Sure remakes are usually things that are always condemned right out the gate and that attitude while deserved for some (looking at you RoboCop remake) for others it's just a hackneyed attitude that sometimes shouldn't be brought upon some because there are remakes that actually in one way or another outshine the original.
It's not saying the originals are bad movies but, one of the reasons a movie should be remade is when they can actually improve on things and what are some remakes done right? I have a few in mind so I'll make a list.
The list may surprise you as they do me. I'M SERIOUSLY BAFFLED MYSELF AT SOME OF MY OWN CHOICES but I will explain.
True Grit
-May consider the original with John Wayne a classic that shouldn't be touched. It is a classic indeed but the thing is when it comes to comparing the original and remake, they are so alike yet so different at the same time with personally the 2011 update coming out on top. With fantastic performances from a great cast all around and an experience that is truly believable of the tale and Jeff Bridge's Rooster more human in a way, this tale of vengeance was a superb one that actually came out above and went beyond the original.
The Karate Kid
-HOLD UP AND LISTEN. I LOVE THE ORIGINAL KARATE KID. LIKE FREAKING SERIOUSLY.
Believe me, if anyone was more p!ssed than me when I heard it was getting a remake with Jaden Smith in the lead I would be surprised. I went in to this movie expecting to hate on it and literally sh!t all over it even if it stars also like one of my favorite people in the world Jackie Chan.
But color me shocked that the remake actually arguably was better than the original. Someone needed to help me pick up my jaw off the floor because I did not expect to have those words come outta my mouth. I still absolutely adore the original film. I watched that movie like religiously when I was a little kid.
What I love about this version of The Karate Kid was that it took it's own liberties and did it the right way. This time around the kid was actually a kid and instead of dealing with the outcast situation in the setting of high school it was literally an outcast scenario. Interesting choice and it made for some visually cool scenes. Taking place in China was actually really cool.
While I love Mr. Miyagi Jackie Chan as the teacher Mr. Han was more believable. In the original it's kinda just implied this guy knows everything he's talking about right off the back. Jackie Chan knows what he's talking about because we all knows he DOES. The dude in real life knows his sh!t. And I must admit he gives off quite the performance here and I can't say I wasn't getting feels when he was breaking down about his tragic past. The chemistry shared between this teacher and student really worked for the films advantage and Jaden can actually be a decent actor. He surely isn't shy in front of the camera. Also I must admit the humor was genuinely funny and it had me cracking up quite a few times.
I wasn't expecting to admit it and say it (I slapped myself across the face to see if I wasn't dreaming. True story) but the remake actually in its own right was better and good enough of a movie to stand along side the original I've always adored that is still in my heart.
The Fly
-One of the films that made us all forever fall in love with Jeff Goldblum this remake no doubt outshines the original that was somewhat campy and this version makes the original look like Blue's Clues. With very strong characters it's a masterful tragic science fiction and gothic horror tale.
Ocean's Eleven
-With a more diverse, all around likable, and amazing cast consisting of some of my favorite actors, Ocean's Eleven was a great remake to the original 60s heist film. It just had this fun style to it and all around fell in to place and was smooth. While the sequels were decent at best but kinda unneeded if you ask me, this was a fun time.
The Ring
-Now, I am a MASSIVE fan of Asian horror. Like, I think it's safe to say I'm the biggest Asian horror fan on this forum. But this is pretty much the ONLY foreign horror remake that actually I enjoyed more than the original. And I loved the original. I have all 4 original Japanese films.
See? Cool huh.
But I just thought the new one was actually a pretty damn good adaption. I do love the subtlety of the original and it arguably does do better in that regard but the remake was very atmospheric with a great score by Hans Zimmer and also creepy visuals aided by a story that was paced well with good performances. Overall it is pretty much the only foreign remake I'll agree that's better than the original and I'm probably in a minority but I'm sticking to it.
