Just the other day I heard there is a planned remake of The Bodyguard in the works. Instantly I thought of the 1980 movie My Bodyguard starring a very young Matt Dillon and little known actor named Chris Makepeace. Not for one minute did the smash hit starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston cross my mind, making me realize if I couldn’t remember the original movie is a remake really necessary?
Hollywood is known for trying to capitalize on the ‘remake’. Sometimes they’re a good idea, like when they’re redone to show us how far technology has come or to give a slightly different spin on an idea. Sometimes they’re done as cash grabs – with studios trying to capitalize on a formula that has already proved successful therefore the time and resources put into modifying a script are far less than coming up with an original idea.
The great thing about a remake is we get a new take on a classic movie or, at the very least, a movie that has a solid premise. The bad thing about the remake is when good or even ok movies go bad. Take The Bodyguard for example. An average movie at best. Its latest incarnation will see the title character as an Iraqi war hero assigned to protect the heroine from a cyber-stalker. Riveting.
So, when does the remake go bad? Here are a few of my picks for movies that were better off left alone:
Psycho – this remake of the 1960 Hitchcock classic, starring Vince Vaughn in the Norman Bates role (first clue right there) and Anne Heche (second clue right there) actually won the Razzie award that year for Worst Remake. ‘Nuff said.
Stepford Wives – The original was a psychological thriller that quickly became a cult classic. The remake was done as more of comedy and was marred with behind the scenes infighting among the cast. And it sucked.
Fame – Sorry, but no one can replace Coco, Leroy and Bruno. The commercials for the remake couldn’t even tempt me into watching which says a lot considering my love for all things high school and singing. Some things are better left alone.
But, not all remakes are created equal. Here are a few that were just as good, if not better, than the original:
Oceans 11 – A perfect remake for our generation. The chemistry between the actors was undeniable, and whether you actually followed along with the storyline or not, it didn’t matter because the actors were simply so fun to watch together.
Cape Fear – Truth be told I never saw the original, but the remake still terrifies me – in a good way. Whenever I think of this movie I can’t help but think of how incredible the entire cast, but especially Robert DeNiro was. Thinking of the cheek biting scene still makes my skin crawl a bit!
True Grit – I haven’t seen it yet, but 10 Academy Awards nominations can’t be wrong. Sometimes a classic is always a classic.
Another remake that I really like is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Before it was remade it was Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory starring Gene Wilder. It was a movie that became so iconic it made the terms ‘Oompa Loompa’ and ‘I have the golden ticket’ a regular part of our vocabulary and quickly became a cult classic. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was a great remake – and like certain other movies that have been remade, the original still stands the test of time.
The great thing about movies is that everyone has a different take on what makes one good. My idea of a great remake might not be the same as yours, so let me know if you agree with me and if there’s any others I should add to my list. Better yet, tell me what is the best and the worst remake you’ve ever seen – or even heard of.
Oh, and if all this talk of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory has you reminiscing, you and the entire family can catch it on TELETOON Retro on Friday, March 18 (at 7pm ET). I bet you’ll be hard pressed to tell me who liked it more – you or the kids!
Scene and Heard
Confessions from a Pop Culture Mummy
More upcoming TELETOON Retro Big Ticket Movies on
Fridays at 7pm ET:
- March 25: The Flintstones
- April 1: Inspector Gadget: Biggest Caper Ever
- April 8: Casper Scare School
- April 15: Dark Crystal
You can check out www.teletoon.com for more details.
This blog proudly sponsored by TELETOON Network
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