Anyone skeptical of updated retreads of Christmas movie classics may be genuinely surprised by this 1994 version ofMiracle on 34th Street. Based on the 1947 holiday classic, this newMiraclesticks close to the original's story, though it offers more contemporary, crisper pacing and a tone curiously more reflective--even sorrowful--than before. Richard Attenborough is charming and twinkly as Kris Kringle, the part that won Edmund Gwenn an Oscar. Mara Wilson is the little New York City girl who doesn't believe in Santa Claus until Kris persuades her otherwise. Elizabeth Perkins is her hardened mother, and Dylan McDermott plays the handsome lawyer next door who defends Kris during an insanity hearing. While screenwriter John Hughes has toughened up the dialogue a bit, and McDermott's intensity looks like a dry run for his then- future role on television'sThe Practice, thisMiracleis as persuasively sweet as the one previous.--Tom Keogh
nothing like the origanal i saw this version way before the origanal and liked it. then i saw the origanal and loved it and was crazy about it. then realized that this 1994 remake is horrable.so don't buy this version for your kids instead buy the one with moureen o'hara and natalie wood
'Tisn't the Season for Romance The 1994 version of Miracle on 34th Street is a remake of the classic 1947 version. It is known to be a great movie to bring holiday cheerfulness to everyone who views it. It is about a little girl who doesn't believe in Santa Claus and then meets a white haired, jolly old man who says he is St. Nick himself. It is a very cute movie to watch with family and friends. The 1994 version goes into more depth than the old version. It also has a different ending. I'm not a fan of how the '94 version ends. I feel that it never should have been changed. This might be a spoiler for anyone who hasn't seen the '47 version, but I enjoyed how all the mail sent to Kris Kringle (Santa Claus) was dumped on the judge's desk. It was a very clear and cute ending. I feel that the newer ending is kind of unclear. All that it says is that everyone must believe in something or someone. I also don't agree with the love scene in the new version. In the old version, the director successfully got away with excluding a love scene. The attention was more toward Kris Kringle and Susan spending time together. It seems that almost every movie has a love story these days and I feel that the love scene between Dorey and Bryan is very unnecessary. If I were to recommend someone a good Christmas movie, Miracle on 34th Street would be a great choice. Except, I would recommend the original 1947 version, but they are both wonderful choices. 2 1/2 Stars- Not Magical I actually saw the remake before I ever saw the orignal... and after seeing this movie I couldn't help but be amazed out how bad it is... Now, that I have seen the orginal I know exactly what this movie lacks. The remake of such a classice was 110% unnecessary and it's easy to see why it was remade- the directors and produces knew that fans of the orginal and the book would stand by this movie...
Richard Attenborough although an extraordinary actor- is a horrible- with such deep lines their was really no real wimsy or kindness you saw from the first... he seemed to be almost to deep to be believed. Susie played by Mara seemed to be a natural choice for the serious actress. But, she seems to have little to no change in her manners in this movie. So feel as though their is no real change. Her mother seems to unnecessarily stern and cross seeing with her daughter is like watching some kind of twisted form of child abuse. Making you believe she is delierabately cruel to her own child. Mr. Walker and her seem to have little to no connection on screen and seem to live in mutual self-hatred towards one another.
While the whole point of the orginal was to show the change is Susie due to her new belief this one is not echoed in this. More about corporate takeovers and the battle for Santa Clause- it emphasies no real change in Mara or her mother- in fact you come to believe that the belief and faith they have just gained is really nothing.
This movie really is not a miracle... and it's not a remake that will ever be able to stand on it's own. Judging by the reviews some people are bound to like it. But, watching it for me is kind of boring... it lacks the magic that you see that in the first...it dosn't show the power of faith or belief so, this is definately a holiday movie I'd skip this Christmas. Rent or buy the orginal- and forget about this diaster on 34th Street.
