Scorcese is admittedly a genius, and the film was not without its entertainment value, but in no way can this pallid imitation measure up to the original. DeNiro can cover his entire body in tattoos and he'll still never be as fearsome or formidable as Mitchum was in the original. Also, the ending was a cheap Friday the 13th rip-off, unworthy of Scorcese, with DeNiro's character seeming to return endlessly from what should have been certain death. Maybe if the original hadn't ever been made, Scorcese's version wouldn't have seemed so average. But, unfortunately for Scorcese, fortunately for fans of truly classic movies, it was made...

It was okay, but compared to the original it falls short. I agree that Deniro's performance was a little over the top.

The original is way better. I can't believe DeNiro recieved an Oscar nomination for an hour and a half of mugging and screaming. Robert Mitchum in the original gave a powerful performance and made Max Cady a truly intimidating and memorable character, while DeNiro was just a ham. Part of what made Mitchum's performance so great was that you weren't always sure what his motives were- Cady at first seems to be a reasonable, if slightly creepy, guy until he gradually reveals himself as a homicidal creep. With Mitchum's portrayal of the character, you didn't know what his motives were, whereas with DeNiro you simply didn't care. Mitchum should have won an Oscar, DeNiro should never have bothered.

The Mitchum/Peck version really creeped me out when I was a kid and it still does. The second version was creepy but a bit too unbelievable at times - come on clinging to the bottom of the car. Please! And DeNiro was often so over the top he was more funny than scary. I still crack up when I think of the line, Come out, come out whareever you are. Not the best southern accent I've ever heard, but very funny stuff.

Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck in the first movie were great, but then so were Robert DeNiro and Nick Nolte in the second. Both Mitchum and DeNiro know how to play crazies, I'll give'em that. I'll just say I enjoyed them both and let it go at that.