Movies that should be remade

[serracollector]

I do not know the average age of users on here so this is based on my childhood memories of movies I seen as a child. For a little background I am american and 31 years old. I have a 9 year old daughter and I have been strolling down memory lane finding movies for her that were memborable for me. As we watched these movies I started thinking of how amazing some of them would be if remade with todays amazing graphics.  This is my List thus far and would love to read all.your thoughts and opinions.

Gremlins or gremlins 3
Goonies
The Labrynth with David Bowie
The Dark Crystal
Jurassic Park preferably with James Cameron Avatar efx
Speed Racer as is in 3D!
Astroboy in 3D
Mary Poppins NOT Nanny McPhee
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Chitty Chitty Bangbang
Masters Of the Universe
Legend with Tom Cruise
Mario Brothers
Hook
Jumanji
Casper
Ghostbusters

And that's it for now. Tell me what you think and by all means let me know what you would love to see with new graphics.

[Twiedel]

Hey,

I feel this might get away from your intention, but I ought to step in here: I have seen almost all the movies on your list, some of them pretty often, and altough I must admit that sometimes effects are poor on those, I wouldn't take away that "flair of classic" that surrounds them by remaking. I mean come one: The Dark Crystal is so fascinating BECAUSE they are actually Frank Oz's puppets! And a Hook remake without the insanely great Dustin Hoffman? I can't even imagine!!
"Don't ever frighten my like that again." "What are you, some kind of sadist?"

Maybe it's just me, but I can't ever stand a remake unless I didn't know the original or I really didn't like it...

[Norm4eva]

Did George Lucas teach us nothing?

[Klep]

The Dark Crystal endures because of the puppets and because of David Bowie.  I can't think of anyone else who could deliver his alien charisma, and he's getting a little long in the tooth to reprise the role.

As far as Speed Racer in 3D goes, there may be a few shots in it that 3D could make look pretty cool, but I find that most of the time 3D should be reserved for films that are designed with it in mind.

I think the movies most ripe for being remade are ones in which the technology of the time prevented the director from realizing his vision.  One that comes to mind in particular is Hitchcock's The Birds, which is known for having very unconvincing effects.  A shot-for-shot remake of that movie with updated effects shots might be interesting to watch.

[wiley]

I think the movies most ripe for being remade are ones in which the technology of the time prevented the director from realizing his vision.  One that comes to mind in particular is Hitchcock's The Birds, which is known for having very unconvincing effects.  A shot-for-shot remake of that movie with updated effects shots might be interesting to watch.

So long as it doesn't turn out to be like robot chicken's satire of jaws I'm all for it. 

From the original list I think the only one of those movies I would give the time of day to if I saw it was being remade would be Masters of the Universe, and maybe chitty chity bang bang (but I see that in the same light as flubber).

Most of the rest on that list were done right the first time, especially the Jim Hensen films.  There is no current actor to play a better goblin king for labyrinth and the dark crystal just wouldn't translate well to modern technology.

The ones that weren't done right the first time aren't really worth revisiting.  Even if you add better effects to Casper it still isn't going to be good, I mean look at scooby doo.

[Thecheese]

Masters of the universe would be a great remake. Maybe with The Rock as he man

[serracollector]

Honestly I am not too surprised at the results.  I too am a firm lover of the works of Jim Henson, and think they were, and always will be a classic as is.  My daughter wanted me to throw them on the list more than anything lol.

I would REALLY like to see Legend, and Masters of the Universe more than any others.  Legend I think was actually done very well considering the lack of graphic capabilities at the time, and I think that it could be remade to be quite amazing now. 

As for Speed Racer, have you seen it recently?  That movie SCREAMS 3-D.  I think it would be absolutely amazing with it.

[Smmenen]

Did George Lucas teach us nothing?

The idea of remakes is actually a great one that is too often dismissed.   Ritual theater, like Shakespeare, invites multiple retellings with different shadings and elements emphasized.  I'm all for remakes. 

I'd love to see remakes of the original Star Wars trilogy, frankly. 

Just as I don't get sick of new versions of Hamlet or Richard II. 

La Boheme was remade into Rent.  Madam Butterfly was remade into Miss Saigon. 

I'd like to see a remake of lots of classic films.

[InfectedMushroom]

Masters of the Universe has been in the works for a while. They are still searching for a director I believe.

[Prospero]

I would love to see Being There remade, but don't know who could capture Peter Sellers' Chauncey Gardner.  It's a random movie that few have seen, and it's one of my favorites.

[RitNecroWin]

I would REALLY like to see Legend, and Masters of the Universe more than any others.  Legend I think was actually done very well considering the lack of graphic capabilities at the time, and I think that it could be remade to be quite amazing now. 

Legend is one of my all time favorite films... I have to disagree STRONGLY on the grounds of a remake...

