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The Best and Worst of Movie Remakes

Richard Wells

Richard Wells

— 13 min read
The Best and Worst of Movie Remakes
The Best and Worst of Movie Remakes

In the cinematic universe where stories are perpetually reimagined, the concept of movie remakes has become a fascinating yet contentious topic. The allure of nostalgia, coupled with the promise of modern visual effects and fresh storytelling perspectives, often draws audiences in, yet the question remains: can a remake ever truly surpass its original?

As a movie fanatic and avid film writer, I've seen my fair share of remakes. Some are truly spectacular, while others... well, let's just say they could have used a bit more time in the editing room. Today, we're going to take a look at some of the best and worst movie remakes out there.

The Best Movie Remakes

The Departed (2006)

The Departed (2006)
A masterful reinterpretation that stands tall as a masterpiece in its own right, with stellar performances and deft direction.

Martin Scorsese's "The Departed" is a masterclass in filmmaking. It takes the core premise of "Infernal Affairs" and elevates it with Scorsese's trademark storytelling and character development. The film is packed with powerhouse performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson, making it a must-watch for any film enthusiast.

Scarface (1983)

Scarface (1983)
A cult classic propelled by an iconic performance and its enduring impact on pop culture.

Brian De Palma's "Scarface" is a larger-than-life reimagining of the 1932 classic. Al Pacino's iconic portrayal of Tony Montana, coupled with De Palma's raw energy and visual style, have made this film a cult classic in its own right.

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Scarface (also known as Scarface: The Shame of the Nation and The Shame of a Nation) is a 1932 American gangster film directed by Howard Hawks and produced by Hawks and Howard Hughes.

Ocean's Eleven (2001)

Ocean's Eleven (2001)
A stylish and slick update that captivated audiences with its charismatic cast and clever heist storyline.

Steven Soderbergh's "Ocean's Eleven" is a modern take on the Rat Pack classic. With a fresh perspective and an ensemble cast led by George Clooney and Brad Pitt, this film seamlessly blends humour, suspense, and camaraderie, making it a standout among remakes.

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Ocean's Eleven, American heist film, released in 1960, that featured the legendary 1960s “Rat Pack” of Las Vegas entertainers, including Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Dean Martin.

Scent of a Woman (1992)

Scent of a Woman (1992)
A compelling character study with a powerhouse performance and poignant exploration of friendship and redemption.

Martin Brest's "Scent of a Woman" is a powerful reimagining of the Italian film "Profumo di Donna." Al Pacino's stellar performance as Colonel Frank Slade is the heart of this film, earning him an Academy Award for Best Actor.

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Scent of a Woman (Italian: Profumo di donna) is a 1974 Commedia all'italiana film directed by Dino Risi, based on Il buio e il miele, a story by Giovanni Arpino. Both Risi and the leading actor Vittorio Gassman won important Italian and French awards.

The Thing (1982)

The Thing (1982)
A chilling and atmospheric horror film that remains a benchmark for the genre with groundbreaking practical effects.

John Carpenter's "The Thing" is a chilling reimagining of the 1951 sci-fi classic. With groundbreaking practical effects and a sense of dread that permeates every frame, the film is a benchmark for the horror genre. Its ensemble cast delivers standout performances, while Carpenter's skillful pacing keeps audiences guessing until the very end.

True Grit (2010)

True Grit (2010)
A gripping Western with standout performances and a faithful adaptation of the source material.

The Coen Brothers' "True Grit" is a remarkable remake that stays true to the spirit of Charles Portis' novel while infusing it with their trademark wit and visual flair. Hailee Steinfeld shines as the determined Mattie Ross, and Jeff Bridges brings rugged authenticity to the role of Rooster Cogburn. The film's sharp dialogue, stunning cinematography, and unforgettable characters make it a standout in the realm of Western cinema.

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3:10 to Yuma (2007)

3:10 to Yuma (2007)
A tense and well-executed remake that captivated audiences with its compelling story and strong performances.

James Mangold's "3:10 to Yuma" is a tense and gripping remake that captures the essence of the original while adding its own distinct flavor. Russell Crowe and Christian Bale deliver riveting performances as the conflicted outlaw and the determined rancher, respectively. The film's moral complexity and thematic depth elevate it above typical genre fare.

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Insomnia (2002)

Insomnia (2002)
  • Director: Christopher Nolan
  • Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
  • Running Time: 1 hr 58 min
  • Remake of: Insomnia (1997, Norway)
A gripping psychological thriller with standout performances and a haunting atmosphere.

