5 Most Unnecessary Remakes
With Hollywood apparently running low in the fresh ideas department, studios seem to be serving up repackaged leftovers, sometimes throwing in a big budget to try to make an old classic shine again. Unfortunately, this approach is often either done too soon or strays too far from why audiences fell in love with the original film. Here is a list of the 5 most unnecessary remakes out there.5. The Karate Kid (2010) When it was first rumored Mr. Miyagi was being brought out of retirement, a lot of people thought Karate Kid was being rereleased for a new generation to enjoy on the big screen. After all, it came out in 1984, just long enough ago for some of its original young fans to share it witht there kids today. An entirely new remake was nowhere near necessary, but sentiments are tempered in that this movie could probably survive on its own. With some key setting and plot changes, at least the new version offers a fresh spin on the classic, as opposed to just recasting it wish new stars and better effects.4. The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) At first glance it would seem this 1951 film could use a freshen-up. Studios were probably licking their chops at the chance to apply today’s new technology to one of science fiction fans favorite scripts, but in doing so they missed the point of why fans today still rave about the golden oldie. The black and white version is quirky, engaging and believable in its naivety and doesn’t fit with the modern day script updates and thematic relevance re-writers forced down viewers’ throats.3. Lolita (1997) It takes guts to remake a Kubrick film, with his notorious reputation as a perfectionist, and Adrian Lyne’s new version is far from terrible, but a lot of the genius in the 1962 film lies in crafting Nabokov’s novel to be not only suitable for the sensors of the early 60′s but true to the story’s central motifs. Remaking Lolita under today’s relaxed societal norms turns the film from a masterpiece into a mere movie.2. Psycho (1998) The sign of a truly terrible remake is when young people who weren’t even alive when the original movie was popular are more likely to have seen the older film. Ask anyone of age to see an R-rated movie who directed Psycho and you’ll hear “Hitchcock” a whole lot more than “Van Sant.”1. Death At A Funeral (2010) Students could have seen both the original and the remake in the same four years of college or high school. When piggybacking a movie made just 3 years prior, try to at least make it an improvement. Casting Chris Rock to this end is never a bright idea.