I was scrolling around IMDB.com [internet movie database] looking at all the trailers for new and upcoming movies when I stumbled across a trailer for Footloose? Yes, fellow Bohemians, they have ruined…er, “remade” another classic. I was immediately flustered. Being from a younger generation, I suppose people would expect me to enjoy remakes. I don’t. Not necessarily. Sure, sometimes I enjoy a remake because of the abilities that new technology gives to movie studios. They’re able to pack movies with more gore and make them even more realistic. But then there’s the curse and blessing of 3D and CGI. At times, both of these technologies are clearly called for,and both have been used in ways to make extraordinary movies, such as Transformers, or animated features even more spectacular, like Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs. But at times I feel as if these abilities are a bit abused. The reason I love older movies, especially those set in the 80′s even though I was born in ’87, is because they didn’t have a lot of technology, and so relied upon make-up and real special effects to convey their points or characters. There were real car chases and the monsters in the movies were real people wearing real costumes and make-up, or real machines dressed to look the part. There wasn’t someone with a tennis ball on a pole standing in where the monster would later be CGI’d in. It saddens me to see the quality of movies deteriorate because some studios are more concerned about money, then about actually making a good movie. I feel that most studios and actors/actresses care about nothing more than making a quick million bucks, rather than making a movie that can outlast the changing times. Now I’m not saying all movies nowadays are garbage, I’m just saying that something’s wrong when studios start reaching back to remake classics, but end up making no improvements to it. Some remakes are magnificent, and still contain the heart of the original, but others should have been shot down where they stood. With that being said, I’d like to introduce my own personal list of a few of what I believe are fantastic remakes as well as what I believe shouldn’t have made it past the cutting room floor.
Remake Wonders:
1. Halloween – This is indeed a wonder. It’s held true to its original frightening legacy, but also managed to terrify me even more by allowing me to feel sorry for Michael Meyers by making him a bit human, and then immediately reminding me how much of a true monster he was.
2. Mr. Deeds [remake of Mr. Deeds Goes to Town] – This is an example of what a modernized remake should be. It contains pretty much the entire original story, but has been improved with color as well as with actors that are able to portray the original characters with a much more modern and goofier sense. I enjoyed the original,but this remake had me laughing out loud so much more.
3. The Mummy – Another modern-adaptation of a classic, and I’ll be honest, I enjoyed this one so much more, simply because I’m young and enjoy graphics and more modernized sets and action sequences every once in a while.
4.The Nutty Professor – I adore Jerry Lewis, but I really think that this remake was a complete improvement over the original. I mean there’s only so much Jerry Lewis I can take and this remake was beyond hilarious. I loved that Eddie Murphy was able to showcase how he could play multiple characters and the comedy was just outrageous.
5.The Texas Chainsaw Massacre - I remember seeing the last seen of the original and giggling. Safe to say, the original wasn’t as terrifying. This remake was amazing. The music, the colors, the set, and the way I felt like I couldn’t breathe for fear Leatherface would find me, made it an undoubtedly improved remake for me.
Remake Disasters:
1. Hairspray – As much as I liked watching John Travolta sing and dance around dressed like a woman, I’ve seen the original with Ricki Lake and it just couldn’t compare.
2. Love Don’t Cost A Thing [remake of Can't Buy Me Love] – I understand the whole “updating” concept and how they hoped to modernize it, but the original was just amazing, because it was original and was simple . This remake tried too hard to be modern, with all the brands and cars and…it just tried way too hard.
3. A Nightmare On Elm Street - I loathed this movie. I gave it a chance, I did, but I did not enjoy the fact that they had to delve deeper into the sick, twisted life of Freddy Kreuger. I’m sure no one else wanted to know that Freddy took dirty pictures of little girls. This isn’t Lifetime, it’s a horror movie.
4. Piranha 3D [ remake of Piranha] - Barf. Another display of the abuses of technology. The original gave me nightmares and I am still hesitant to stick my hand or foot in any body of water besides a pool because of it. When I saw that they remade it into a 3D film, I nearly rolled my eyes out of my head. More CGI with tennis balls and less real action.
5. House of Wax – Paris Hilton. Enough said.
July 1, 2011 at 11:49 pm
This old lady appreciates technology as much as the next person-well, maybe not but I do appreciate it. Technology, however, has huge limitations. Ever seen Casa Blanca? Of course you have. Any true movie fan has.
Casa Blanca, overwhelmingly known as one of the greatest movies of all time, is black and white (there is an unnecessary colorized version) and employs no special effects whatsoever.
It’s no big mystery, my friends, what enabled the movie to achieve this status: Casa Blanca practically defines the word-CHARACTERIZATION.
It allows us to get inside the minds of some extremely interesting people! From “Rick” (Humphrey Bogart), the cynical but cool and seemingly self serving night-club owner, “Ilsa” (Ingrid Bergman) the beatiful wife bound to a man she worships for his goodness but is not physically attracted to, to “Captain Louis Renault” (Claude Raines), the opportunistic but lovable and humorous leader of the local French police.
The last line of the movie (spoken by Bogart) is argueably the most classic in all movie history: “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” …And, no, I havent forgotten about “Here’s looking at you, kid” (also spoken by Bogart and from the same movie)
Icing on the cake? The plot and storyline is fascinating, as well!
A very patriotic tale, set in WWII, Casa Blanca reminds me of some of the most important reasons I enthusiastically celebrate The 4th of July.
I agree, Esmeralda, some remakes just dont fly even with fabulous special effects and technology added. I hope Hollywood is smart enough to leave Casa Blanca alone!
July 2, 2011 at 8:45 pm
Thanks for the comment Lorrie Lee, I appreciate you visiting my blog. I hope that Casa Blanca never comes under the remake radar. If it does, I hope someone within the group has enough courage to shake some sense into whatever money-grubbing producer/director even suggested it. Some classics should be left as is. They’re classic for a reason. They’re unique, legendary, and singularly spectacular.