I really was so excited when the remake of The Stand was announced. Unfortunately, as details rolled in, I cringed and cringed and cringed a little more. It was mostly from the casting. But then I slowly started talking myself into The Stand remake. I still feel that they were 5-10 years too late and should have cast Matthew McConaughey as Randall Flagg. But I wanted to give everyone a fair opportunity. Aside from Law & Order, does anybody know a lot of Jamey Sheridan roles? But he was one of the best aspects of the original.
I wanted to make this one giant review, but the truth of the matter is that would be such a huge review, I just don’t want to consider that. I am going to have a Table of Contents with links to each episode and then I will write one final review comparing the original 1994 The Stand to 2020 The Stand. I apologize for the inconvenience, but this will allow me to edit better and keep things organized.
Also, this will be easy to rate overall. Just because they tried to remake this terrific story, it is starting with a 0.2. Each episode will be worth 1 point, for a maximum of 9.2. See, that is simple.
Episode 1 – The End
Episode 2 – Pocket Savior
Episode 3 – Blank Page
Episode 4 – The House of the Dead
Episode 5 – Fear and Loathing in New Vegas
Episode 6 – The Vigil
Episode 7 – The Walk
Episode 8 – The Stand
Episode 9 – The Circle Closes
Comparisons
I think it would be easiest to simply go down the list on IMDB and cover any character that I feel is worth discussing. Also, keep in mind, I have no idea how much responsibility is on the actor or other forces at hand. I’m trying to focus mostly on the portrayal and not on whose fault it is if I have something negative to say. I will list the 94 actor first and the 2020 actor second.
Mother Abigail Freemantle – Ruby Dee & Whoopi Goldberg
Ruby Dee gets the smallest edge here. She acted older better. She had a better aura of kindness to her. Whoopi at times had to be a bit more mysterious than I would have liked. Whoopi was a good choice though and should be commended.
Randall Flagg – Jamey Sheridan & Alexander Skarsgard
This isn’t even close. Skarsgard is arguably the better overall actor, but for this role, whatever the fuck they did with Flagg, it never worked. Sheridan exuded charisma, cockiness, arrogance, and maliciousness when needed. Skarsgard had subtle confidence at times and the rest of the time seemed like a brooding asshole, and then he danced like a jackass. He didn’t ever seem like he had that connection to Nadine that Jamey did. Jamey was superior in every facet, including his hair game. This was easily one of the 3 worst aspects of the 2020 version, and after looking at reviews, I can see that I am not alone.
Stu Redman – Gary Sinise & James Marsden
Yes, I don’t like Marsden as a performer. That much is very true. I dislike him and Josh Hartnett. I just read that originally they wanted Matthew McConaughey as Rand……hahaha, just kidding. These assholes wanted McConaughey as Stu and Christian Bale are Randall. Excuse me, but that is so backward. Reverse those roles and you can take my money. Regarding this comparison, Gary sounded like you expect Stu. Marsden’s “accent” was too soft and subtle. They even joke about his accent, so it should be a thick Texan sound. Gary also seemed to have a bit more confidence and vulnerability in certain situations. James did an admirable job, he didn’t ruin it, but he was just good enough to carry the role. Gary is best known for Lt. Dan, but his portrayal in The Stand was much better.
Frannie Goldsmith – Molly Ringwold & Odessa Young
Odessa Young was superior. This is the first major upgrade. The gap is huge. Molly Ringwold was never the right person for the role. She is the worst major character in the 94 version. Frannie still sucks donkey balls in 2020, but her character is just the fucking worst. But I thought Odessa looked the part and played it as well as can be expected. I look forward to seeing her in more films.
Joe – Billy L Sullivan & Gordon Cormier
How the fuck did Joe end up in 8 of the episodes? This is the flaw of following IMDB. Both played the role fine. Billy was a bit more savage and Gordon may have been more loving but he also had much more screen time. I consider this a wash and am not sure if I even consider Joe one of the 15 most important characters. Maybe, let me count. I have him somewhere in the 16-20 range, depending on the version.
Nadine Cross – Laura San Giacomo & Amber Heard
I always thought Laura was great but had a few small hiccups that never seemed right. It was also problematic that she was playing Rita’s role too in some ways. Amber looked the role I think and was given much more time and content to establish Nadine’s complicated character. I really liked that they delved into her conflict and her attempt to win Larry back worked better in 2020 because Lucy wasn’t there. Laura was good but Amber was better suited for the part and was given more to work with. I choose Amber. I also hope that if she F’d over Depp that she fades away into obscurity.
