12 Angry Men
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VHS Movie Reviews of 12 Angry Men
Movie Review: Great Remake
Summary: 4 Stars
I love the classics, but I never pass up looking at the remakes. Sometimes they are not as good as the originals. In this case I think I like the remake just a little better. The reason is that the original used some angle shots that made the cast look unworldly and to me that detracted from it. The cast to me only had 3 people that stood out, Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, and Joseph Sweeney. Don't get me wrong the first one has some strong acting, but the remake seems like more of the cast is what I would really expect. Jack Lemmon, George C. Scott, Hume Cronyn, William Petersen, Edward Olmos, Ossie Davis, and the rest the cast left more of an impression on me. The original did not impress me with people I knew on the street in the 1950s. The remake though did seem to have people I could meet in a court room in the 1990s. As for one person commentng on the lack of forensics for the time, I hate to tell you not every city has a CSI team as good as the TV shows. I thought the evidence presented was believable, certainly as much so as the original.Movie Review: What a remake!
Summary: 5 Stars
I consider myself a very demanding movie watcher, and this one definitely satisfies my expectations. I had the chance to see both 1957 and 1997 versions for "12 angry men", and I must say my vote goes to the recent one. Friedkin manages to create a whole atmosphere which seems much more realistic to me than the rather rigid and sometimes mechanic performances shown on the earlier version. In my opinion, Friedkin's cast looks so natural in their expressions and personality, they don't seem to be 'acting', which is a fault often seen in older movies. Characters and psychological profiles were improved so that you recognize and identify everyone of them, and you have a feeling no man's missing and no man's unnecesary. Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott offer an astonishing display of talent, and Scott's final monologue makes Lee J Cobb's performance look pale and opaque. If I were to choose a lawyer, I'd take Lemmon instead of Fonda, no doubt about it. The variety of the cast brings a refreshing, believable and solid mosaic of personalities I just don't see in Lumet's film (1957). Don't turn your back on this remake. You may be missing a great movie.Movie Review: Mildly enjoyable misfire
Summary: 3 Stars
It is almost always a bad idea to remake as classic a movie as Twelve Angry Men. It is nigh guaranteed to result in disappointment. So it is with William Friedkin's remake of Sidney Lumet's 1957 film. Because it sticks closely to the original script, and has a few welcome veterans in the cast, it is saved from being totally unenjoyable. But still, even George C Scott and Jack Lemmon are no match for Lee J Cobb and Henry Fonda. The original cast had a certain presence that is not even neared by the lineup of familiar faces on show here.The production also suffers from its unbelievability. Back in 1957, a few logical holes and incredulities seemed not to matter, being compensated for by the drama and tension. Set in the 1990s, however, it is simply anachronistic. Technical advances in the forensic science seem to be unknown to the characters in this transplant to modern-day. It loses credibility. The occasional changes in the dialogue are arbitrary and unnecessary at best; banal and inexplicable at worst.
Overall, the Friedkin version lacks the atmosphere and tension of the original. Lumet's version was brilliantly edited and photographed so as to maximize the claustrophobic atmosphere and lend mood and ambience to the interplay of the characters. Friedkin's second-best begins with an annoying shaky camera technique and goes on to a flat cinematography style that does little to enhance the drama.
At least there is the treat of rehearing Kenyon Hopkins' original theme (however briefly it is heard in both versions) rearranged for jazz quartet. It is poor compensation, however, for the disappointment of seeing a masterwork reproduced in a manner that results in a pale and unsatisfying imitation of a brilliant original.
Movie Review: Futile anachronistic remake
Summary: 1 Stars
that just seems dull, dimwitted and hoplessly dated. The original was a landmark film, though still very much of its era, but the remake works about as well as a strawberry pizza.Movie Review: A Good Remake
Summary: 4 Stars
This movie may not be the original but it is definatly worth the price. I was very excited to see all of these actors in one room. I am 38 so you could say I am too young for the classic but I am not. The original was great but don't dicount this one.