Well, well first time writing on this blog. Learn something new everyday and all that...I've never been one for beating around the bush so here goes nothing. What is up with all these crappy remakes spawned from an iconic movie? For that matter what is up with the inevitable inferior sequels they give rise to? Case in point- Indiana Jones, the trilogy should have been left as a trilogy but no the insatiable greed of the producers gave birth to the monstrosity that is the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Tolerable to watch once but lacking that certain something the other movies had. Scream 4, another one that should never have been made, the plot gets wilder and wilder providing a fraction of the scare of the original but ultimately making as much sense as The Matrix movies. Need further proof?...Saw VII: The Final Chapter and Shrek: Forever After. For shame.
Remakes only provoke one response in me...why? Why would someone mess with perfection? This is especially true of horror movies, can't be content with the originals so they are updated for the younger generation by adding more nudity, less scares and pointless additional details. A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Halloween, The Last House on the Left, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Psycho are to name but a few. Another thing that I desperately wish you could explain is the shitty remakes of foreign language films like 7 days, Ju-On: The Grudge, One Missed Call, Dark Water, Let The Right One In, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo etc. Is reading the subtitles just too strenuous for some? Hollywood has bastardized so many of these epic films to produce more money to fund their next abomination.
The sheer terror and superb performances in these films are replaced by laughable 'acting' and a celebrity (although I use that term very loosely) desperately trying not to disappear into obscurity, or in contrast features a prominent celebrity who was cast only because of their popularity. Yet every time these films are released 'smash box office records'. Can I just ask who the fuck is paying to see these movies?! Who I ask you? These movies can be likened to prostitution. The posters and trailers mislead the audience by showing the best shots of the film, raising expectations which lead to us watching the film yet after the deed is done leaves you feeling empty and unfulfilled with your wallet that extra bit lighter.
Having discredited a lot of movies in this post there are a few notable sequels/remakes out there such as Sweeney Todd, Toy Story 2, Shrek 2 (the others were truly cringeworthy), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Blade II and Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and Return of the King (not technically sequels but so truly awesome they had to be mentioned). If it has to be done this is they way it should be done. But my overall view on this topic is summarised by Sidney Prescott in Scream 4 (oh the irony!) 'You forgot one rule about remakes. You don't fuck with the original.' Care to share your thoughts people?
all about making monieeess now n turnout. people who know the film from before will definitely go and watch it just to criticise it, and other people won't have a clue and say "heeey the story line is good", but not as good as the original, obviously.
ReplyDeleteI think in some ways it is good to have a remake of a foreign film, because it will raise public awareness of overseas masterpieces. I assume that many people (mainly westerners) will not actively search for foreign films. However, if a remake of one is put in front of them and they enjoy it, there is a possibility of them watching the original. As opposed to uninspired squels- I have no idea what the production companies were thinking! I guess to squeeze a little extra out of -insert movie title-'s franchise. Brilliant post! :)
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