The Vanishing (1993) - 3 stars out of 10

The Vanishing (1993) - 3 stars out of 10

"The Vanishing" is a really great movie concept.  Unfortunately, the concept was executed much better in the original version, "Spoorloos."  A lot of remakes fall short because of the actors or the cinematography, but this one falls short because THEY COMPLETELY RUINED ONE OF THE MOST SHOCKING ENDINGS IN MOVIE HISTORY!  Even more perplexing than why anybody would feel the necessity to give this film a happy ending is the fact that this remake has the same director as the original!  Maybe he had a new vision for the ending, but to add an additional 20 minutes and change the entire story and characters to facilitate this ending is ridiculous.  Aside from the synopsis, you would never know that this was the same movie because they ruined all of the subtleties from the original.  I agree with Hal Hinson of the Washington Post: "A case study in how Hollywood can make a complete mess out of what was previously a marvelous film."  We lose all of the important family moments that make the villain so despicable, and why does Rita have to become the hero and louse up the chilling original ending?  It is no fault of the actors - Jeff Bridges makes a great villain, Kiefer Sutherland has a nice performance, and I loved Nancy Travis as Rita, but why do we lose every great aspect of the original.  "Spoorloos" perfectly prolonged the kidnapping, keeping you on edge as you expect it  about 15 times before it actually happens.  "The Vanishing" doesn't seem to understand suspense, opening a ton of plot holes simply to set up its new, inferior ending.  Do NOT waste your time with this - just go straight for "Spoorloos" and you will never know the disgrace that is "The Vanishing."

For my review of the superior Dutch version, see:http://jonnysdailymoviereview.blogspot.com/2011/05/vanishing-spoorloos-8-stars-out-of-10.html