Is it normal to feel worried about movie remakes?

22 Comments

I heard earlier today that the Korean film Oldboy is now due to be remade with English-speaking actors and directed by Spike Lee. No offence to Spike Lee but how can he possibly hope to make a film comparable to the original? It's just not in his DNA, or the DNA of any director born in the west.

It is difficult to describe the beauty of the cinematography to those who haven't seen it. To me, it was like walking into a huge cathedral; my jaw dropped in wonderment. It is a film with so much detail weaved into every shot, it's difficult to process it all. Some people speak of films that need to be seen twice. This needs to be seen ten times. The acting is wonderful and the key plot twist drew gasps in the cinema as people worked it out during a pivotal scene. It was like being shot. There was genuine shock amongst us all.

I am fiercely protective of this masterpiece and it bothers me that people will watch the remake instead of the original. Also that people might find the original via the remake, but - having already seen the remake and knowing the plot - will never experience the enjoyment I got from the combination of something so dark, so twisted, and yet also so brilliantly and utterly beautiful to look at.

I have a huge aversion to this remake and feel that rather than being an homage to a masterpiece, it will be a cheap knock-off that will only be to the detriment of the original.

Is it normal to feel so strongly about a piece of cinema? I feel as strongly as if the Mona Lisa were to be replaced by a Disney version of the original.

Yes 22
No 12
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Comments ( 22 )
  • Terence_the_viking
    11 years ago

    yes it is because it was so great back in the day they try to emulate that success again but then it's remembered as a crap modernised shit film for a new generation.

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  • NoraBaker
    11 years ago

    My heart sunk when I started reading and scanned the words Oldboy, Korean, remake, Spike Lee. I nurture very similar feelings for this work of art. For me, it's one of the untouchables, I must say. As was the Spanish Abre Los Ojos that became Vanilla Sky. I'm here to lend my support or something to that effect. Yes, very normal to feel that way. In my world. Some things are sacred.

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    • dappled
      11 years ago

      It's been on the cards for a couple of years but I kept hoping the deal would fall through or someone would realise that they're desecrating a masterpiece just to line their own pockets. Alas no, they've pulled their trousers down and they're preparing to defecate all over it.

      It makes no difference to my enjoyment. I'll always love it. But they're going to ruin it for others. It's unforgivable. I am angry on the behalf of everyone who hasn't seen it.

      P.S. I couldn't and didn't watch Vanilla Sky, but if they remake Lola or the Princess and the Warrior, I'm going to punch someone. Hard.

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      • NoraBaker
        11 years ago

        Heh. It's you?! I did wonder very curiously indeed who I was lending my support to, but of all people I could think of, I did not think you! I thought Ono, flutterhigh, but they haven't been seen in so long... Ha! You. :D

        Sorry about the "dealing with the surprise" moment, it's just the post in itself had already touched me when it was just me, the post and Oldboy, projected in a cathedral, watched from the pews. That's the imagery I got from it.

        I feel the same as you, I don't know if anger is the word, though. They'll steal from people the possibility of ever seeing such masterpiece and it being unique as it still is. NO ONE, NO ONE WILL EVER BE AS GOOD AS HE IS. It seriously doesn't make sense, now I'm starting to get really angry, because the thought of that man acting in a language I understand nothing of and feeling EVERYTHING he feels gives me the chills, literally. And he is so beautiful to look at, not in a sexual way, though sexy. He is a moving picture, a painting come to life. I'm not sure, maybe I'm exaggerating. It's my remembrance of it, however far, it's been a couple years since I last saw it.

        *sigh*

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        • dappled
          11 years ago

          Yes, it's me. :) I don't want to sound histrionic about it but I'm feeling a sense of impending tragedy. All they can do is to take away from this film. I feel very protective. Masterpieces should be revered not sullied.

          When I watched it, it seemed hyper-real. It didn't seem possible that it was "just" a film. It still doesn't seem possible that this was written, plotted, and acted by normal people with normal lives. Dae-su fills the screen in every frame he's in. It's a performance on a scale most actors simply aren't capable of in a lifetime. But Woo-jin is almost as good. You expect malevolence, ire, and anger, but overlaid so heavily over all of it is pain. You actually feel sorry for him, sorry for them both.

