11-25-2017, 11:45 AM
Maniac (2012).
Pros & Cons:
-POV shots mostly worked to the movie's advantage. It definitely helped instill a sense of discomfort. However I feel that this does make Elijah Wood's Frank Zito less scary and sympathetic than Joe Spinell's original portrayal of the character. Though Elijah was still great and I can understand why some would find the boyish blue eyed Elijah committing such grotesque acts of violence more frightening than Spinell.
-It trades out grit and sleaze for style, overall I prefer the sleaze of the original, but I won't deny this movie is very, if not beautifully filmed. I somehow also feel it's less visceral than its predecessor. Still brutal as all hell though and in a way that does the 1980 version justice, not recommended for those with a weak stomach.
-I felt that delving more into Zito's childhood and showing us his hallucinations somehow makes Frank less creepy. The ambiguity of the original worked better and make Frank's psychotic conversations with himself or whatever it was he was experiencing unnerving.
-The relationship between Frank and Anna was more fleshed out and overall just meshed with the narrative better.
-Great as the ending was...it just doesn't top the downright fucking horrifying ending of the original movie.
Overall I'd say which version one prefers simply depends on personal taste as both have a lot of great stuff to offer.
Pros & Cons:
-POV shots mostly worked to the movie's advantage. It definitely helped instill a sense of discomfort. However I feel that this does make Elijah Wood's Frank Zito less scary and sympathetic than Joe Spinell's original portrayal of the character. Though Elijah was still great and I can understand why some would find the boyish blue eyed Elijah committing such grotesque acts of violence more frightening than Spinell.
-It trades out grit and sleaze for style, overall I prefer the sleaze of the original, but I won't deny this movie is very, if not beautifully filmed. I somehow also feel it's less visceral than its predecessor. Still brutal as all hell though and in a way that does the 1980 version justice, not recommended for those with a weak stomach.
-I felt that delving more into Zito's childhood and showing us his hallucinations somehow makes Frank less creepy. The ambiguity of the original worked better and make Frank's psychotic conversations with himself or whatever it was he was experiencing unnerving.
-The relationship between Frank and Anna was more fleshed out and overall just meshed with the narrative better.
-Great as the ending was...it just doesn't top the downright fucking horrifying ending of the original movie.
Overall I'd say which version one prefers simply depends on personal taste as both have a lot of great stuff to offer.