Remakes of classic John Carpenter films.

[Crabman32]

I just had to start this new thread today because I learnt about 2 hours ago that Gerard Butler is in talks to play Snake Plisskin in a remake of classic 80's sci-fi 'Escape from New York'. This for me is wrong on all sorts of levels and I'll try to explain why.

I am getting sick and tired of Hollywood remaking some of my most cherished films, especially John Carpenter films. Last year we had the remake of 'The Fog'. It sucked. Big time. What a surprise.

Rob Zombie is currently shooting his remake of 'Halloween' (my favourite horror film of all time) which will no doubt suck just as much if the script that was leaked online some time ago is anything to go by.

Next in the pre-production pipeline is a remake of 'The Thing' (my favourite FILM of all time) and I cant even imagine the hideously bad CGI overhaul that will get. Wrong.

And now we have word of a remake of 'Escape from New York'. Another cherished film. Why do they keep insisting on remaking already classic Carpenter films. Obviously for the money, I know that that. I'm sure there are hundreds of original screenplays out there that would make great films but Hollywood likes to play it safe it seems.

"If you dont like it just dont go and see them" some of you will probably say. Well, your right, I wont. But I feel sorry for future generations who will probably seek out the 'newer' version because the original is "too old". you know what kids are like. Instead of remaking these films why not give them a full restoration, new digital soundtracks and re-release them in the cinemas. Yeah, I know, because 'the kids' wont go and see them unless they were made last week and have Paul Walker playing Snake Plissken.

Rant over. Let me know what you all think though.

[Garrett]

Originally Posted by Crabman32

Next in the pre-production pipeline is a remake of 'The Thing'

Dont forget John Carpenter film was a remake.

[Crabman32]

Originally Posted by Garrett

Dont forget John Carpenter film was a remake.

Yeah, I knew someone would point that out. And fair enough but Bill Lancaster based his screenplay more closely on John W Campbell's original short story 'Who goes there?" rather than the 1951 version 'The Thing from Another World' which isn't a particularly good film IMO. I have no problem with remakes of films that were originally not very good. Oceans 11 for instance. Original sucked, the remake was great. No problam with that. I'm just letting off steam as a life long Carpenter fan and the remakes mentioned in my original post are as close to perfect films as you can get. Ok, maybe not The Fog but you get my point. You cant improve those films so why bother?

[Bokononist]

Originally Posted by Crabman32

Instead of remaking these films why not give them a full restoration, new digital soundtracks and re-release them in the cinemas. Yeah, I know, because 'the kids' wont go and see them unless they were made last week and have Paul Walker playing Snake Plissken.

Rant over. Let me know what you all think though.

Its a no win - no win situation.

A remake will do no one any favours unless it's top notch, even then people will still tend toward the original. A tart up will do no favours, with the old school still complaining that Greedo shot first

Hollywood has to start coming up with some good ideas again, not treating it's old catalogue as the cash cow it has the potential to be. Don't hold your breath.

KH

[Ulysses]

Why fix what's not broken?

Horror movies are shot in such away that slowly build tension, an empty road, a house, a corridor, a face! These days no-one understands what tension means, they come out all rushed with no thought what so ever, A v P is a good example.

Horror directing is old school film making and not many young people want to sit through 2 hours of slow paced craftsmanship, so we get fast paced action gore instead, ala Resident Evil.

[Crabman32]

I have actually got a better idea regarding the 'Escape From New York' reamke. Why not 're-imagine' it (another Hollywood staple). Yeah, it could be great. How about making a film called 'Escape from York' where the anti-hero, Smokey Plastic, has 24 hours to get out of York desperately trying to avoid hordes of OAPs and tourists while blowing up historically important buildings and souvenir shops. Just a thought.

[raigraphixs]

Seems like any good movies and original ideas are done by foreign directors.

There is always a audience for remakes, no 15-18yr now is likely to watch any classic old movie now, only the hype of a new movie like The Thing, Warriors (scott remake), The Fog, Assault on Precinct 13, the originals seem to get a re-release and therefore finds a newer audience.

[Crabman32]

Originally Posted by raigraphixs

Seems like any good movies and original ideas are done by foreign directors.

There is always a audience for remakes, no 15-18yr now is likely to watch any classic old movie now, only the hype of a new movie like The Thing, Warriors (scott remake), The Fog, Assault on Precinct 13, the originals seem to get a re-release and therefore finds a newer audience.

Hey, I forgot about the remake of 'Assault on Precinct 13'. That sucked too.

[PAH]

Didn't Carpenter himself remake "Escape from New York" with "Escape from LA"? The first one is still the best.

I agree with the general sentiment that many remakes are poorer for it and show just how good the original was/is.

They should just accept that some classic films are classed as such because of the era they were made in and the atmosphere and general vibe they give off because of it. Off the top of my head I can't imagine any of these being remade any better: Zulu, Wizard of Oz, Greece, Jaws, Star Wars, the Sergio spaghetti westerns

Maybe we should start a list of films that they're banned from messing with as they simply can't be bettered! Many of John Carpenter's would be on the list. Alongside Spielberg he's one of my favourite directors of the last 30 odd years. Tarantino would be too if he got off his arse and made more movies.

[surfprof]

What bugs me is that the studios have obviously realised that the Carpenter films are hugely popular with audiences. Why then do they not just offer him the opportunity to make some new, original projects, or even let him do any sequel?

I remember him saying a while back that he had a great story for a sequel to The Thing and Kurt Russel was definitely up for it, but the studio money just wasn't there.

Who the hell wants to see Gerard Butler as Snake Plisken?

At least there's a new Carpenter film due next year (Psychopath), though I worry that this tied too closely to the game.

[Bokononist]

Originally Posted by surfprof

Why then do they not just offer him the opportunity to make some new, original projects, or even let him do any sequel?

Carpenter's can be a good director in my own eyes, right up from Dark Star. However as far as the movie moguls go he has had his bad patches financially.

StarMan, Big Trouble in Little China, They Live etc... Let's face it guys when he's hot he's hot but he does have a knack for blowing it.

Lack of financial consistency probable means he doesn't get as many money offers as he should !

KH

[Crabman32]

As the title of the thread suggests, I dont have a problem with studios remaking some of Carpenters lesser works. Why not if you can improve on them. They Live, although a good film, is ripe for a modern makeover and could be improved upon. In The Mouth of Madness is a decent enough yarn but again could be improved upon. I just dont understand why they keep remaking his masterpieces which would be nigh on impossible to improve upon.

[Crabman32]

I love this site but I feel that the majority of posters are just a bunch of self satisfied *******. Lame beyond belief. Garrett, sorry mate but there is only so much ******** I can take. Crabman out.

[pRot3us]

[Nebby]

Really don't see what the problem is with re-makes.

OK - so today's crop of Hollywood movers and shakers seem to show a real lack of imagination. And I guess it's disappointing to see the likes of Rob Zombie cut loose on Halloween.

But no remake of The Thing, Halloween, or Escape from New York - no matter how tardy - is ever going to diminish my affections for the originals.

And as Garrett posted earlier; two of Carpenter's very best - The Thing and Assault on Precinct 13 - were inspired by previous works.

What's important is that Carpenter took something that was already there, worked with it, and created something new. Who knows, maybe by re-working some of his works, a new talent will emerge. That's surely a good thing?