          I know I'm going to want to watch it again very soon and I wonder how I'm going to feel about it now, knowing what they are about to do.

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  • AssBurgers
    11 years ago

    Haven't seen Old Boy yet, but I've got it downloaded on my laptop and having read the reviews for it; I did think news of a Spike Lee remake would go down like a lead balloon.

    I'm pretty worried about this 'modern Scarface' I keep hearing about, unless Tarantino is doing it, I don't want it to happen.

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  • Ihadtomakeyetanotheraccountffs
    11 years ago

    For the most part, remakes can go in the bin.

    I still haven't seen the remake of Let the Right One In, and I don't really care to either.

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    • AssBurgers
      11 years ago

      I was worried about that at first, but Let Me In did turn out to be good.

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    • dappled
      11 years ago

      I forgot they'd remade that. The original is one of the few vampire films that I really like. I could never watch a remake.

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  • bananaface
    11 years ago

    I think it's normal. No remakes (which shouldn't be made) are springing to mind at the moment, although I'm certain I've felt this way about a remake before. Hmm, can't remember it at the moment. I feel this way about a book which is special to me which is being turned into a film (again). Not exactly the same, but I can understand the feeling. Some things should just be left alone!

    If it makes any difference, I will now make sure I watch the original before the remake:P. I've never heard of the film but I want to watch it now, you make it sound pretty great.

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    • dappled
      11 years ago

      There's some quite strong stuff in there and it's not for everyone but the way it is shot and put together is just a feast for the eyes. It got inside me and it kind of lives in there now. I'd never seen anything quite like it.

      It's part of a vengeance trilogy and the third film, "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" is perhaps even more beautiful, but Oldboy just has something utterly compelling about it.

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  • Imsupernormal
    11 years ago

    I've never heard of that movie.

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    • dappled
      11 years ago

      It's a wonderful, wonderful film just to look at, although it has some dark themes so it's not for everyone. If you're only used to Hollywood, you should treat yourself to this and see what is possible with film.

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  • [Old Memory]
    11 years ago

    I can relate. To this day I'm still angered by the Windwaker and how far of a departure it was from Ocarina of Time.

    Et tu Nintendo?

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    • Terence_the_viking
      11 years ago

      windwaker is not a remake you silly banana

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  • Imposturously_yours
    11 years ago

    The only genre I can accept remakes is wuxia/kung fu. First of all -they're still made by the same place, by school of actors/directors. And also - with all due respect to the legends -sometimes the newcomers do it better. I'll still like and watch both , but not bash it as passionately as I bash the hollywood shit.

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    • dappled
      11 years ago

      True. I'd agree with that. At the risk of disturbing you, though, the rumour keeps circulating that Sam Raimi is going to do a Hollywood remake of House of Flying Daggers.

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      • Imposturously_yours
        11 years ago

        Oh, man.. I feel like I was just stabbed by a flying dagger.

        I respect the "evil dead", but if this doesn't fall through -somebody needs to take Sam Raimi out.

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  • NotStrangeBird
    11 years ago

    I feel the same way a new batman movie comes out...and I fucking hate batman!!!

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    • Ihadtomakeyetanotheraccountffs
      11 years ago

      Really? I feel Nolan's trilogy portrays Batman's character far better than attempts by any other director.

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      • NotStrangeBird
        11 years ago

        Thanks, but I'll skip on all the super-hero genre CGI jerk-off festivals. Not my cup of tea, I don't care about the artistic intent of the director.

        Besides, when someone in the movie gets punched by Batman, there's no giant "POW" or "ZAP" popping up on the screen.

        Honestly, I'd rather watch a documentary on candlemaking or something.

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        • Ihadtomakeyetanotheraccountffs
          11 years ago

          I assure you the Batman trilogy is leagues apart from any of the other super-hero movies, both in the story and acting. But since you don't care about the artistic intent of the director, I guess you don't watch any movies at all?

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