Reboots and remakes

I love films. With a passion. Not quite as much as I love books, but close. I will watch films of any genre, from any era and any country. I love a wide range of films, from cheesy horror to more profound works of art. I read film magazines and am fascinated by makings of and books about film.

However, I am perplexed by the preponderance in Hollywood for remaking and rebooting films. Some of which do not need to be remade or retooled. I understand that the bottom line for film companies and production companies is to make money. If any business is to survive then profit making is a natural element of survival. But, is there really a dearth of original ideas for scripts? Is this even a sensible question to ask when it seems like every comic book published is being made into a film and every bestselling novel gets optioned?

In the last few years we have had numerous remakes of horror films. Some of the 1970's low budget films can be given a glossy make-over and work well for audiences who weren't around at the time. I would argue that it is better to introduce younger spectators to the older films and let them appreciate the differences in culture and era. There are over 40 horror remakes in production at the moment, including Nightmare on Elm Street. Do we need remakes of good films? If a film is that much of a classic and has defined its own iconography then probably not. Remaking an obscure film that didn't work that well the first time can be effective, but updated effects and music video style visuals do not a great film make.

As for remaking and rebooting bona fide classics then we enter a whole different ball game.

There has been fan ire about a proposed Alien remake. Although the stories have been revised to indicate that it is a likely prequel rather than a straight remake. Apparently there are proposals for a new Buffy movie. Buffy the film was pretty poor. Buffy the TV series was pretty damn fine. Joss Whedon created a wonderful and dynamic show. Now a Buffy movie spun off from the show could conceivably work, but a new Buffy movie without any involvement of Joss Whedon, the man who made it all work, seems a ridiculous idea.

There are plans to reboot Tomb Raider with a new actress. The films weren't great, but weren't as bad as is generally made out. They were dumb, fun flicks. But is there any need for a reboot? In the same way that Hulk was rebooted recently, there comes a point where logic seems to have left the film industry. I can see the validity of remaking a film from thirty odd years ago, but rebooting a property from four or five years ago shows a lack of imagination and creativity. Superman Returns was a fantastic film and a worthy entry into the franchise. Bryan Singer directed a beautiful film that showed a love for and understanding of the character. Yet, Superman is one property slated for a reboot.

I unashamedly love genre films. SF, horror and fantasy are the genres that get my juices flowing, but I want to see unique and original ideas. Things like The Orphanage or Pan's Labyrinth. It is interesting that some of the more intriguing films are coming from outside the Hollywood system. But given Hollywood can make a considerable amount of money from genre films you would hope that someone, somewhere would plump for something new.

I guess having an easily identifiable brand name and recognisable franchise makes marekting and sales of movies very easy and straightforward. But it shouldn't have to be. At least some interesting ideas still spring forth. Like Moon, directed by David Bowie's son, Duncan Jones. It looks like an SF throwback to classic thought provoking films.

When a film comes out that bucks the trend then we celebrate. But we should also celebrate the classics and educate audiences who may not have seen the originals as to why they are good and still valid today.