Maniac
-For all you hardcore horror fans, you've probably heard of Maniac. If not, it's ok. It still is a rather obscure flick but the remake is worth checking out if you're in for being part of a twisted experimental film that for some will either make it or break it for you. Elijah Wood is really good at playing a creepy serial killer. The dude is already creepy in real life if you ask me so why not?
What makes Maniac stand out though is it's style that like I said will make or break the film for you. It's not your average slasher. The film is entirely shot through the point of view of our maniac Frank. This is interesting and it does take you for basically a first person serial killer ride that is brutal. I personally got a kick out of this film and while not for everyone it really did decide to do something interesting and I'm sure this film will go down as a cult classic. Wearing its influences on its sleeve and capitalizing on it.
Evil Dead
-Now, The Evil Dead trilogy are some of my favorite movies of all time. LIKE, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, I EFFING LOVE THE EVIL DEAD MOVIES! The remake however was one movie that was everything Evil Dead should be without being just some carbon copy and if you say any different, you aren't a true Evil Dead fan.
With Raimi and Cambell themselves backing this flick, I was able to sleep soundly. And people need to realize that this was a remake of THE EVIL DEAD. Which was a straight up horror flick. The franchise didn't go horror comedy until Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (Which is still my favorite Evil Dead movie of them all).
To me, this is sort of the film Raimi always wanted to make if he had the budget back then. And while I still love the original to death, there's no denying of the way it comes off to today's standards. Evil Dead updates it in all the right ways and definitely gives a worthy experience that only adds on to the already incredible legacy of the film series. It's GROOVY enough to stand with the rest and actually surpasses it. Bravo. F#cking bravo. I loved the hell outta it.
John Carpenter's The Thing.
-I love this movie. It is one of my favorite horror movies like, ever. So of course I would put this in my best remakes list. Who cares that it's technically not a remake. Everyone and their grandma considers it so just sit down and shut up. Enjoy this fantastic flick and don't question that it's truly one of the greatest remakes of all time.
Honorable Mention: Dawn of The Dead
-Zack Snyder's remake of Romero's classic was actually surprisingly great. Does it top the original? Nah. But it came pretty damn close.
So, there's more but I'll cut my list here. Discuss and have fun. Also, let's stick to films and leave video games out.
It's not saying the originals are bad movies but, one of the reasons a movie should be remade is when they can actually improve on things and what are some remakes done right? I have a few in mind so I'll make a list.
The list may surprise you as they do me. I'M SERIOUSLY BAFFLED MYSELF AT SOME OF MY OWN CHOICES but I will explain.
True Grit
-May consider the original with John Wayne a classic that shouldn't be touched. It is a classic indeed but the thing is when it comes to comparing the original and remake, they are so alike yet so different at the same time with personally the 2011 update coming out on top. With fantastic performances from a great cast all around and an experience that is truly believable of the tale and Jeff Bridge's Rooster more human in a way, this tale of vengeance was a superb one that actually came out above and went beyond the original.
The Karate Kid
-HOLD UP AND LISTEN. I LOVE THE ORIGINAL KARATE KID. LIKE FREAKING SERIOUSLY.
Believe me, if anyone was more p!ssed than me when I heard it was getting a remake with Jaden Smith in the lead I would be surprised. I went in to this movie expecting to hate on it and literally sh!t all over it even if it stars also like one of my favorite people in the world Jackie Chan.
But color me shocked that the remake actually arguably was better than the original. Someone needed to help me pick up my jaw off the floor because I did not expect to have those words come outta my mouth. I still absolutely adore the original film. I watched that movie like religiously when I was a little kid.
What I love about this version of The Karate Kid was that it took it's own liberties and did it the right way. This time around the kid was actually a kid and instead of dealing with the outcast situation in the setting of high school it was literally an outcast scenario. Interesting choice and it made for some visually cool scenes. Taking place in China was actually really cool.