Larry Underwood – Adam Storke & Jovan Adepo
Larry was arguably my least favorite of the committee after Frannie, of course, in the 94 version. Over the years, he grew on me a bit more, but after reading the book, I always wanted more. Allow me to introduce Jovan Adepo. This dude absolutely killed it. He was one of the brightest spots in this fuckery. He was so good. The changing of the race didn’t matter at all. He was still incredible. I thought that he could have been better in episode 8, but I don’t think they gave him much to work with. Jovan is much better in this role and a promising actor that I want to see more from.
Harold Louder – Corin Nemec & Owen Teague
Corin did very well with what he had to work with and I expected him to be better than whoever replaced him. That’s a definite compliment. Owen was given 3-4 times as many scenes in the 2020 version, had a fully fleshed-out character, let’s face it, he got more screen time than anybody would have rightfully expected. But everything that he had, he shined. If he needed to be moody, a coward, little whiny bitch, cocky, defiant, fake friendly, etc., he did it and really nailed it. Owen was in the newer IT films. I want to see more of this guy. He won this quite convincingly, even down to his death scene.
Ralph/Ray Brentner – Peter Van Norden & Irene Bedard
I feel bad because I have no ill will toward Irene. Given the responsibility of this role which never felt right, she seemed to do what she could with it. With that being said, WHAT THE FUCK WERE THEY THINKING? This was such a bad idea. Peter wasn’t a great actor, but he played the role well, he was loveable and by the end, you felt a connection to him in a small way. At least he had the backstory with Nick and Tom and was a member of the committee. This new version has so many issues. 1. There was no backstory of Ray. How did she get there? We don’t know. 2. Why was this character suddenly female? You change the gender of an important character for a purpose typically. What purpose did this serve? 3. Why was this character’s race altered? I felt like it was strictly so they could make the joke that she could know which water was drinkable. Was that the whole fucking payoff? 4. Why should we have cared about this character? Peter dominates this one.
Tom Cullen – Bill Fagerbakke & Brad William Henke
I said to anybody who would listen, this would be the most difficult role to cast for the new version. I didn’t think anybody could do as well as Bill. Brad was up to the challenge. The way that they updated the character and wrote his lines gave this character new life. It was one of the only times that you felt like the writers cared about the project. I do have 2 gripes. 1. Why didn’t we get the scene with the Pepto? I always liked Julie telling him it was poison. It gave Nick an opportunity to grow a pair. This gripe applies to Nick as well. 2. Why and how did they not include Tom’s rescue of Stu and nursing him back to health with the help of Nick’s spirit? That was actually a really great scene in the original. And they definitely had time to include it given how short 8 and 9 were. Anyway, I can’t declare a winner. Both were perfect for their respective versions and much respect to both men.
Lloyd Henreid – Miguel Ferrer & Nat Wolff
Haha, you know it is bad when I am shaking my head when I saw that Lloyd was next. Nat appears to have played the role that they wrote for him. He did a great job with it. I hated what they did with his role. He was extremely cheesy and over the top. Lloyd never seemed to be that guy. He was a loyal servant to Randall who wasn’t overly flamboyant. Miguel was perfect for the role and that character felt closer to how I envision the character in my mind. Lloyd’s characterization was on my list of top 10 missteps that the new version took. Miguel wins.
Nick Andros – Rob Lowe & Henry Zaga
Henry did fine for the role that was written for him. I even liked his attitude at times, especially when he gave Flagg the finger. I think I may have even felt more empathy for Henry’s version. With that being said, the new version robbed Nick of some scenes that helped Rob’s version be more enjoyable. Nick’s interaction with the sheriff and doctor and opting to let the guys go and help Ray in jail, that all matters. The Pepto scene helped. I honestly think of Nick as an amalgamation of the two portrayals. Rob’s closeness with Tom was more endearing and he helped with ralph’s character too. Finally, they robbed Nick of being the one to suggest Tom as a spy. They robbed him of a needed layer. Instead, they just have Abigail get mad at him for sending spies. This is a win for Rob’s version, but I appreciate Henry as well.
