Was this remake necessary? Probably not. Is it better than the original? Definitely not. Does a 90's perspective make an impact? Definitely. It shows a much more cynical world, an even more materialistic holiday season, and definitely a forced sense of holiday spirit that in modern ideals makes Christmas 1994 seem like a dream. The perfection of this film comes through a romanticized version of New York City that has never existed, as well as the casting of the legendary actor turned director Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle and newcomer Mara Wilson as the little girl whom one person describes as acting 38.
The fault of thar is her cynical world weary mother, Elizabeth Perkins, who works planning the Thanksgiving parade (not Macy's; that was forbidden by the company loyal to the 1947 film), resentful of the fact that her husband disappeared shortly after Wilson was born. Perkins will never replace the memory of Maureen O'Hara, but in a sense it's a supporting part. Attenborough and Wilson certainly aren't going to top Edmund Gwenn and Natalie Wood, but they don't discredit the parts either.
My issue with this film is in its darkness, especially through nasty drunken Santa (Jack McGee) who's truly vile as he baits Kris into striking him. Store rivals James Remar and Jane Leeves are rather cold business types, the kinds of vile business oriented robots who obviously have coal where their hearts could be. But Dylan McDermott is all charm as Perkins' love interest, and Robert Prosky is a delight as the judge. So while I don't find this horrible, it's definitely lacking the feel good message and magical elements of the original that even at its darkest didn't feel like cold Christmas pudding.
The fault of thar is her cynical world weary mother, Elizabeth Perkins, who works planning the Thanksgiving parade (not Macy's; that was forbidden by the company loyal to the 1947 film), resentful of the fact that her husband disappeared shortly after Wilson was born. Perkins will never replace the memory of Maureen O'Hara, but in a sense it's a supporting part. Attenborough and Wilson certainly aren't going to top Edmund Gwenn and Natalie Wood, but they don't discredit the parts either.
My issue with this film is in its darkness, especially through nasty drunken Santa (Jack McGee) who's truly vile as he baits Kris into striking him. Store rivals James Remar and Jane Leeves are rather cold business types, the kinds of vile business oriented robots who obviously have coal where their hearts could be. But Dylan McDermott is all charm as Perkins' love interest, and Robert Prosky is a delight as the judge. So while I don't find this horrible, it's definitely lacking the feel good message and magical elements of the original that even at its darkest didn't feel like cold Christmas pudding.