Bottin's makeup in that movie is groundbreaking and really ahead of it's time (1985)... Tim Curry as Darkness ... just genius casting...acted to perfection. Meg Muckbones and all of the elves, goblins, dwarves.... they looked as good as anything Weta did digitally -if not better!

Personally, I think the biggest issue with the film is Ridley's Scott's struggle with the distributer...the studio chopped up his version of the film (removing almost an hour of relevant film!), removed the classical score and added Tangerine Dream.


Thankfully, the Ultimate Edition DVD and the Blu Ray release both have Scott's original cuts of the film... it is vastly superior and I'd be shocked if after viewing this version you'd feel a remake was in order.

[wiley]

There have been remakes of films that have improved on the originals, such as Carpenter's version of the Thing and the remake of Little Shop of Horrors.  Both were old films that were redone masterfully.

If I would make a short list of films to remake it would probably include;
City Lights
Frankenstein (as a drama, not an action flick)
Metropolis
Modern Times (though this would probably be scrubbed of the communist stuff the premise in general is still very sound)
Seven Samurai (adding in a striking color pallet would add a lot to an already awesome film)


On the flip side there are some movies were if you want a remake you have to change the story completely, making it in the same universe, with mostly the same characters but a completely different movie.  An example is Judge Dredd, something so far removed from the original film but still in the same setting that you can appreciate them as different films and not "just a remake".

Then there is the spinoff type of movie like the upcoming Maleficent, where you expand on a universe and maybe a known character.  These types of movies I love.  It is this type of movie that I hope disney does with the star wars franchise.  I would totally pay to see a movie shadowing IG-88 or a similar bounty hunter.

[MaximumCDawg]

Of the movies listed in the opening post, Labyrinth and Dark Crystal absolutely should NOT be remade.  Not in the Lucas sense, anyway.  These movies are not famous because of their stirring plot or amazingly interesting characters.  It's more about the puppeteer and the personality of the actors.  Remaking it with CGI would yield something without any of the charm of the original. Sequels?  Prequels?  Sure, but if you want to keep the charm of the original, eschew the CGI in favor of some updated puppet work.

I'm on board with Steve's point about re-imaginings of most normal films, though.  The two best examples of this are superhero movies, which update a character's origin story about every four movies.  The Nolan trilogy was a good re-telling of the general concepts of the Burton movies, but vastly superior for an older audience.  I mean, Nicholson was a good joker... until we saw Ledger.  Another great example of this is the Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy.  The story is largely different in the radio show, versus the book, versus the TV miniseries, versus the motion picture.  And they all work in their own way.  It's a re-mixing of elements that gives rise to new art.

But let's limit it to movies driven by story or characters, and not personalities and puppets, ok?

[Norm4eva]

Did George Lucas teach us nothing?

The idea of remakes is actually a great one that is too often dismissed.   Ritual theater, like Shakespeare, invites multiple retellings with different shadings and elements emphasized.  I'm all for remakes. 

I'd love to see remakes of the original Star Wars trilogy, frankly. 

Just as I don't get sick of new versions of Hamlet or Richard II. 

La Boheme was remade into Rent.  Madam Butterfly was remade into Miss Saigon. 

I'd like to see a remake of lots of classic films.

Well, the OP used the word 'remake' but the impression I got after twice reading "who wants to see these movies with modern graphics" was not that he actually wanted reboots or modern adaptations -- just the same movies with new CGI. Which is typically pretty bleh.
I will say that the Star Trek: TOS touch-ups are typically pretty tastefully done IMHO, because they pay homage to a lot of the old shots and you don't really have a lot of "Max Rebo Band" moments, if any.
If he's looking for someone to actually reshoot the films with new actors/scripts/etc... eh, yeah sure, I'll try anything twice.

[Bill Copes]

I wish it were possible for Stanley Kubrick or Oliver Stone to recreate one of these:

Maltese Falcon
Citizen Cane
North by Northwest
The Bridge on the River Kwai
Lawrence of Arabia

[Klep]

Seven Samurai (adding in a striking color pallet would add a lot to an already awesome film)

You mean The Magnificent Seven?

Citizen Kane

Blasphemy! That movie is basically perfect as-is.

[wiley]

Seven Samurai (adding in a striking color pallet would add a lot to an already awesome film)

You mean The Magnificent Seven?

No, as the Magnificent Seven was simply a remake with color (but still very much worth watching).  I'm talking of adding a striking color pallet like sin city or maybe sucker punch, something that uses the color to amplify the mood in the film.

[TheWhiteDragon]

I think almost all of the movies mentioned should remain as is (and Being There is awesome btw).  I do however wish they'd remake Debbie Does Dallas.  The "enhancements" that they have nowadays would certainly add to the effect of that classic movie.

[wiley]

I think almost all of the movies mentioned should remain as is (and Being There is awesome btw).  I do however wish they'd remake Debbie Does Dallas.  The "enhancements" that they have nowadays would certainly add to the effect of that classic movie.

