TheNorm's Top 5 Good Remakes

    

 

    As a general concept, remakes of classic movies tend to fall short on overall quality. Most of the time, it is the go-to action of any major movie studio for a quick financial fix or the preventative solution to a potential legal issue. For example, the only reason Paramount Pictures rushed their remake of Pet Sematary was their reactive response to a termination notice of their film rights to the original Stephen King story. Be that as it may, there are times when a remake of an older classic happens to land in the right talented hands and accomplish what any remake should do; enhance the original without replacing it. 

    While most of the time, the original of any given film will reign supreme, there are times when a remake genuinely hits the mark and delivers an experience that's just as good, if not better, than what came before. 

    This is TheNorm's Top 5 Good Remakes. 

#5 

The Crazies (2010) 

    The original film by writer/director George A. Romero from 1973 is one of his lesser-known works. While still a classic in its own right, it didn't pick up as much traction as his debut hit, Night of the Living Dead. 

    Set in a small rural American town, the story centers around a mysterious biological outbreak causing the townspeople to go insane and murder at random. It turns out that a military plane carrying a biological weapon crash-landed in the town's lake, which also happens to be their source of drinking water. The government tries and ultimately fails to contain the outbreak, resulting in total chaos with no idea how to end it all. 

    While the original film succeeded in portraying the kind of chaos that such an event would likely cause, along with playing up the tragedy of how those who would otherwise have a solution can likely never be heard, it fails to deliver any genuine impact. Mainly because there aren't any characters for the audience to emotionally latch onto. Sure, the story follows many characters, but with no actual development or emotional steaks other than surviving the chaos. Which, sadly, is not enough for audience investment. Further complicating matters is how the film refuses to allow occasional quiet moments to allow for a more profound impact of the chaos. In an attempt to emulate madness, the film feels too one-note.

    On the other hand, the remake fixes this problem by focusing on only a handful of characters with genuine emotional steaks in the story. Plus, the film has a better sense of balance between chaos and softer moments for character and story development. It retains the tragedy of the situation while commentating further on the consequences of incompetence in the face of disaster. Something many of us can relate to. 

    Neither the original nor the remake are perfect films. Even so, one does a bit of a better job at delivering the intended message than the other. 

#4 

Oldboy (2013) 

    Based on the Manga by Garon Tsuchiya and Nobuaki Minegishi, this story was first adapted for the silver screen by South Korean director Park Chan-Wook, back in 2003. It is heralded as one of the best Korean films and one of the best live-action adaptations of any given Manga. It also has one of the most famous fight scenes in cinema history (the one set in a long hallway involving a hammer and was cleverly referenced in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings). Ten years later, someone here in the USA acquired the rights to make their own adaptation/remake of the story. While some could argue this film is technically another adaptation of the Manga and not a direct remake of the Korean film, the film's visual style and production design seem to say otherwise. Which rubbed many fans of the original Korean film the wrong way. Understandably so, I might add. 

    In fact, the original Korean film is held in such high regard, Josh Brolin, who played the protagonist in the American version, traveled to South Korea to meet with the original director, Park Chan-Wook, to ask him for his blessing. He graciously received it, along with some encouragement to make it their own and not just copy/paste what has already been done. 

    To be fair, the remake does not make much sense in some areas. For example, the original hallway fight scene was so intense because South Korea has incredibly stricter gun laws, causing many gangsters to arm themselves with bats, pipes, and other such blunt instruments. The remake, which is clearly set in New Orleans, makes little to no sense for the gangsters to not have guns. And yet, just like the original Korean film, they fight the protagonist with bats, pipes, and other such blunt instruments. Even if you could argue that the gangsters are "cost effective," I find it difficult to believe that the majority of gangsters in the USA would not have at least one gun under their belt. 

    Even so, there are aspects of the remake I appreciate and find to be a bit better. The most significant difference is less voice-over narration from the protagonist. Much like the unnecessary voice-over narration from Blade Runner, it doesn't add anything to the story that the visuals cannot deliver on their own. We don't need to hear the protagonist talk about how good he's become at fighting from his years of self-training when we can simply watch him put his fighting skills to the test. Slight differences like this set the remake apart from the original, which I tend to prefer. 

