The other day I heard some disturbing news. (Probably more disturbing than it should be but that is part of what makes me me.)
I heard they are planning on re-making "War Games". You know, the one that was all about the kid who used a dial up connection to hack into a computer the size of a house and starts a nuclear war... What will this one be? His iPhone and his 3G network? It just seems silly to me, especially after they already made a "War Games 2".
The 'sequel' was okay but it really had a feeling of tacking on a '2' to the title and get a number of people who enjoyed the original (and superior) film. They did bring JOSHUA back to 'beat' the new modern computer (unlikely but okay, tie it into the original a bit).
What's even worse is that they are re-making "Footloose". I have seen the preview of this film. Much of the dialogue is word for word identical to the original. Sounds good right? It is until you see the dance sequence at the drive in.
In the original, it is a group of people having a good time and dancing to have fun. In the new one, the dance sequence looks far less innocent. It is 'today's' dancing, grinding on each other and one step away from needing a room (yes, still fun but in a whole different way).
Cut to the town council meeting where Ren is arguing about the dancing being for fun and there is nothing wrong or immoral with their dancing. A more compelling argument for the dancing in the1984 version.
I have no issues with re-making films or story lines, as long as the intent is to improve the content. All too often, it is not needed and there is no improvement on the film.
Take "Ocean's Eleven". I saw the original 1960 version with the Rat Pack. That one was very good and I enjoyed it although it threw you a curve and (spoiler spoiler) the 'good' guys did not succeed in their heist.
When the re-did the movie, I felt there were improvements to the story and with the modern technology it was a very creative robbery and the cast of well knowns didn't hurt it either. Although I liked the two set in Vegas better, all three movies were enjoyable to watch.
Sometimes It may be better referred to as a re-imagining which is okay but will most likely annoy the fans of the original. The re-make (re-imagining) of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" was okay but I think it would have been better if they just made a basic horror movie. The movie was trying to cash on the originals success. For my taste, they changed the origin of the character too much and messed with the story that I am a fan of.
On the other hand, I liked the new "Friday the 13th". It stayed true to the story. It combined a bit of the first three original films and mashed them into one, but it worked.
Going from the Batman TV series in the 60's to the 1989 Tim Burton Batman (although they got a little silly at the end of that stretch of films) to the current Christopher Nolan series of Batman Begins and two sequels. Different takes of the same character and vision of the world, but they tended to stay true to the story arc and for the most part are very enjoyable.
Maybe I am being too hard on Hollywood or maybe I am just ready for my own balcony a la Statler and Waldorf and just have a need to complain.
Eventually all ideas will have to be recycled... Not EVERYTHING can be original but there seem to be a lot of movies that are re-makes that do not work.
I guess, as Garth so wisely and simply put it, "We fear change."
Perhaps I shouldn't but as I so wisely put it "It's part of what makes me me."
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