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Week 7 [09.05 - 15.05] Remakes






Last week we had adaptation and fan fiction, so let me add something relevant to these subjects. Remakes are pretty popular and I suppose that everyone here has watched at least one movie of this kind. In the context of cinema and TV, remakes are productions based on an earlier scenario. They either tell anew the same story from start to end or modify it in various ways and for various reasons. Some of these only present a slight connection with their predecessor. But why are they made in the first place?

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There are many reasons behind remaking films and it's not only cash grabbing, even though money indeed plays a pretty important role in the whole process: remakes are treated as a kind of a safe ground. A tested and verified scenario is re-used so there is little risk, people are going to be familiar with it and there is high probability they will like it. 

Changes in technology are another reason to remake films. New abilities and solutions allow a better (more realistic, precise) visualization of a previous scenario. This happened in the case of silent movies which received remakes just because technology finally allowed to add sound. 

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Another reason are cultural changes, both in geographical meaning and those that happen throughout the time. The first one is about making a foreign movie understandable in other countries and its cultural sphere (films like The Ring and The Grudge fall into this category). The latter is telling the same story, but within a different and more current time context. A good example of this kind of remake is Brian De Palma's Scarface which is based on an earlier film by Howard Hawks. Both tell a story about a gangster, but the earlier film is set in the times of Prohibition (a very important subject in the 30s when this film came out), and the remake tells about a drug mafia in Florida, again a very popular issue at the time the film was out. The context here is important because it helps the audience to understand and empathize with the characters.

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Some remakes exist to taunt or ridicule the predecessor or, on the contrary, some are homages to the original or its creator. Others are built solely around the fact that something is going to be intentionally changed, like the main character's gender etc. Of course there are many, many other reasons to create a remake and there are a lot of categories they can be divided into; e.g. shot-to-shot copies of the original productions or ones that try to hide the fact they are remakes which might classify them simply as rip-offs.

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But what's your opinion on remakes? I'm pretty sure you have some because they are very popular nowadays (this and other similar productions like reboots). Perhaps you’d like to compare the originals with remakes?


Sources:
Film Remakes, Adaptations and Fan Productions, 2012
https://www.wprost.pl/516377/Powtorki-z-rozrywki


Comments

Marcin Konarski said…
I have seen few remakes, but also few either newer or older versions of movie. If I like the first one it is natural that I am interested in watching new version just from curiosity. Sometimes remakes are also for me movies that have continuation but the movie director have changed or the main character is played by different actor. We can see dramatic changes in batman or spiderman movies during the time. The last movie is much different from the first one. I will never expect having the same opinion about both versions, but sometimes I am annoyed with differences, because they change all the concept for worse. I hope that movie directors that decide to make remake will respect some basics that should not be changed.
Well obviously long time ago the equipment of movie producers was not so advances as it is right know, they did not have computers and multiple programs for animation. Now it is easier and possibilities are almost unlimited. If the concept of movie is great as well as plot it is natural that people want to make it once again but with usage of todays possibilities. Some remakes are good some are bad. The difference is not only in technique but in actors. Many of the original ones are dead and new actors play their’s role. And it is important what they decide - will they copy the previous version or they will create the character from the beginning in their’s own way.
Pat said…
I think that, despite of the "safe ground" argument, remaking is the more risky the better the original is. If you take an old B movie, it's highly possible to make a good movie out of it. But if you take a great movie, then your remake will always be compared to its predecessor - especially that many people know that special effects are not what makes a movie great. It's easy to ruin a masterpiece, and it's hard to ruin something unknown to most people :)

The good example would be the fuss that new "Ghostbusters" remake trailer caused. I won't comment on that one, because I'd have to watch the whole movie to do that - but many of the fans are extremely disappointed and say that the remake will ruin the whole franchise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3ugHP-yZXw
Unknown said…
I am not a big fan of movies, to be honest I don't even know which one of what I have seen was remaked (and I don't quite know the examples you have posted here) :P

