The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

"Everything is under control."

Caught this movie fresh from the net. Heard of the 1962 original starring Gregory Peck, but like many of my generation, have not seen it.

I like watching remakes, and then try to dig up info on what people thought about them when compared to the originals.

The Manchurian Candidate is about how Captain Marco Bennett (Denzel Washington), leader of a US military squad in Iraq (it was in Korea in the '62 version, hence "Manchurian")was being chased by nightmares and dreams of his last mission in the Gulf War. Meanwhile, the other survivors of the unit had either disappeared, died of "natural causes" or became delusional.

Except for one: Sargeant Raymond Prentiss Shaw, who was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor for saving the unit in that last mission and went on to be a congressman. Driven by his mother, Raymond was even seeking the Vice-Presidency.

Captain Marco tries to unravel the source of his nightmares, not really convinced of the suspiciously trained script that he remembers about the last mission. The further he digs, the more dirt on a certain mega corporation known as Manchurian Global (hence, the "Manchurians" of this remake) appears to be pulling the strings on the upcoming American presidential election...

After watching this 2004 remake, I wasn't impressed. The movie seemed disjointed and very draggy. The first half of the movie was entirely forgettable with emphasis on the nightmarish dreams and intangible fears. The sense of urgency picked up in the second hour when Marco is finally getting some proof of Manchurian Global's evil deeds, but by then I'm just wishing the movie is over. My brother concurs, as he nearly fell asleep.

And we both hated the "stupid ending" (his words).

Checking some sites online reveal that this 2004 remake pales in comparison to the original movie. Can't say I blame them. It could have been much better, but instead it comes off as a half-baked, political thriller with nothing much explained.

Denzel's acting is always treat to watch, and Meryl Streep as the obsessed, creepy, political and downright bitchy mother is excellent.

On a side note, the producers of the movie had a ball by setting up a fake site for Manchurian Global, very professionally done.

http://manchurianglobal.com