Ok, where do I begin? The “new” Stand, well, I hated it, I guess I can start there. It is so far off the mark from the unabridged version of the book. I’ve read it three times and have seen the 1990 mini series at least a dozen times. It seemed like they changed things…just to change them, with no clear or apparent reason why.
I thought this “new” Stand would hopefully pull the threads morphed or omitted from the original, in this new version. I was sorely mistaken. The characters of Rita Blakemore and Nadine Cross were separated in the original book. However, neither identifies closely with the characters in the book or the original miniseries. I was hoping to see The Kid appear in this version as it had been omitted from the original miniseries, but it is also missing from this version. And where is Rae Flowers, played so well by Kathy Bates?
Except for Tom Cullen, the characters are all watered-down versions I could have done without. Mother Abigail, played well by Whoopi Goldberg, was the central figure in the book and the original miniseries. In the new version, she has few scenes and appears to be an afterthought. No real work was done to delve into the character of Abigail Freemantle whatsoever, and this character lacks depth and purpose.
Nick Andros, one of the most integral characters in both the book and mini series, is also a watered-down character that had the potential to really make this series better, but instead has minimal relevant scenes.
And I’m so disappointed in the Stu Redman character that it frustrates me why they even put him in this series; he is essentially a meaningless character in this new series. Stu was the cornerstone around which all other characters were drawn in the book and mini series, but in this, he is just another useless character.
Harold isn’t bad, I like the actor playing him, and he did his best with the lines and scenes they gave him. The jury is still out on Harold, but the storyline has changed so much that it’s like watching an entirely different movie now.
The new Larry Underwood is a shell of the original’s morally bankrupt, free-wheeling character. It’s just another miss here.
I didn’t like Molly Ringwald as Fran in the original mini series, and this Fran disappoints just as much. Again, just another meaningless character in a cast of meaningless characters.
We haven’t seen Trash yet, so I hope to be pleasantly surprised by him, excellently played by Matt Frewer (where oh where have you gone Matt Frewer?). But Lloyd Henreid is just nothing like the book or original miniseries character, played initially very well by Miguel Ferrer.
And Flagg. Could there possibly be a more perfect Flagg than Jamie Sheridan, I ask you?! His engaging smile made him the most enigmatic character in the original mini series, and he really nailed that part so well! The new Flagg isn’t bad, but not Jamie Sheridan by any stretch. The New Vegas and how Flagg ran it in the book and the original movie series were completely polar opposites. Again, it feels like it’s not telling the same story and isn’t even loosely based on either of the original works.
Overall, I’m genuinely disappointed in this adaptation. I feel like they were going for the flashy and strange without much consideration for those of us who have read and seen the originals. Or maybe it’s been so long they thought we’d just forget? Out of a 10-star rating that I give the original mini series 8, I give this a 2, and that’s being generous.
Maryanne Chappell, Author 