The only thing I can say about remakes is connected to one of my favourite ps game from my childhood – Final Fantasy VII and I am sooo looking forward for a remake that is already being made for ages :D I really can't wait and I am still not sure when the release date is, because it is changing all the time :( Maybe it's already off? Must google it out :D
There are good remakes and bad remakes. Newer technology is a good reason to refresh a movie, but a good script and talented actors should follow. I honestly don't like or understand remakes directed just for the sake of changing the main characters' genders or race, usually only to make it more politically correct. And most of the times these movies end up a total fiasco. Also I think that for a remake to be succesful the original should be "forgotten" enough, I mean you won't find many people knowing a 50 year old movie, at least there will be much less hardcore purists who would tell that everything's wrong.
Unknown said…
I have nothing against remakes. In my opinion it's good way to tell the same story with better special effects and sound. When I think about remakes then immediately comes to my mind "Godzilla"! This film has got a lot of relase, like a "King Kong" (I like a newer version). So I think remake it's good idea but of course not every movie should be refreshed. I don't even want to imagine if someone came up with the idea do it again the old episodes of Star Wars. For me it will be horrible! :P
I like watching remakes - for me it's always fresh view on old topic. Of course, sometimes remake couldn't be better than the original, because the original movie was simply to good :P
But I can say that the special effects and sound could make a better movie. Especially in area of science fiction or action movie, where the story could be not so complex, but movie is still good.
Unknown said…
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Unknown said…
You're totaly right. I agree with your sentence about "safe ground". I like this sentence :) Producers make money next time for the same. But technology is also very important thing. Old productions can get a new quality.
Unknown said…
For me remake is a great tool for reintroducing old film concepts.
I often dont know I'm watching remake till I read more detailed description of it and it's good sign. There are tones of great films that because of time barrier were forgotten and became unapproachable for modern audience. Remakes put new spirit in it and adjust it to new reality.
I have nothing against remakes as long as they are of good quality. Although I have to say that I can't think about any remakes that I liked off the top of my head. Most movies I enjoy either weren't remade or were, but I didn't really care about it. I even looked up "top movie remakes" and haven't found any that I particularly liked (maybe excluding Scarface).
Unknown said…
Remakes are good in my opinion, as i've said before in other topic, it still gives the director an opportunity to tell story in "his own words" but also allows him to tell the story as it SUPPOSED to be. Remakes in my opinion (not always) have better CGI and some kind of freshness in them, even if they tell the same story
Moode said…
We all know popular remakes of Godzilla which are about 29 in total, I’m not going to mention all the titles here because if you are curious enough you can google them, not much have positive feedback, but they are fun to watch. Remakes teach us also to look at something from a different point of view, as sometimes they have the main characters but differ in story, which helps us improve our imagination in being more creative, but that doesn’t mean watching movies non-stop will make you more creative, you can train it like your body.
Unknown said…
Remaking Star Wars? That would be crazy if not impossible, at least now or in near future. But who knows what will happen in a few dozen years? Maybe the cinematography will change so much the remake will be something... natural.
Unknown said…
I agree with you. Some old film productions can be very hard to watch nowadays - references and scenes misunderstood or simply boring. Not so long ago I watched "The Last Man on Earth" a precedessor of "I am Legend" (both are adaptations of a book btw). Let me just say that it was challenging at times. :)
Unknown said…
Remakes are very popular right now and in my opinion the main reason is that people like to watch stories they know and that follow a similar pattern. Furthermore when we like a certain character we enjoy watching them even in different "incarnations". I obviously see the sense of some remakes and I watched some that I really enjoyed, however in my opinion the remake/reboot business is kind of running wild right now. However much I enjoy superhero movies, a new Batman or Spiderman movie every couple of years... it's becoming kind of silly. The new "Ghost Busters" reboot is looking just plain stupid. It can't be more than a simple money grab of producers who want to cash in on the name of the movie and the nostalgia of the viewers.
Unknown said…
You're right. Remakes can show a different point of view. It may not be a better or more interesting one, but it's still a chance to tell the story in another way.
Unknown said…
I get what you mean, I feel the same when I hear about yet another reboot of a superhero story, or a spinoff featuring the life of some supporting role. When it comes to superhero movies, for me it's just milking the cash cow because die hard fans will always buy the tickets and the associated merchandise.
Unknown said…
As a matter of fact i think it is a very individual case. Making a remake doesn't mean anything until you actually see one. For example Jackson's King Kong was reaally really good! It was spectacular, emotional and entertaining and still, i think, holding the original spirit. But i guess it is the case of remake of a film which was created a century ago - a big gap in technology, and storytelling and filmmaking techniques! On the other hand we have preparations for remaking absolute classic "Jumanji" Which was directed not so long time ago, so from the very beginning i am feeling like "damn this will lose the original's spirit and be just a sharper version filled with everywhere being CGI". BUT it doesn't have to be - maybe the filming tema will make it very special?