Christopher Nolan's "Insomnia" is a haunting and atmospheric thriller that delves deep into the psyche of its flawed protagonist. Al Pacino delivers a nuanced performance as the sleep-deprived detective, while Robin Williams shines in a rare villainous role. Nolan's exploration of guilt and morality elevates "Insomnia" above standard genre fare.

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Insomnia is a 1997 Norwegian thriller film about a police detective investigating a murder in a town located above the Arctic Circle. The investigation goes horribly wrong when he mistakenly shoots his partner and subsequently attempts to cover it up. The title of the film refers to his inability to sleep, the result of his guilt (represented by the relentless glare of the midnight sun).

King Kong (2005)

King Kong (2005)
  • Director: Peter Jackson
  • Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Action
  • Running Time: 3 hr 7 min
  • Remake of: King Kong (1933, USA)
A visual spectacle with technical achievements, though lacking the emotional depth of the original.

Peter Jackson's "King Kong" is a visual extravaganza that pays homage to the original while pushing the boundaries of cinematic spectacle. The film's epic scale and jaw-dropping special effects set a new standard for blockbuster filmmaking. Andy Serkis delivers a mesmerising performance as the titular ape, bringing emotion and depth to the character.

True Lies (1994)

True Lies (1994)
An action-packed romp with a star-studded cast, though falling short of the charm of the original.

James Cameron's "True Lies" is a rollicking action-comedy that showcases the director's flair for spectacle and storytelling. Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers a charismatic performance as the suave secret agent Harry Tasker. The film's blend of humour, romance, and explosive action set pieces makes it a crowd-pleasing blockbuster. We say it's a great remake, even if it falls short of the charm of the original French film.

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La Totale! (The Total!) is a 1991 French spy comedy film directed by Claude Zidi.

The Worst Movie Remakes

Ben Hur (2016)

Ben Hur (2016)
  • Director: Timur Bekmambetov
  • Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
  • Running Time: 2 hr 25 min
  • Remake of: Ben-Hur (1959, USA)
An ill-fated attempt lacking the grandeur and emotional depth of the original, despite its ambitious scope.

Timur Bekmambetov's "Ben Hur" fails to capture the grandeur and emotional depth of the original epic. Despite its ambitious scope, the film's bloated runtime and lacklustre performances pale in comparison to the iconic 1959 version. Downright blasphemy this was!!

Point Break (2015)

Point Break (2015)
A lackluster remake failing to recapture the adrenaline-fueled excitement and camaraderie of the original.

Ericson Core's "Point Break" is a forgettable remake that squanders the potential of the original's adrenaline-fueled premise. Lacking the chemistry and camaraderie of the 1991 cult classic, Core's film feels like a hollow imitation. Words can't really describe it so 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Red Dawn (2012)

Red Dawn (2012)
  • Director: Dan Bradley
  • Genre: Action, Thriller, War
  • Running Time: 1 hr 33 min
  • Remake of: Red Dawn (1984, USA)
A generic reboot lacking emotional resonance and political subtext, failing to justify its existence.

Dan Bradley's "Red Dawn" is a generic reboot that fails to justify its existence. Lacking the emotional resonance and political subtext of the 1984 original, the film's thinly drawn characters and uninspired action sequences pale in comparison to John Milius' gritty Cold War thriller. This almost deserves an entire article on it's own, I mean why even call it a remake, slap some stupid Hollywood title on it like "Rise of the Flaming Sun" and make it a standalone film FGS! For the life of me I can't understand how Milius didn't visit the set armed to the max!

John Milius with his shotgun!
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Jacob's Ladder (2019)

Jacob's Ladder (2019)
A convoluted remake failing to capture the eerie atmosphere and mind-bending twists of the original.

David M. Rosenthal's "Jacob's Ladder" is a convoluted remake that struggles to capture the eerie atmosphere and mind-bending twists of the 1990 cult classic. The film's muddled narrative and lacklustre performances fail to recapture the psychological horror of the original. Hard NO!

Oldboy (2013)

A watered-down adaptation lacking the gritty intensity and shocking twists of the original.

Spike Lee's "Oldboy" is a watered-down adaptation that lacks the gritty intensity and shocking twists of Park Chan-wook's 2003 masterpiece. Despite a talented cast and stylish direction, the film fails to capture the raw power and emotional depth of its predecessor. Had high hopes for this one but sadly it didn't hold a candle to the original.

