Whoa! Slow down....

Rating: 6/10 (12 October 2014)

Carrie White is an emotionally repressed teenager that is abused, bullied, and over-protected by her domineering mother, who is overly religious. To make matters worse, Carrie has a target on her back from Chris Hangensen because Chris got in trouble for picking on Carrie. Sue Snell feels bad for Carrie, decides to make Carrie feel welcome by making her boyfriend, Tommy Ross take Carrie to the prom. Things start off well, but things go awry when Chris Hangensen decides to get revenge on Carrie. Big mistake
I've never understood the fuss over this movie! I don't like to use the word overrated, but Carrie falls into that category. I will admit that the storyline does evoke sympathy from the viewer. The emotional turmoil and abuse Carrie goes through is disheartening and riveting at times. Carrie is a girl we can all sympathize with and relate to as well. How many of us have been chastised and bullied for marching to the beat of your own drum...or being different? The judgment and teasing about this sort of thing still goes on today. Carrie automatically garners sympathy for this. Watching her be normal for a little while at the prom before chaos erupts is very rewarding and touching. My problem is that everything seemed so rushed! There was so much more they could have done with the storyline. More on Carrie's telekinesis would have been ideal. It's all subdued and somewhat vague until the infamous prom scene and the ending. The reason this movie gets the "classic" reputation, is because of the last 30 minutes or so. Yeah, it packs a wallop, but it wasn't anything that deserves all the praise it has gotten over the years. There are powerful scenes scattered here and there (The shower scene with Carrie freaking out about her period is very disturbing) but I don't think this movie deserves to be hailed as a classic. The acting is pretty good. Sissy Spacek is a revelation as Carrie. She is alternately creepy and sympathetic, exactly what I wanted. She really makes this movie better than it is. Piper Laurie gives an unbearably hammy performance as Carrie's Mother. She is WAY OTT! I have no idea why people love her performance. It's highly overrated if you ask me! Her constant babbling made me wanna smack her! Religious fanatics like her are a reason why I frown upon religion at times. Nancy Allen steals the show with her vindictive performance. She was the perfect antagonist for Carrie. William Katt is very charming as Tommy. His hair was pretty cool, too. Amy Irving is decent as the girl with a heart. I thought she was off and on. John Travolta is a hoot as Nancy Allen's boyfriend! Horror legend, P.J Soles does well as Nancy Allen's accomplice.
Stephen King adaptations are often a mixed bag. I enjoy certain aspects of this movie, but it's very overrated. It's nowhere near as powerful as it wants you to believe. In all honesty? I think it's a bit dated. This is a DECENT horror movie! that's it.
6/10