So i think it is very individual case, but i think the smaller time gap between the original and remake is, the more difficult task is.
Michał Pycek said…
To me remakes appear as something artificial, based on the concept which already has been published and spread to people, so there is theoretically nothing new to discover regarding the plot. On the other hand, it is true that often technology is the trigger to create a remake and show it in a modern, innovative way. Personally, I prefer to watch new movies instead of remakes, because I assume they would not bring me much value.
Unknown said…
I really like old movies, but i think it's ok that they make a remake of some of them.

It's obvious that some of the classics can not be replaced by any remake ever, because they once made it perfect and it should stay that way.

But some of the old movies we forgot, have a nice contents and it's worth remainding.
Unknown said…
If the original film was briliant, then producer of the remake will have a hard time during the whole movie making process. And sadly nowadays every hyped movie like remake, adaptation etc. Is pretty weak. Mainly by poor actor skills and senseless scenario. So it's better to leave alone original art then making some unwatchable thing from it.
Unknown said…
I'm gonna speak for myself, but I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with remakes. On one hand, I'm very curious what take the creators are going to have of the story. While on the surface, it might be exactly the same, the concept behind it might be completely different, as you've pointed out. It's interesting to see the story from a slightly changed POV (I know Mad Max: Fury Road wasn't exactly a remake, but, like with Parycja's example of The Ghostbusters, many people feel it ruins the franchise, precisely because there was a shift in POV: the title claims that the film is about Max, while we all feel it's the story of Furiosa = in a way the main character's gender changed & as a result, the underlying ideas as well. We may even think it's because of the old versions that the new one is completely different. 'Who killed the world?', the new film asks. The negative space suggests the answer quite clearly: men. All the previous films are male-centered and about men.) For many people, the point of art is to create something that challenges our perception of the world, makes are question things/stories we take for granted. This is super important, in my opinion.
I also like to compare the original with the remake, especially one updated to contemporary times/world view, to see if the story still works. If it does, then for me it proves it is universal.

The 'hate' part is completely irrational ;) As with adaptations, a remake clashes with what you're used to: the setting, the actors, etc. I can't imagine watching a remake of the Harry Potter films (Although I'm super happy that the cast of The Cursed Child is diverse :) It changes nothing and a lot at the same time.)

I think remakes are great opportunities (apart from being profitable) and ultimately the good outweighs the bad.
Unknown said…
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Unknown said…
In my opininon it is hard to classify that remakes are worst or the orginal movies are always better or not. It depends from the invested funds and the way of realization movie. For example everyone know famous movie titled "The nutty professor" with main role of Eddie Murphy which is a remake movie from 1963 year with the same title. The original movie is on the list of the 100 funniest comedies of all times which is published by American Film Institue. Nevertheless we know better the remake and it's more reputable than original because of famous Eddie Murphy. Everything depends of director, actors fame or funds. We can see it also in music market. I never liked music covers but recently I know a lot and I like it. A lot of covers are more popular than original songs because of fame of musician. Often we don't know the original version. The best example is James Arthur from X-factor TV-Show. Everyone know 'Impossible' song but not everyone remember the original author - Shontelle. Why? Because X-factor was popular and high-priced TV show.
Unknown said…
I generally like remakes, especially when some studio is remaking fantasy and sf films, and one can see CGI power in amazing films. However recently I have bit of a feeling that every film that is more like 20 years old HAS to have remake. I don't like it, but still, sometimes it makes me look at original film that I never heard of.
I think that the main reason for making remakes is that they are considered safe ground and producers know that they will have definite attention of the old fans. There is an opinion that everything that could ever be created already has and anything from now on is just a remake of an old idea. Old and liked stories are a safe bet.

