Actuakers One of my all time favorites.

VeteranLight I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Pluskylang Great Film overall

TaryBiggBall It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

cosmos-31990 This movie is best all time Christmas movie! Whether its the 1994 version with Richard Attenborough, Mara Wilson, Elizabeth Perkins and Dylan McDermott or the 1947 version with Maureen O'Hara, Natalie Wood and William Frawley, I can watch either one every year with the same emotional pull every time! "I believe!" Each version changes the miracle (the 1947 uses the US Post Office's innumerable letters to Santa Claus and the 1994 uses the US One Dollar bill's "In God We Trust"), but they both have the same effect. It's too bad Macy's didn't lend it's name to this excellent makeover, especially being the the parade is known as the "Macy's Day Parade," but instead giving way to the fictitious S.F Cole store in the make over.

Prismark10 The 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street was updated by writer and producer John Hughes already flying high with his Home Alone films and he manages to snag Richard Attenborough who was coaxed out of acting retirement a year earlier by Steven Spielberg for Jurassic Park.The original is regarded as a classic in America but not as well known in the UK and here I could see this film in its own merits.Hughes has followed the story of the original film with a department store executive Dorey Walker (Elizabeth Perkins) and her young daughter Susan (Mara Wilson) who do not care much for the spirit of Christmas. Dorey hires a venerable old man Kriss Kringle (Richard Attenborough) at the last minute when the usual Santa is found drunk. Kriss quickly becomes popular even if it means by always telling the truth that he directs people to rivals stores for toys because it would be cheaper there.The store is subject to a hostile takeover from a rival and part of the shenanigans means that Kriss believes that he really is Santa Claus and finds himself in court to be declared insane.The film is a decent family drama and although updated for a more cynical age which includes more disbelievers and non-nuclear families it does have plenty of festive spirit that families would enjoy but is never spectacular.The film turns on the revelation contained on a dollar bill but personally if I had written the film I would had just told the Judge to look behind him. Most American courtrooms have the Judge sitting in front of the words 'In God we trust!'

Kirpianuscus it is not exactly a remake. it is not , in real sense, a version of 1947's movie. because it looking be different. using new scenes, imposing new images and new sides of known characters. Mara Wilson is far to be another Nathalie Wood. she has the usual charm and courage to create a role in her style. Miracle on 34th Streed is a good demonstration. Richard Attenborough is a profound different Santa. and that is the essence of film - to say a story, its story, to a public who is not the public from 1947. the result - a Christmas movie who is more than decent. it is nice, moral, a lesson about the essence of mankind, a smart and touching definition of the spirit of a special holiday. a film who must be discovered not as adversary of the original but as package for a noble message. because that is its fundamental purpose.

jc-osms I enjoyed this modern-day remake of the old Christmas classic, but with some reservations. First of all, let me compliment Richard Attenborough's performance as the is-he-or-isn't-he modern-day Santa Claus, even if he plays it with an avowed English accent. He interacts sweetly with the children in the cast in particular and with a twinkle never far away from his eye, gets you rooting for him at the climactic trial scene by the end. He performs no "miracles" per se but still convinces you of his identity with his innocence, charm and sincerity. As for the rest of the cast, I'm not so sure. Elizabeth Perkins and Dylan McDermott as the yuppie couple bound to get together, lack warmth and seem just too perfect with their stylish clothes and coiffured hair. Worse, Mara Wilson as the little-miss-know-it-all 6-going-on 60 daughter of Perkins, really could just be a female Macauley Culkin, which was no doubt the aim but still isn't a good thing. There are some nice support turns though, especially Robert Prosky as the humane judge and JT Walsh as the persecuting counsel but they don't quite offset the main leads mentioned above. The seasonal shots of New York are a treat for the eye and with a pleasant Christmas-themed soundtrack too, this is enjoyable seasonal fare, well worth taking a break from gift-wrapping, to enjoy.