I didn't read the book, or watch the original version of The Manchurian Candidate, but now I really want to. I though the new film was extremely well done. The muted and dark cinematography, and the subtle, ominous score created the perfect atmosphere. The acting, besides being really good (of course), was chilling and slightly over the top, in a good way. The whole mood of the film was incredible; and the flashbacks of the brainwashing facility were so creepy.

How did it compare to the original? I know people who refused to see it, because they said the original could never be duplicated. Anyone read the book?

I also very much enjoyed this film. I never saw the first one or read the book either though.

I didn't like it. I found it so stereotypical of a brainwashing movie.

I loved how the kayaking scene was shot, when he's going toward the shore and the other guy just starts walking in the water toward him...so creepy. You know exactly what's going to happen.

I'm somewhat of a Denzel nut, I own three of his movies (thie one included,) which is the most I have of any actor. I thought he did a brilliant job being a nut ball. Lieb Schrieber was his badass stoic self and Meryl Streep's incetuos nature was very unnerving. I didn't have high hopes for this moving going in but was very happy I saw it when I left the theatre. I honestly felt it was one of the few good movies of last year.
I've caught bits of the original when it aired on PBS when the movie was in theaters but it was too slow paced for me, but the scenes I saw were pretty scary. My point of few for these situations is, if I like the remake as much as I liked this then I don't need to bother with the original.

elliott.

Yeah, the kayaking scene was amazing. The drowning, especially of the girl, was really creepy.

I really liked the way the run-down apartment building was shot. It had the most amazing atmosphere and mood, and the room full of deranged pictures, while not a new concept, was very well done.

I thought that this was a great film. I actually havent seen it since it came out in theaters. I have the DVD but I havent gotten to the time to watch it yet. I never did read the book or see the original film, but I think thats a good thing because I most definitely enjoyed the Machurian Candidate a lot.

Cool, and welcome, JRA81984