Esteemed filmmaker Tim Burton, acknowledged for his exceptional films, unfortunately stumbled with the 2001 reimagining of ‘Planet of the Apes.’
Despite contemporary makeup and effects, Burton’s redo failed to capture the soul of the original story. The infamous “twist” at the end didn’t make things any better.
The Fog (2005)
The 2005 retelling of ‘The Fog’ featured Tom Welling, recognized from ‘Smallville,’ providing some visual appeal for viewers. However, director Rupert Wainwright’s effort to replicate John Carpenter’s 1980 cult gem missed the mark.
Despite modern effects, the redo lacked the original’s unsettling ambiance.
The Stepford Wives (2004)
The 2004 redo of ‘The Stepford Wives’ fell short when compared to the original. Despite boasting a star-studded cast, including Glenn Close, Christopher Walken, and Nicole Kidman, the film’s overly exaggerated approach missed its target.
While the film had an exceptional cast, the redo ventured too far into exaggerated territory, making it best to avoid.
Fame (2009)
The 2009 redo of ‘Fame’ failed to capture the vitality and rawness of the original 80s film revolving around art students. The excessively refined and diluted redo missed the mark.
Critic Roger Ebert described the redo as a sanitized and dumbed-down version catering to a youth market that deserved superior quality.
Poseidon (2006)
The loud and overwhelming 2006 redo of ‘Poseidon’ failed to recapture the enchantment of the original 1972 disaster film ‘The Poseidon Adventure.’ The CGI effects and casting choices failed to resonate with audiences.
The convoluted plotline and unimpressive CGI effects, coupled with questionable casting choices, made this redo a disappointing choice.
House of Wax (2005)
The 2005 adaptation of ‘House of Wax’ offered a slasher tale aimed at teens based on the original film from 1953. The redo heavily relied on sudden frights and infamously brought in Paris Hilton as a performer.
This redo depended greatly on superficial scares and debatable casting choices, resulting in a forgettable viewing experience.
The Wolfman (2010)
Universal Studios had a strong inclination to reimagine one of their treasured box office hits, without focusing much on the course it was following. As long as it retained the title and some vague connection to the 1941 classic, it appeared to suffice.
“The Wolfman” (2010) turned out to be an unidentifiable mess of a film that not even Anthony Hopkins could rescue.
In “Arthur” (2011), enduring Russell Brand’s grating role was quite a challenge, but witnessing the transformation of the beloved Dudley Moore classic into a cheesy modern film was even worse. Helen Mirren’s involvement in this project remains a puzzle, although it did serve as a platform for Greta Gerwig to kickstart her mainstream career.
“Around The World In 80 Days” (2004) witnessed Steve Coogan and Jackie Chan attempting to infuse humor into a lackluster redo of the original classic. The movie strayed significantly from the allure of the original, resulting in poor box office performance and being unable to propel Coogan towards Hollywood success.
The rehash of “A Nightmare On Elm Street” (2010) with Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy Krueger failed to capture the essence of the original. The tone of the redo felt despondent rather than terrifying, missing the mark with audiences.
In “City Of Angels” (1998), the revival of Wim Wenders’ “Wings Of Desire” with Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan fell short. Despite the hefty Hollywood budget, the film’s attempt at celestial imagery came off as more tacky than heavenly, failing to resonate with viewers.
“The Italian Job” (2003) centered around Mini Coopers and Charlize Theron but lacked the substance of the original masterpiece. Michael Caine’s absence from the production hinted at its flaws and the stalled progression of a potential sequel.
“It’s Alive” (2008) garnered negative feedback even from Larry Cohen, the original film’s creator involved in the redo. The storyline featuring a newborn serial killer came across as absurd and poorly executed. Alamy Stock Photo
Cohen reportedly voiced his strong disapproval of the film, claiming it was exceedingly awful and advising fans to steer clear of the new version. His opinion should not be taken lightly.
Halloween (2007)
The slightly altered Michael Myers mask in the 2007 redo fell short. Rob Zombie morphed John Carpenter’s iconic horror film into a lackluster experience, stripping away the enigma surrounding the infamous antagonist. He introduced an unnecessary backstory, which detracted from the suspense.
Rob Zombie tried to infuse his distinctive style into the film, but failed to elevate its scare factor.
Taxi (2004)
Following her standout performance in “Chicago” as Mama Morton, Queen Latifah’s career took a blow when she assumed the role of the eccentric taxi driver in the American rendition of Taxi. Surprisingly, the original was a series of acclaimed French comedy films directed by Luc Besson.
Even the post-SNL Jimmy Fallon couldn’t salvagethe movie. Despite its commercial success, the film did not manage to impress reviewers.
Get Carter (2000)
Michael Caine’s charisma in the original British crime movie “Get Carter” was unmatched by anyone. Sylvester Stallone also failed to imitate Caine’s performance and instead brought a different level of energy to the remake.
Even though Stallone might appear convincing in action roles, he was unable to grasp the complexity and spirit of Caine’s depiction of a London mobster.
Guess Who (2005)
The original movie “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner” was a revolutionary comedy-drama that delved into important racial issues, featuring iconic actors like Sidney Poitier, Katherine Hepburn, and Spencer Tracy.
The 2005 remake transformed the movie into a standard romantic comedy, steering clear of the significant racial themes it originally tackled.
One Missed Call (2008)
Cellphone-centered horror films generally received positive responses from viewers seeking thrills. Nevertheless, the thrills failed to materialize in this adaptation, based on the 2004 Japanese film “Chakushin Ari,” which stood far above.
Critics and audiences harshly criticized the film, deeming it one of the worst J-horror remakes ever produced. It’s advisable to disregard that call.
Prom Night (2008)
Even though the original with Jamie Lee Curtis might feel outdated, it outshines the remake featuring Brittany Snow. The redevelopment failed to encapsulate the essence of the original 80s scream queen.
Choosing the outdated disco ball and pink dresses from the original would be better than witnessing Brittany Snow in that foreseeable slasher flick. The remake was absolutely unwarranted.
Rollerball (2002)
The effort to enhance this remake with contemporary lighting and the 2000s allure of Chris Klein missed its goal completely. This puzzling and forceful film is best left forgotten.
Perhaps they thought that modernizing it with some contemporary elements and casting Chris Klein would improve it. They were incorrect, and this redevelopment proved to be a letdown.
Straw Dogs (2011)
Rod Lurie’s reimagining of Sam Peckinpah’s 1971 film ‘Straw Dogs’ fell short of replicating the original’s intensity and impact. The added gore provided minimal compensation, and one can only speculate about the discussions behind this disappointing reimagination.
The redo missed its target by stripping away the original’s profundity and opting for a gratuitous approach, which failed to connect with audiences.
Bewitched (2005)
Nora Ephron’s ‘Bewitched’ diverged by incorporating a meta angle and modernizing the classic sitcom. Nonetheless, the overly ambitious script may have strayed too much from the simplicity of the original concept.
While the attempt to update the series was admirable, the complexity of the film’s narrative might have overshadowed the crux of the original show.
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