Glen Bateman – Ray Walston & Greg Kinnear
Both guys played their roles beautifully. More was asked out of Greg, especially in the court scene. Yet when Lloyd shot him, I felt more sorry for the original. I wish both versions had 2-3 more minutes of screen time since I enjoy the character. I don’t think either did anything that much better than the other. Both were very good and I consider it a tie.
Teddy – Stephen King & Eion Bailey
I only included this because they gave Teddy so much more to work with in the new version. I loved Eion in this role. Stephen King did exactly as you would expect in his much more limited version. I am happy that they expanded the role. The 2020 Teddy wins practically by default.
Julie Lawry – Shawnee Smith & Katherine McNamara
I loved Shawnee in the original, but her role is so minimalized outside of 2 scenes. She did great but was limited by time on screen. Katherine was given probably 4 times as much screen time. They really increased Julie’s visibility by making her Lloyd’s girlfriend. While I didn’t care for the over-the-top New Vegas, she played her role incredibly well. Also, did you see how sexy she looked with Dayna? I am giving the edge to Katherine because she actually was given time to develop her character.
Rat Man/Woman – Rick Aviles & Fiona Dourif
Rat Woman was far more integral to the story than Rat Man was. Rat Man was solid in his 2 minutes on screen. Rat Woman was good at times and grating on my nerves at other times, especially early on. By the end, I quite liked her character. I’m still not sure that Fiona was the right choice. Alice Braga could have been interesting to me in that role. I think I would have given her a better name. Rat Man sounds lame but like a lackey in one of those side-scrolling beat ’em up’s of the early to mid-’90s, like Final Fight. They change gender and race for reasons that I can’t explain. That’s why I would have just changed the name of the character. Anyway, she wins.
Judge Harris – Ossie Davis & Gabrielle Rose
They screwed the character over so badly in this new version. Another gender and race switch, but this time it makes even less sense than the Rat Man/Woman situation. This is nothing against Gabrielle, this is strictly about the writing. They didn’t ever remotely establish who she was, she just rode with Larry. She had few lines. We were given no indication of why she would be a good spy. Why would a federal judge go to Vegas given the circumstances? They needed someone who could portray themselves as something different. But we got nothing. Hell, we didn’t even get to see her showdown with Bobby Terry. This was incredibly bad. And once again, spend 4-5 minutes with giving her a few lines before she left and then a 3-minute showdown. Wow, suddenly it tells a story. I am giving the edge to Ozzie. Also props to him and his wife, Ruby Dee for being in Do The Right Thing.
Dayna Jurgens – Kellie Overbey & Natalie Martinez
They gave Natalie much more to work with, plus put her in that lingerie with Julie. Kellie got the sweet shirt, was sleeping with Lloyd and had that badass knife. Natalie got to pretend to be Negan. Kellie aroused teenage Kent. I’m giving the slightest advantage to Natalie only because she had 3 times as much screen time and decimated Garvey.
General Starkey – Ed Harris & J.K. Simmons
I am admittedly a huge fan of both guys but probably prefer Ed Harris overall as an actor. But they gave J.K. more because of the poetry and I liked that they did that with his character. It added depth. I gotta give it to J.K. due to extra layers.
Doctor in the facility with Stu – Max Wright & Hamish Linklater
Max is best known as Willie Tanner, but as Dr. Derringer, he lacked much personality. Dr. Ellis had a lot of charisma. I was surprised that they gave him that much screen time, but it was nice. I don’t know if it got Stu over anymore with the audience as opposed to dealing with a dickhead doctor. I prefer Ellis, but I can see why others may prefer the 94.
Charlie Campion – Ray McKinnon & Curtiss Cook Jr.
How dare you accuse me of listing Charlie just so I could give props to Ray in a very small role. It’s a small, but incredibly important role, well at least it was in the original. He sets the tone. By the time we meet him and his story in the new one, the impact has waned significantly. The original gets an easy win here because of how long it took for us to see the new version’s Charlie.
Rita Blakemoor – Laura San Giacomo & Heather Graham
Okay, I am kinda cheating here. Laura was Nadine and her character had certain aspects of Rita. It was nice to have an actual Rita this time around, and they did great with casting Heather. It was one of the biggest issues that people had with the original. Easy win for Heather.
