April 30th marked a defining moment in cinematic history, as a revamped Nightmare on Elm Street hit theatres. The past few years have yielded many movie remakes. Some critics agree that remakes lately…don’t match up to the originals.
The original 1981 Clash of the Titans by Desmond Davis grossed $41.1 million in the US- quite a sum for its day. On April 2, 2010, a remake by producer Louis Leterrier hit theatres, garnering poor reviews. This remake was filmed with a whopping $125 million mainly spent on special effects, only to receive poor reception and poorer reviews. Apparently special effects and Greek battle scenes don’t captivate audiences like the original storyline.
Set to be released June 11 is Harald Zwart’s Karate Kid, based on John G. Avildsen’s 1984 version. Zwart’s version features a younger character, of a different race, in a different country, in different situations, somehow following the same story line. The classic was made on a tiny budget and brought in an astonishing $90.8 million in US sales. Winning many awards, it instantly became a classic and has received an “89% fresh” rating at RottenTomatoes.com. The new version was filmed on an ample $35 million, but Mr. Milton doubts Zwart’s cast selection. Twelve year old Jaden Smith plays the new Karate Kid, and Milton believes, “They need to make him a mixed character, not so pure and wholesome. I think 12 is pretty young.”
1984 was also hit with the original Nightmare on Elm Street. Filmed on only $1.8 million, the movie received mixed reviews, but later became a defining film for the horror series. The film captivated audiences, combining traditional elements with surrealism. With 7 sequels, Freddy Krueger slashed through the 80s, landing himself back in theatres April 30th. While fanatics are excited regardless, the movie has received reviews critical of excess special effects and forgettable characters. Junior David Finley thinks that, “It’s just an attempt to make some more revenue off the name.”
These classic movies follow common trends. Each was filmed on a small budget, had unfamiliar actors, and were captivating for their original storylines. The problem with remakes- the story has already been told. Milton believes, “Special effects are like spices when you’re cooking. Use them sparingly.” What makes a movie truly special is its storyline, and originality.
