Parent Trap (1998) Discussion > Watched both and some thoughts

Watched both and some thoughts

posted 2 years ago by JoeBlow88 (559)
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Wife really liked the first movie, we watched it - my first time. Then watched this one a few days later. The first movie was better.

-The movies were of similar length but the first one built a better story.
-Acting was better in the first one but she was older 14/15 years old in real life vs Lindsay (11/12).
-Second movie used a lot more comedy - the cheesy childish stuff from the 90s.
-The grandfather figure was better in the first one. When he found out that she was his long-lost grandchild, they did a better job of portraying his emotions and attachment.
-They cut out a few scenes from the camping trip e.g. the cougar sticks.
-Second movie, the comic relief nanny and butler - they were cute but not really necessary.

[–] AmeriGirl26 (14381) 2 years ago

My problem with the first film is that a lot of the cultural stuff they showed in it was confusing and strange to me as a kid. It seemed weird, watching girls go to a summer dance at camp, like they were debutantes at an old-fashioned ball. Or how the California twin had to stay in the mansion in Boston and deal with the music lessons, which I couldn't understand why they were so important. In fact, Sharon's life in Boston felt like some kind of Victorian holdover (despite being in the 1950s/60s) compared to Susan's over in California.

I also didn't like Hailey Mills' short haircut. She looked like she was wearing a helmet, or like a boy with breasts.

Despite mostly using the same script and storyline, the Lindsay Lohan version was easier for a 90s kid like me to relate to, and added an exotic flavor by making the mom a Brit instead of a Boston native.

[–] JoeBlow88 (559) 2 years ago

Fair argument. Had i seen the newer one as a kid, i would have liked it more.

Agreed, The short hair looked bad and did not suit her.

Both are good movies.