Garvey – Nobody & Angus Sampson
Why even include him? Garvey’s scene was super important. I don’t know if this is how it played out in the book, I don’t think it is, but that isn’t the point. We needed a glimpse into the bad people of the apocalypse. Dayna needed that scene. Randall mentions it later on. It’s actually quite pivotal. It’s also the moment when Harold officially gives up on Fran. Angus barely wins this one.
Trashcan Man – Matt Frewer & Ezra Miller
You know why this is last. This hurts my soul just thinking about what they did to this character. It’s about as bad as what Speilberg and Lucas did to Indiana Jones in the 4th film. Yes, they raped Trashcan Man. The writer should be arrested. I don’t know if Ezra is a good actor. I know very little about Ezra and what I do know, I’m not gonna discuss. What I do know is that Ezra should have turned the role down after reading the script or demanded better or leave. Matt Frewer is a fantastic character actor. With that being said, if you keep all of his scenes and lines the same and just switch actors, could Ezra have improved upon that? I am not sure, but I’m going to say no. The 2020 version was already breaking my balls, but when they took 6 episodes to finally introduce one of the most beloved characters and then fuck him over that badly, no thank you. I reiterate, whoever wrote the character that poorly should be arrested. Matt wins by the largest gap possible.
Final Thoughts
If you just read all those comparisons, you must be wondering why I am so down on this version. That’s simple. The original’s main characters were portrayed better, by and large. Stu, Flagg, and Trashcan Man were superior while Larry and Fran shined brighter in the new version. Well, Fran is a shitty character, so that’s not a huge perk. You have to get certain characters right.
Think about it like this. If you have to get a character perfect, is it more important to worry about Julie, Ralph/Ray, and Teddy or is it more important to get Stu, Randall, Harold, Lloyd, Trashcan Man, Nick, Tom, Nadine, and Larry correct? That’s all I am saying. The new version had different things that they focused on, especially Harold, which I thought was smart. And you can tell that at various times, they really tried to please the fans. But then you see some of the huge atrocities and all the goodwill vanishes.
I always thought that Vegas kinda looked shitty in the original, and maybe that was the point. It wasn’t what it used to be, but still a brightly lit beacon. In this new one, they went too far in the opposite direction. I know that they were taking advantage of really amping up the language, violence, and sex in New Vegas, and I appreciate that, but it still kinda looked dated and stupid to me.
For all the time, budget, and Stephen King helping, you probably hoped and maybe expected more. I sure as shit did. Did you watch Episode 9? Fucking hell!
I feel like I could forgive some bad character decisions, some bad casting, some poor visuals, even skipping over certain scenes that I feel could have helped. I think I could forgive some of that, maybe most of it. But there is one thing that I can’t forgive and if you read reviews, you will see countless people say the same thing.
They failed to tell the story in chronological order. They did so many things out of place that it lessened many of the scene’s importance and emotional impact. Hey, we’re in the first episode, Stu is already with a very pregnant Fran. Uhmmm, excuse me? We’re not going to even start this with Charlie Campion. We’re going to save that until after we have already fully explained what happened so then when you do see it you will feel bored and indifferent. WHY? Why would you mess with the pacing of a well-paced story? Why would you rearrange it in a way that lessens the impact of so many early plot points?
Imagine watching The Christmas Carol. Scrooge is on the very of meeting Jacob Marley or the Ghost of Christmas Past. Then the next thing you see is Scrooge running around all happy and making Bob Cratchit his partner and donating to the poor. And then we see the Ghost of Christmas Future. After that, we then see how poor Bob is. Then Tiny Tim says Merry Christmas everyone. Then we see how Scrooge treats Bob at work, then hop to the future and they are all having dinner together. Does that sound like something that you want to see? No? I didn’t think so.
Also, they missed the opportunity to play The Zoo by the Scorpions or Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N Roses when entering Vegas and went with cliche songs.
Overall Rating
Final Rating – 5.6 – I don’t think it should be this high because I think it was a really poor job on some important things. The thing is, the story and characters are so good that I’m still going to like it. I think it is a similar idea with the reboot of Nightmare on Elm Street. Yeah, it didn’t live up to expectations. But the core story is still great. Episodes 8 and 9 really dragged down the score, but so did episode 1. Yes, I gave it a 0.5, but that should have been an easy 1.0. So to lose easy points is the sad aspect.
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