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Maniac (2012)

Well, shit this was a good movie. Very stylish, the reviews weren't kidding when they said it was an art film like picture. The acting was very good and Wood is pretty damn believable as Frank. Honestly this is probably my second favorite role of Wood's behind Ryan from Wilfred. All the other actors do a good job as well, Anna (played by Nora Arnezeder) being the second best of the film. The music is good and the effects are pretty good as well. Overall, it lives up to the hype and is a phenomenal movie.

So the next question is: is it better than the original? It's hard for me to say. This one to me had the better story and the relationship between Frank and Anna was much better. Both versions had believable relationships, but this one felt more fully developed. On the other hand though, I prefer the effects of the original as well as the gritty tone it had. LA does come off as being dangerous in this version, but the NY of the original just felt like a place you didn't want to go to. Plus it had good old Tommy Savini behind the effects, you know you're in for a treat with him on board.

Both films are great, but the remake is honestly the better film. It comes down to the fact that it simply has the better story and relationship in it, both being the biggest factors that hold the movie together. The effects and tone of the original are superior, but they don't hold a film as much as a story does. So I must say that Maniac 2012 is indeed superior to Maniac 1980.

P.S. This remake is awesome for showing The Cabinet of Dr. Calagari.