Movie Remakes
There is a place in everyone’s heart where we keep our most precious memories. The moments with our family, friends, first impressions, these are the things from the past that make us happier. Once we recall them, our hearts get filled with warmth and joy that we experienced in those times. Without them our lives would be plain, there would be nothing to treasure.
Basically, the same thing happens with movies or music. Each of you remember some of the old movies, the great ones, that still live in your head bringing you only warm feelings about your youth. However, when it comes to business, these reminiscences can become your weak point. That is what some major film companies count on. Usually, making a remake of a popular box-office draw, filmmakers tap into our memories to lure the audience to make this production an unprecedented box-office success again. The only question is whether the original version loses its magic, after the movie remake is released. If we feel the same multiplicity of feelings as we did watching the original one, than I do not see any point in blaming remakes. On the other hand, oftentimes fledgling directors take up the initiative to shoot a new version which results in a complete failure. Being inexperienced does not mean lack of talent or skill. The point is that such filmmakers tend to waste the entire budget on special effects which in fact does not make an old movie any better. Sometimes it is inappropriate as the movie loses its charm. Therefore it is not entirely surprising that many people hate remakes, having faced such negative experience.
An obvious example of such a disastrous remake in history is ‘Psycho’. Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film is one of the best movies in the horror and thriller genre so it is not an easy task to remake it even for a gifted director. However, Gus Van Sant was of different opinion and just copied it in 1998. The original 1960 Psycho was chilling and spine-tingling, and fans weren’t exactly begging for a do-over — it’s considered one of Alfred Hitchcock’s best films, and just hearing Norman Bates’ voice is still enough to make your skin crawl. The remake didn’t take much artistic license, opting instead for a shot-for-shot copy of the original. While watching it, it’s hard not to ask why it was even worth shooting a remake if the film would barely deviate from the original. Even most of the script and musical score was extremely similar. Other than that, the film was nominated for a grand total of three Golden Raspberry Awards, and won for Worst Remake and Worst Director.
Nevertheless, there can be also good examples of film remakes.
In 1947 American film noir Kiss of Death directed by Henry Hathaway was released, and it was one of the most grossing movies of the year. Featuring Brian Donlevy and Victor Mature the movie was a sure-fire hit. The impeccable cast who played their roles to perfection made the movie immortal classic, whose quotes have been mentioned in many other films all over the globe.
In 1994 director Barbet Schroeder decided to pay tribute by reviving the narrative of a classic black and white thriller. It might seem that making the movie colorful would kill it but the brilliant trio of David Caruso, Samuel L. Jackson and Nicolas Cage literally saved it. The remake manages to rival the original due to relevant special effects, nail-biting fights and stunning plot twists.
One more movie based on the original production ‘Kiss of Death’ was released in 1958 and did not really grow popular. Narrowly known Gordon Douglas converted it into a horror which does not have much to do with film noir.
To sum this little comparison up, I would rather watch the remake with Nicolas Cage in the leading role. It seems more believable and professional rather than a 1958 no name.
From my perspective, sometimes we’d better remain old classic movies as they are, with minor exceptions. If it worked out with ‘Beauty and the Beast’, it doesn’t guarantee that it will succeed in any other case. To remake a movie is a daunting task so it is recommended that only talented and respectable directors do this.
