Rant 171 19/6/12 Subject: Remakes

Rant number 171


I like films a lot you know. All different types of films in fact.

The films I think I like best though are horror films. Now, i think that the best horror films were made between the 70s and the 80s.

Some of the best of these are 'Friday the 13th','Halloween','Nightmare on Elm Street' and a personal favourite: 'fright night'

Now, beyond the fact that these films are great, there is another common denominator: they have all been remade.

And what do all of these remakes have in common?

They all really suck.

I'm watching 'Fright Night' now, and am wondering why I put it on my lovefilm list. It would be an Ok film at best, if it stood on its own.
It doesn't though. It stands on the shoulders of its much greater predecessor and has been found wanting.

It's like the difference between a cook and a chef. You can make a meal at home with a set of ingredients but a chef can turn it up to eleven (kudos points for those who know that reference.)

These directors have the ingredients which made up the original movie but lack the magic.

They also feel the need to 'make it there own' by adding modern references and subtext.

The modern 'Nightmare on Elm Street' for instance. In the original film, Freddy was just quite evil and killed for fun. There was no sexual element involved.

In the modern story though, they made him a pedophile on top of his other traits. I don't see the need. Can't he just be evil?

I watch remakes solely to see how badly they have done, but would love to see them get it right.

My advice though: watch the original, even though it may look a little dated. It will be a hundred times better.

Rant over.