Nov 28 2008
Horror Movie Remakes
Horror fans are usually very passionate when it comes to discussion of their favorite films. A subject that has become the basis of a major argument amongst horror fans is that of the current wave of remakes.
Remakes have made up a large portion of horror film releases in the past ten years. Dawn of the Dead (2004), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (2003), House on Haunted Hill (1999), The Haunting (1999), The Hills Have Eyes (2005), and Rob Zombie’s Halloween (2007) stand at the forefront of this movement. Fans have reacted with a mixture of enthusiasm, disappointment, disgust (that their favorite films have been re-imagined), and apathy.
Some fans feel that a remake may “ruin” their favorite film; others think that a fresh, new direction taken with the story may rejuvenate interest in a title; many more will watch a remake once, dislike it, and continue watching the original as if it were never remade.
However, one may wonder why all of the favorites are being remade. It is possible that a remake is a chance at a “rebirth” of a highly-profitable franchise (as in the case of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, which began an entirely new franchise in 2003). In addition, producers and studio executives may see more potential for ticket sales when a familiar title (that had been proven to be a success at the box office) is used; familiarity with the title in itself on the part of the public is free advertising. It can also be that studios are keeping development costs down by re-developing old concepts.
Some would argue that not all remakes are feeble “cash-ins” of classics; John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982) and David Cronenberg’s The Fly (1986) are very inventive with their use of special effects and updated logic. The Thing, in particular, is rather a re-adaptation of a short story than a direct remake of The Thing (1951). Furthermore, if it were not for remakes, there would only be one film version of the Frankenstein story, one Dracula, one Mummy, etc.
Regardless of the reason behind the onslaught of horror remakes, fans will react with a wide range of responses. Arguments on message boards and e-mail groups will persist. In the end, all of it is free publicity for the remake at the heart of the discussion.
