Due to lack of new and good ideas or because it is an easy way to make money. For whatever reason, it is true that the cinema of recent times, mainly the one made by the great Hollywood machinery, It has been filled with remakes and reboots.
It is clear that, with exceptions, watching a movie in its original version is almost always a much more enriching experience.
Is there nothing like an original version movie?
The list of remakes is endless and it seems that it will never end. There are really sad, true cases of works of art whose new versions ended as absurd chapters within the history of cinema.
Ben-Hur case
The 1959 version Directed by William Wyler and starring Charlton Heston it is not the original, although the best known. As early as 1925, Fred Niblo filmed the first official adaptation of the homonymous novel written by Lewis Wallace at the end of the XNUMXth century.
The film starring Heston is a classic. Winner of 11 Oscars and considered by many to be one of the best in history.
In 2016, Russian director Timur Bekmambetov released a failed remake. In addition to leaving large economic losses, according to most critics, it is one of those tapes where there is nothing redeemable.
The Case Open Your Eyes-Vanilla Sky
Open your eyes by Alejandro Amenábar, it was a shock within Spanish cinema in the distant 1997. Its impact was felt inside and outside the Iberian Peninsula, winning important international awards, such as Best Film at the Tokyo Film Festival.
Tom Cruise liked the movie so much that he commissioned a Made in Hollywood remake directed by Cameron Crowe. Vanilla Sky is the title of this project released in 2001, which in addition to not contributing anything new, is at times boring.
Planet of the Apes
Those who want to see in original version the film adaptation of the novel by Pierre Boulle, have to be moved to 1968. Directed by Franklin J. Shaffer and again starring Charlton Heston, it was a major hit with audiences. So much to give rise to several sequels and even to a series of cartoons.
In 2001 the first remake was released; Directed by Tim Burton, the film generated high expectations. However, it all ended in disappointment. A script full of absurd scenes killed the enthusiasm.
In 2011 the filmmaker Ruppert Wyatt rescued the plot in a reboot celebrated by critics and the general public alike.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
This is one of the most controversial cases within the discussions about whether original version movies are always better than remakes.
From the famous book by Roal Dahl, the "original" installment was released in 1971, directed by Mel Stuart and starring Gene Wilder. Despite being one of the most “recognizable” Hollywood films of all time, its initial collection barely covered production costs.
And 36 years later, Warner Bros decided it was time for Charlie Bucket to visit Willy Wonka's factory again. Tim Burton was announced as director, which raised some doubts after his unsuccessful attempt with Planet of the Apes.
However, the film was a surprising success both at the box office and critics. Many even consider it superior and more book-loving than the 1971 film. The art direction, Danny Elfman's music, and special effects stood out. Also the acting work of Freddie Highmore as little Charlie.
The Psychosis case
Directed by the irreverent Alfred Hitchcock and released in 1960, Psychosis marked a before and after in the history of cinema. The production of the film had to overcome the strict conservative censorship that prevailed in Hollywood in the middle of the 20th century. Also, no one wanted to invest in a movie with a corrupted male lead and where the female star died within XNUMX minutes.
In 1998, Gus Van Sant wanted to pay tribute to Hitchcock, filming a remake exactly the same to the original. It only added color to the photo and some technical improvements. Neither the public nor the critics understood this proposal and the film was quickly ignored.
King Kong arrives
Released in 1933, King Kong It is one of the most important milestones in cinema of all time. He is one of the few characters born from the Seventh Art and not from literature.
The original version, by Merian C. Cooper, it was a significant growth for special effects and expanded the boundaries of filmmaking.
In 2005, Peter Jackson filmed a homage to the original film. His proposal was not very different from what Gus Van Sant and Psychosis. But the result (at least at the public level) was much better.
Disney case and the "Live Action" versions
Another chapter in original version with some controversy. Many of the live-action versions of Disney's animated classics, in addition to being successful, are highly celebrated. But still we prefer to remember these stories only in original version.
The first experiment took place in 1996 with 101 Dalmatians. Directed by Sthepen Herek and with Glen Close as Cruela de Vil.
The fever would begin "officially" in 2010 with Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton. Would follow Oz a world of fantasy by Sam Raimi, Maleficent by Robert Stromberg (2014) and Cinderella by Kenneth Branagh (2015).
In 2016 Jon Favreau led the digital animation to a higher stage, in The Jungle Book. The only "real" thing in the whole movie was the young actor Neel Sethi playing Mowgli.
The last to join this list were Peter and the Dragon by David Lowery Beauty and the Beast by Bill Condon.
Are already Other animated classic titles confirmed to be seen in real action. First Mulan (2018) and Dumbo (2019, with Tim Burton as director). Later, Aladdin (confirmed Guy Ritchie to direct and Will Smith as Genie in the Lamp) and El Rey León (directed by Jon Favreau).
Image sources: Macguffin007 / The Holliwood Reporter