For all the remakes and repurposings that have gone on over the years, destroying beloved franchises, or reminding us how shitty they original was and how bad an idea a remake is, Barry Sonnenfeld's 1991 The Addams Family is the clear exception to the rule. It is not only a great movie in its own right, but is a beautiful tribute to a show that was really quite spectacular. There is no real attempt to one-up the original. Sure, the sets are more elaborate and the budget greater, but they are not parodying the originals. Many of the actors are not doing strict interpretations of the television characters, but likely more close to the comic strip. The best, and this may just be the hormones talking, are Angelica Houston and Christina Ricci. While Ricci's Wednesday is a tad creepier than the show (Wednesday was only six on the tv show), but Angelica Houston's Morticia is so wonderfully like Carolyn Jones, it actually expanded my appreciation for Jones' portrayal.Anyway, I could go on and on. Watch this one. You must.
Oh, and the pinball game was awesome.
3 comments:
I love Morticia's line "Don't torture yourself, Gomez... that's my job."
It is truly the exception! A great movie for fans of the original or not. Ricci was never better, in my opinion!
@Cerebus - "Gomez, last night you were unhinged. You were like some desperate, howling demon. You frightened me... Do it again."
@CJoe - it was likely her most suitable role.
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