"The Rage: Carrie 2"

"The Rage: Carrie 2" is supposed to be the sequel to the 1976's "Carrie", but it's really more of a '90s remake, however the lead and supporting cast members are more affable than in the original. Basically it's the same shit, different day. The story deals with the life of Rachel Lang (Emily Bergl) a lonely, Goth-like, unpopular Bates High School student. Like her predecessor, Rachel's mother is a couple sandwiches short of a picnic (her mother has been committed to a mental asylum) and her foster parents see her as little more than supplementary income. Her only friend is Lisa (Mena Suvari), who makes a hasty exit from the film via the school's rooftop, which naturally upsets Rachel and the school lockers begin to violently shut, on their own. Rachel, now alone, draws the unwanted attention of school guidance counselor, Sue Snell (Amy Irving), who witnessed Carrie White's rage and suspects that Rachael has the same uncontrolled powers of telekinesis.

The downside to the movie is that it follows too closely to the original so the movie is very predictable and nothing is going to throw you for a loop. You already know (if you've seen the original) that Rachel is going to be subject to a cruel and humiliating hoax with bloody consequences. You know that she will be asked on a date by a well-liked and handsome guy (Jason London) however, instead of the senior prom, it's to a swank after-game party with the in-crowd. In this version however, the guy, Jesse, genuinely feels for Rachel, but his uppity friends are going to make him "come to his senses" and put Rachel in her place. So don't expect to be on the edge of your seat to see what happens and it is a shame that director of "The Rage" didn't go out on a limb and do something different in the end. It is all too reminiscent of the first movie, almost like the frame-by-frame remake of "Psycho" with Anne Heche. Also, just like the original "Carrie", the horror value of this film is virtually absent until the end.

"The Rage" is Emily Bergl's first film and I think she does a great job. Her character, Rachel, is well developed, which is something that most films of this genre don't do anymore. What I really like about this movie is that Rachel; unlike Spacek's Carrie which was a sniveling, naïve, whiner-- is strong and formidable character. I also liked the incorporation of Amy Irving into the second film was a good move. The movie wasn't as good as it could have been, being of the horror/thriller variety, but it wasn't a dismal cinematic failure either. Good movie to rent on a lazy afternoon.

Rating on Billz Level of Movie Worthiness: C

Scale:

A = movie tickets and popcorn for 2 (about $40)
B = buy the DVD when it comes out ($25)
C = rent it
D = wait for it to be on cable/pay TV
E = wait for it to be on regular TV

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