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The original The Manchurian Candidate is
a classic film, and remakes of classics send shivers up film fanatic's
spines...especially a Frank Sinatra picture. However, Jonathan Demme's
remake is good, modernizing the story, making it more chilling than an evil
plot by red shirt communists. Capt. Ben
Marco (Denzel Washington) is an honorable veteran of the Gulf War against
Iraq in the early 1990's, but who is suffering from continual nightmares of
torture. By confronting these dreams, Ben believes he and his squad were
brainwashed, including Lt. Raymond Shaw (Liev Schreiber), now a congressman
and recently nominated as the Vice Presidential candidate for the upcoming
election.
Ben's erratic behavior and continual attempts
to contact Congressman Shaw bring him under investigation by the government.
When Ben realizes every man under his command has mysteriously died or been
killed, it becomes a race against time to prevent the mysterious Manchurian
Global from placing a "sleeper" in the White House. But if Ben Marco has
undergone the same brainwashing as Shaw, who, in fact, is the real enemy.
The Manchurian Candidate is
a great mystery thrill. The basic plot from the early 1960's film and the
original book is still intact, thankfully. While the storyline is already
well known, the film may hold few surprises to those who are familiar.
The real fright comes from how
poignant the story updates are to the present day. Reflections to the first
Iraq war twelve years ago seem frightening since we are in essentially the
same conflict now. The brainwashing of U.S. troops is eerie considering how
many service men suffer from the vague "Gulf War Syndrome." Most unsettling
is the idea that a greedy, unfeeling corporation could conjure up and find
support for such inhumane experiments.
These story changes seem much more
creepy than the fears that communists might brainwash our President and
thereby control our country. This film presents our cultural shift away from
the "Red Scare" towards the anti-corporation mindset. Likewise, the backdrop
of a political campaign was perfect timing for this year's presidential
election controversies.
As far as acting, directing, and
script...The Manchurian Candidate remake is slightly above par.
Denzel is fabulous in everything; but the real winner is Liev Schreiber.
Liev will be familiar to many as the Cotton Weary from the incredible
Scream Trilogy, but he has yet to reach stardom, or have any major break
through roles. Hopefully, playing opposite Denzel with further his career.
The Manchurian Candidate is
a great popcorn flick, and recommended if you are out of ideas for what to
watch. At its very least, its an enjoyable watch. |