The Mummy (2017)

The Mummy (2017)
  • Director: Alex Kurtzman
  • Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
  • Running Time: 1 hr 50 min
  • Remake of: The Mummy (1999, USA)
A misguided attempt relying on CGI spectacle over genuine thrills, failing to recapture the charm of the original.

Alex Kurtzman's "The Mummy" is a misguided attempt to reboot the classic monster franchise. The film relies heavily on CGI spectacle but fails to deliver genuine thrills. Tom Cruise's performance feels out of place, and the film's generic plot lacks the sense of adventure and excitement that made the 1999 original a beloved classic. If Tom Cruise can't blockbuster the shit out of an action film then something must be really wrong!

Carrie (2013)

Carrie (2013)
  • Director: Kimberly Peirce
  • Genre: Drama, Horror
  • Running Time: 1 hr 40 min
  • Remake of: Carrie (1976, USA)
An uninspired remake lacking the chilling atmosphere and psychological depth of the original.

Kimberly Peirce's "Carrie" is an uninspired remake that fails to capture the chilling atmosphere and psychological depth of Brian De Palma's 1976 classic. Despite a committed performance from Chloe Grace Moretz in the titular role, the film feels like a paint-by-numbers retread, lacking the visual flair and narrative tension that made the original a landmark in the horror genre. The less we say about this film the better!

The Wicker Man (2006)

The Wicker Man (2006)
A laughable remake plagued by unintentional comedy and devoid of the eerie atmosphere of the original.

Neil LaBute's "The Wicker Man" is a laughable remake that fails to capture the eerie atmosphere and creeping sense of dread of the 1973 original. The film descends into unintentional comedy, with Nicolas Cage's over-the-top performance and ludicrous plot twists turning what should have been a chilling horror film into a campy parody of itself. At least we'll always have Cage with some bees to remember!

Straw Dogs (2011)

Straw Dogs (2011)
A gratuitously violent remake lacking the unsettling tension and moral ambiguity of the original.

Rod Lurie's "Straw Dogs" is a gratuitously violent remake that lacks the unsettling tension and moral ambiguity of Sam Peckinpah's 1971 original. The film trades depth and nuance for shock value, ramping up the gore and brutality to disturbing levels without offering any meaningful insight or commentary. I don't understand how a director can get it so wrong? Do they even watch the original film?

Fame (2009)

Fame (2009)
  • Director: Kevin Tancharoen
  • Genre: Drama, Music, Musical
  • Running Time: 1 hr 47 min
  • Remake of: Fame (1980, USA)

Despite catchy musical numbers, a remake that lacks the authenticity and heart of the original.

Kevin Tancharoen's "Fame" is a lacklustre remake that fails to capture the authenticity and heart of Alan Parker's 1980 original. The film feels like a sanitised version of the gritty musical drama, trading substance for style and sacrificing character development for flashy dance numbers. Despite its catchy soundtrack and energetic performances, "Fame" lacks the emotional resonance and social commentary of its predecessor. Just no, no, no...

Road House (2024)

Road House (2024)
A disappointing remake that fails to live up to the cult classic status of the original.

Haters gonna hate, and I know it's still streaming as of the time writing this article BUT... Doug Liman's "Road House" is a disappointing remake that fails to capture the charm and energy of the 1989 original. The film lacks the charisma of Patrick Swayze's iconic performance, and the storyline fails to deliver the same level of excitement and engagement. Despite attempts to modernise the story and action sequences, the remake falls flat and fails to do justice to the cult classic status of the original film. Some movies have garnered cult status due to connection to time and an era, this drivel won't be remembered by May 2024! Sorry Gylly baby, should have left this one alone.

As Hollywood continues to revert to remaking classics at the drop of a hat, it's clear that there will be no shortage of remakes to discuss in the near future. With upcoming projects like "The Crow" and "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" slated for release in 2024, it's hard not to feel a sense of trepidation. While some remakes have managed to capture the essence of the original and even surpass it, many more have fallen flat, failing to recapture the magic that made the original so beloved. As we look to the future, it's my hope that Hollywood will approach remakes with caution, taking care to preserve the integrity of the original while also bringing something new and exciting to the table. Only time will tell if these upcoming remakes will be able to strike that delicate balance.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Richard is a movie fanatic and avid film writer at www.rewindzone.com, a nostalgic movie blog website featuring articles on classic films and actors from the past.

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