I understand that this version of the movie is closer to the original Stephen King novel than the one that we are probably all familiar with from 1976. They say that, at least, but I'm pretty sure the 1974 novel did not include anyone uploading to YouTube or texting their boyfriend.
This version stars the always interesting Chloë Grace Moretz as the titular character. You may remember her from such films as Kick Ass (as Hit Girl) and Hick. She plays the role very well, and she comes off as believable for the awkward teen just reaching puberty. It's been a while since I saw the first movie, and I have to admit to never having read the book, but I don't remember Carrie having such direct control over her telekinesis.
Julianne Moore plays the excessively religious, overbearing and controlling mother who routinely locks her daughter in a closet to "pray for forgiveness" and has strictly avoided all the birds-and-bees talk in favor of a mantra about the evil bits of a woman and the evil bits of a man (which appear to be the entire person). I've seen her in lots of roles, and she always seems to do a good job of making you believe that she is too much like the character she is portraying. I guess you'd call that acting.
Well, a mean girl at school starts taunting Carrie when she gets her period and doesn't know what it is all about (and consequently thinks she's dying). That girl predictably gets in trouble and then has a vendetta against Carrie. Some of her friends back her, and some of them don't.
The effects in this movie are mostly blood-related, and the blood they came up with is a nice compromise of bright red for visual effect and dark blood for realism. There are some other effects that are also very well done to demonstrate Carrie's developing telekinetic skills.
Direction was very good
Acting was very good
Story was very good
Dialog was good
Effects were great
4.25/5