In 2006, VCX employed Media Blasters to digitally re-master the movie from the original 35mm film into a "Definitive Collectors Edition" 2-Disc set on DVD.
On April 11, 2007, Vivid Entertainment Group began including the original Debbie Does Dallas with a new release titled Debbie Does Dallas ... Again in DVD, Blu-ray, and HD DVD formats. It has also been remade with contemporary porn stars.

[Smmenen]

Seven Samurai (adding in a striking color pallet would add a lot to an already awesome film)

You mean The Magnificent Seven?

Citizen Kane

Blasphemy! That movie is basically perfect as-is.

I would like to see Citizen Kane remade as well

[TheWhiteDragon]

I think almost all of the movies mentioned should remain as is (and Being There is awesome btw).  I do however wish they'd remake Debbie Does Dallas.  The "enhancements" that they have nowadays would certainly add to the effect of that classic movie.

In 2006, VCX employed Media Blasters to digitally re-master the movie from the original 35mm film into a "Definitive Collectors Edition" 2-Disc set on DVD.
On April 11, 2007, Vivid Entertainment Group began including the original Debbie Does Dallas with a new release titled Debbie Does Dallas ... Again in DVD, Blu-ray, and HD DVD formats. It has also been remade with contemporary porn stars.

FTW

[cvarosky80]

I for one would love to see "1984" be remade, with John Hurt playing the role of O'Brien. I had read several times that Ron Howard was interested in remaking this, but yet, it has not come to pass. It's one of those timeless cautionary tales that gets referenced so much, but, I am certain that many of the younger generations are totally unaware that Big Brother is not just the name of a bad reality T.V. series.

[Prospero]

I for one would love to see "1984" be remade, with John Hurt playing the role of O'Brien. I had read several times that Ron Howard was interested in remaking this, but yet, it has not come to pass. It's one of those timeless cautionary tales that gets referenced so much, but, I am certain that many of the younger generations are totally unaware that Big Brother is not just the name of a bad reality T.V. series.

This.

[Meddling Mike]

I think the movies I would like to see remade most are the ones that had excellent source material, but the execution by the actors/studio/directors was poor to the point where it was not enjoyable. I thought the Ender's Game movie was seriously deficient in some areas. The whole thing felt rushed. I asked my wife to guess how long Ender was in battle school for and she told me "a week or two" and development of any of the supporting characters was completely ignored. The Last Airbender really managed to screw up some excellent source material. I always felt like The Punisher would be an excellent film if done correctly, but they've never quite gotten it right. I think taking the MAX label Punisher as written by Garth Ennis would be a much better source material than the mainstream Marvel Punisher. The closest I think they have come to that was the short Dirty Laundry. I also felt like the movie Dredd had the right idea of how to present the Punisher.

[JPoJohnson]

Speaking of remakes, do I understand correctly that the whole Evil Dead series is being remade through the third?

[Klep]

I always felt like The Punisher would be an excellent film if done correctly, but they've never quite gotten it right. I think taking the MAX label Punisher as written by Garth Ennis would be a much better source material than the mainstream Marvel Punisher. The closest I think they have come to that was the short Dirty Laundry. I also felt like the movie Dredd had the right idea of how to present the Punisher.

Personally, I felt that Punisher:War Zone got The Punisher exactly right.

[Bill Copes]

Citizen Kane

Blasphemy! That movie is basically perfect as-is.

So were Straw Dogs, King Kong, Arthur, The Manchurian Candidate, and a fucking billion other movies.  We're talking about movies we want to see remade.  I'd like to see the "most profound cinematic classic of all time," recreated through a different director's lens.  It would be interesting.

[JarofFortune]

I would like it if they remade Gettysburg. That was one of the best movies I have ever seen. However, they would have to make it a large budget blockbuster, at least three hours long. If they could nail the magnificence, glory, and beauty of the original, it would be the perfect movie. I feel like there aren't enough movies on the Civil War Genre, which really is a shame.

[Soly]

I'm going to go ahead and say Demolition Man.   

[Meddling Mike]

I always felt like The Punisher would be an excellent film if done correctly, but they've never quite gotten it right. I think taking the MAX label Punisher as written by Garth Ennis would be a much better source material than the mainstream Marvel Punisher. The closest I think they have come to that was the short Dirty Laundry. I also felt like the movie Dredd had the right idea of how to present the Punisher.

Personally, I felt that Punisher:War Zone got The Punisher exactly right.

It was the closest they've come, but I still felt that it was off the mark. I think it's really tough to get the Punisher right. You need to capture the casual brutality of the character and his world, but at the same time it can't be just senseless violence. You can't have too much dialogue. Frank Castle is a man of few words. He's direct and to the point. He's an unshakable, joyless, rock of a man. That can be tough to work with as a main character.