While I love Mr. Miyagi Jackie Chan as the teacher Mr. Han was more believable. In the original it's kinda just implied this guy knows everything he's talking about right off the back. Jackie Chan knows what he's talking about because we all knows he DOES. The dude in real life knows his sh!t. And I must admit he gives off quite the performance here and I can't say I wasn't getting feels when he was breaking down about his tragic past. The chemistry shared between this teacher and student really worked for the films advantage and Jaden can actually be a decent actor. He surely isn't shy in front of the camera. Also I must admit the humor was genuinely funny and it had me cracking up quite a few times.
I wasn't expecting to admit it and say it (I slapped myself across the face to see if I wasn't dreaming. True story) but the remake actually in its own right was better and good enough of a movie to stand along side the original I've always adored that is still in my heart.
The Fly
-One of the films that made us all forever fall in love with Jeff Goldblum this remake no doubt outshines the original that was somewhat campy and this version makes the original look like Blue's Clues. With very strong characters it's a masterful tragic science fiction and gothic horror tale.
Ocean's Eleven
-With a more diverse, all around likable, and amazing cast consisting of some of my favorite actors, Ocean's Eleven was a great remake to the original 60s heist film. It just had this fun style to it and all around fell in to place and was smooth. While the sequels were decent at best but kinda unneeded if you ask me, this was a fun time.
The Ring
-Now, I am a MASSIVE fan of Asian horror. Like, I think it's safe to say I'm the biggest Asian horror fan on this forum. But this is pretty much the ONLY foreign horror remake that actually I enjoyed more than the original. And I loved the original. I have all 4 original Japanese films.
See? Cool huh.
But I just thought the new one was actually a pretty damn good adaption. I do love the subtlety of the original and it arguably does do better in that regard but the remake was very atmospheric with a great score by Hans Zimmer and also creepy visuals aided by a story that was paced well with good performances. Overall it is pretty much the only foreign remake I'll agree that's better than the original and I'm probably in a minority but I'm sticking to it.
Maniac
-For all you hardcore horror fans, you've probably heard of Maniac. If not, it's ok. It still is a rather obscure flick but the remake is worth checking out if you're in for being part of a twisted experimental film that for some will either make it or break it for you. Elijah Wood is really good at playing a creepy serial killer. The dude is already creepy in real life if you ask me so why not?
What makes Maniac stand out though is it's style that like I said will make or break the film for you. It's not your average slasher. The film is entirely shot through the point of view of our maniac Frank. This is interesting and it does take you for basically a first person serial killer ride that is brutal. I personally got a kick out of this film and while not for everyone it really did decide to do something interesting and I'm sure this film will go down as a cult classic. Wearing its influences on its sleeve and capitalizing on it.
Evil Dead
-Now, The Evil Dead trilogy are some of my favorite movies of all time. LIKE, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, I EFFING LOVE THE EVIL DEAD MOVIES! The remake however was one movie that was everything Evil Dead should be without being just some carbon copy and if you say any different, you aren't a true Evil Dead fan.
With Raimi and Cambell themselves backing this flick, I was able to sleep soundly. And people need to realize that this was a remake of THE EVIL DEAD. Which was a straight up horror flick. The franchise didn't go horror comedy until Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (Which is still my favorite Evil Dead movie of them all).
To me, this is sort of the film Raimi always wanted to make if he had the budget back then. And while I still love the original to death, there's no denying of the way it comes off to today's standards. Evil Dead updates it in all the right ways and definitely gives a worthy experience that only adds on to the already incredible legacy of the film series. It's GROOVY enough to stand with the rest and actually surpasses it. Bravo. F#cking bravo. I loved the hell outta it.
John Carpenter's The Thing.
-I love this movie. It is one of my favorite horror movies like, ever. So of course I would put this in my best remakes list. Who cares that it's technically not a remake. Everyone and their grandma considers it so just sit down and shut up. Enjoy this fantastic flick and don't question that it's truly one of the greatest remakes of all time.
Honorable Mention: Dawn of The Dead
-Zack Snyder's remake of Romero's classic was actually surprisingly great. Does it top the original? Nah. But it came pretty damn close.
So, there's more but I'll cut my list here. Discuss and have fun. Also, let's stick to films and leave video games out.