The other thing I like about remakes is that they can address some technical issues in a much better way than in an older version.

What I don't like is making a remake shortly after the original has been issued just because the CEOs of a film studio decide that their studio is much more successful and their version of a movie will earn much more. This happened with the adaptation of Stieg Larsson's Millenium - it was first filmed in 2009 (a swedish-danish-german-norwegian co-production directed by Niels Arden) and then remade in 2011 by Columbia Pictures, directed by David Fincher. I am not saying that the american movie is worse because of that, I just think that it stole swedish movie's thunder.

I am really looking forward to see a Harry Potter remake in a couple of decades, even though special effects were pretty amazing in it.
OlaScislewska said…
Remakes are usually turkey. It is really hard to make something better than something good. success of the movie is not about new technology and special effects it's much more about surprising plot, outstanding cast and something special, somthing one-off. It will be my key word in this topic : one-off. And i love this kind of movies that you cant just alter and redo successfully .
Unknown said…
In my opinion it depends on the particular situation and the ideas behind the movie. As it was mentioned before, it really depends on the budget, director and actors. For example famous Scarface was brilliant in both of its versions even though they were different, each of them demonstrated specific timeline and place of the mafia in it. If in the original we have brutal Italian gangster, who is tired of being just another tough guy on the streets, in the remake we have brutal Cuban guy, who probably was war criminal and becoming gangster was just a way for him to get what he wants. If the original movie was depiction of the war among gangsters and their vision of the world in the times of 30-40s, the remake was about new-wave of gangsters that are used to trade drugs and use chainsaw as an ultimate method to resolve a conflict. Just with the help of those two movies it could be seen that sometimes remakes are necessary to demonstrate the life of the contemporary time. In the original Scarface 30-40s were modern and we were able to see the behavior of those people, music, manners and at the same time contrast. In the remake we already see 80s with its disco, fast cars, Miami, beaches and narcotic feeling of freedom. Each version is ingenious in its own way.
Also we should take into consideration the fact when the brilliant movie is done in poor manner. Classic slasher movies of the 80s could be a good example. For example Friday the 13th - classical slasher with big, tough lad, who is silently decreases population of the stupid teenagers. In the remake it is the same, however, it is a failure because the feeling of the slasher of the 80s was already lost. The same could be said about new Halloween (partially, personally for me the way new Michael Myers looks is librarian - he is psychopathic maniac, he should be bearded and dirty, not walk around in fresh clothes as if some one took care of him).
There are different situations when remakes are better, or brighter, or worse.
I do not watch films processed. Usually it concerns just as movies like Spiderman, Star Wars, etc. I do not like this kind of video. If I have time to watch a remake - in my opinion it was always worse than the original film. But this type of cinema will always great fans who yearn for Original of and want to see their heroes again.
Unknown said…
Well I think that if a movie can stand on its own it doesnt really matter if its a remake of an older work. Its natural to adapt media to current social and political context, this way new generations can form their own opinions on topics those movies touch on. What I dont like is remaking action movies just to grab some money, companies often like to play it safe by using a popular name or setting just to cash in some money. Movies that try to reinvent the wheel or simply have next to nothing in common with its predecessor save for the name or franchise.

For me, as with most movies if its a good one, it doesn't matter if its a remake, adaptation or original script.

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