    While there is no denying that the original Korean film is a classic, the remake is much better than most would give it credit for. Now, if only the studio would release Spike Lee's original three-hour-long directors cut. 

#3 

The Haunting of Hill House (Netflix series 2018) 

    Much like Oldboy, this is technically another adaptation of a previous work. In this case, the novel of the same title by Shirley Jackson, which was adapted into a feature film twice. First by director Robert Wise in 1963 and again by director Jan de Bont in 1999. Whereas the former is a faithful and appropriately haunting interpretation of the classic story, the latter is an over-the-top, terribly cheesy spookfest that completely ignores the novel's spirit. For nearly twenty years after that embarrassing farce of a film, the Shirley Jackson story would remain untouched again until it was picked up by the Superman of modern ghostly horror cinema, Mike Flanagan. 

    Under his direction, Shirley Jackson's timeless story would see new light as a television series produced by Netflix. While the series took many creative liberties with the characters and general storyline, it did so while remaining faithful to the general spirit and theme of the novel. As an added bonus, it succeeded where the 1999 film ultimately failed. 

    Jon de Bont's film from 1999 tried to incorporate a family story but completely missed the mark. Then, Mike Flanagan came along and showed Jon de Bont how to do it properly. Plus, he retained the chilling and creepy atmosphere of the original story to a T. 

    While I may not be an adamant horror fan, I appreciate the genre when it's executed properly. You won't find a better modern example of genuine ghostly horror than in this excellent series. 

#2 

Miracle on 34th Street (1994) 

    This is one case where both films are on equal footing. 

    The original film from 1947, starring the late Edmund Gwenn as the titular Kris Kringle, is a beautiful classic that I still enjoy on the holidays. The same can be said for the remake starring the late Richard Attenborough, whom some of you may remember from films like Jurassic Park and The Great Escape. 

    While I have a fondness for both of these classic films, I find myself preferring the remake more and more. It may have something to do with the lack of overt sexism and the more secular treatment of Santa Claus’ mythology (along with spiritual ideas in general). While I recognize that those issues with the original film are merely products of their time, that still does not excuse or justify them. At least, not in my opinion. 

    Plus, the remake feels a bit more whimsical and seems to have more fun with its concept. Richard Attenborough delivers what may very well be the golden standard for portraying the concept of Santa Claus, be it on screen or in person. The music also feels more profound and present, like it's a character all its own. Also, I must admit, I may have had a soft spot for Mara Wilson when I first saw the film as a child. Don't judge me! 

#1 

The Thing (1982) 

    Based on the 1938 novella, Who Goes There?, by John W. Campbell Jr, The Thing was first adapted into a feature film in 1951 by the esteemed producer (and rumored ghost director) Howard Hawks: famous for Bringing Up Baby and Red River. While his take on The Thing is still fascinating and entertaining, it's often not the first thing most film buffs think about when discussing The Thing. 

    The original Howard Hawks film took many liberties with the original story. Specifically, the monster went from a parasitic organism that could assimilate its victims to a plant-based lumbering monster that drinks blood. Despite this deviation from the source material, it's still a fun film that delivers classic Hollywood class with some decent scares to boot. 

    Then, in 1982, legendary director John Carpenter, coming off his independent success with Halloween and Escape from New York, got his shot at a major studio movie with his brand new take on The Thing. Adamant that it would not be a complete recreation of the original 1951 film (as he is a fan of it), but rather a more faithful adaptation of the original story, and would play more profoundly into the paranoia elements. 

    The result is a film that serves as one of the most outstanding achievements in practical effects and one of the best-written horror films ever made. The script, penned by the late Bill Lancaster, features intelligent characters, witty dialogue, and a clever story. All building up to a perfect commentary on paranoia and trust. So much so that we are still analyzing and discussing it even today. 

    Oh, and if you're wondering, the 2011 remake/prequel is utter crap and not worthy of your time at all!

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.