Monday, January 13, 2014

Movie Re-Makes: Worth it or Not?

I'm looking forward to seeing the new RoboCop, which according to Rotten Tomatoes, "While over-the-top and gory...is also a surprisingly smart sci-fi flick that uses ultraviolence to disguise its satire of American culture." I've seen the 1987 version and can't wait to see the technological improvements in the re-make.
RoboCop, 1987
Sometimes movie re-makes can be an improvement over the original film, like The Maltese Falcon.  In the 1931 version, sound was relatively new in movies, and sometimes actors delivered lines with their backs to the camera.  In addition, there was no mood music.

The Maltese Falcon, 1941
The 1941 re-make has become a classic, thanks to a charismatic cast that includes Humphrey Bogart, Peter Lorre, Sidney Greenstreet and Mary Astor. The musical score and dramatic cinematography place this film head and shoulders above its earlier counterpart.

Psycho, 1960
Although some re-makes surpass their predecessors, that's not always the case.  Take Psycho, for instance. The 1960 version was directed by Alfred Hitchcock.  Hitchcock--need I say more? Then along came the 1998 version, a shot by shot remake.  Why?

Do you have a favorite movie re-make and a not so favorite one?

Thanks for visiting and have a great week!

4 comments:

William Kendall said...

I would have to think that one over, but one that comes to mind is the 90s version of Little Women, which matches, if not tops, the Kate Hepburn version.

These days it's so common to either remake or "reboot" (I hate that word) a concept. And it often backfires.

Norma said...

I'll be blunt. In most cases, remakes are done because Hollywood as an industry is lazy and afraid to take risks.

But I have to confess that I have liked some remakes better than the original....

Jennette Marie Powell said...

I'm not crazy about the trend lately that seems to be nothing but remakes! Some are better than the originals, some not so much, but I'd like to see more new material!

shelly said...

Love the Amitttyville Horror remake. But didn't care for the remake of The Shining. Jack Nicholson was priceless in it.