Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
While reading reviews for movies that are remakes or reboots, one thing I have noticed is that people that really like the new version often say it is "better" simply because the original was released when they were a small child, or possibly before they were born, and because the new version is newer that automatically makes it "more serious and better" than the original. Why do some people seem to think that just because a movie is newer that it is automatically better than the original?
#2
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
I've never heard any one say that...ever.
#3
Moderator
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
#4
Suspended
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
Cause they are, I mean the new Evil Dead and RoboCop are way better than the originals.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
Sorry for being unclear. What I meant was that some people have stated that because the original movie came out when they were young, that automatically, in their mind, made the original movie "silly" or "childish" which meant that the remake/reboot was "more mature," "serious" and "better" by default.
#7
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
Sorry for being unclear. What I meant was that some people have stated that because the original movie came out when they were young, that automatically, in their mind, made the original movie "silly" or "childish" which meant that the remake/reboot was "more mature," "serious" and "better" by default.
Answer: you'll have to ask them.
#8
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Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
This. Most people tend to have nostalgia for their childhood and therefore tend to think things from their chidlhood are better than newer things.
#9
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
#10
DVD Talk Legend
#11
#12
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
He had it coming. Or maybe I should bump a completely unrelated thread from 2002 to emphasize how much so.
Last edited by GoldenJCJ; 05-07-14 at 12:32 PM.
#13
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
#14
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
The last time a remake was better than the original was probably in the 1980's. Back when remakes weren't such an out and out cash grab. It used to be that remakes were only made when the filmmakers had something fresh or original to put on screen. Such is no longer the case. Nowadays remakes are purposely more like the original, because its blatantly about branding and not filmmaking.
#15
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
I think sometimes remakes suffer from the idea that most people think the original is better by default.
But if there is a reason a newer film would win out, I'm thinking it's either technological advancements or the cast.
Example: Ocean's 11. I don't think either version is vastly superior to the other, so it really comes down to would you rather watch: Clooney and Pitt, or the rat pack? I'd put The Italian Job in this category as well, as they remade a film for a modern audience.
Or how about something like King Kong, shot in Black & White, Full Frame, with stop motion animation as opposed to Peter Jackson's fully color, widescreen CGI remake? Sure, the original is superior in it's pace, and gets the job done with amazing effects for 1933, I could see a modern audience enjoying Jackson's epic a bit more.
But if there is a reason a newer film would win out, I'm thinking it's either technological advancements or the cast.
Example: Ocean's 11. I don't think either version is vastly superior to the other, so it really comes down to would you rather watch: Clooney and Pitt, or the rat pack? I'd put The Italian Job in this category as well, as they remade a film for a modern audience.
Or how about something like King Kong, shot in Black & White, Full Frame, with stop motion animation as opposed to Peter Jackson's fully color, widescreen CGI remake? Sure, the original is superior in it's pace, and gets the job done with amazing effects for 1933, I could see a modern audience enjoying Jackson's epic a bit more.
#16
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
I have a feeling I know which "some people" the OP has in mind. And a recent movie reboot, that perhaps rhymes with "Shman of Shmeel"?
#17
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
#18
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
While reading reviews for movies that are remakes or reboots, one thing I have noticed is that people that really like the new version often say it is "better" simply because the original was released when they were a small child, or possibly before they were born, and because the new version is newer that automatically makes it "more serious and better" than the original. Why do some people seem to think that just because a movie is newer that it is automatically better than the original?
#19
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
The only remake which automatically comes to my mind that I would consider to be better than the original is (John Carpenter's) The Thing. Most remakes IMHO are pale imitations of the original film. I can't see but a very small percentage of the people aged 21 & over thinking otherwise. Kiddies might, but that's only because most of the time they have no idea the original even existed and would probably laugh at the antiquated effects.
Now, if you changed the word "people" in your thread topic title to "kids", I might agree with you.
Now, if you changed the word "people" in your thread topic title to "kids", I might agree with you.
#20
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
Serious answer is that people often look at older films as dated (style, effects, quality of the picture, etc.) and see new shinier looking films as preferable.
#21
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
To me these films (along with The Thing) stand strong on their own because they only use the basic premise of the originals.
The filmmakers added some fresh ideas to it instead of just retelling the same old story.
David Cronenberg's The Fly
Philip Kaufman's Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Werner Herzog's Nosferatu
William Friedkin's Sorcerer
#22
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Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
yeah I agree with that! But it kind of depends on how the old version was...if you try to make a remake of a movie that has become legendary...you'll propably mess up
#23
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
You could counter this question with the opposite. Why do some people immediately assume that a remake will be terrible? Granted there are some movies that are deemed somewhat "untouchable" and shouldn't be remade but there have been quite a few that I've enjoyed more than or on close to the same level as the original film. Robocop actually comes to mind for me recently. The new film actually wasn't that bad and can stand on it's own and in my mind actually expanded on some things I always wished the original film would have touched on. Not to say it's a better film than the original, but it is one that I think once more people give it a shot will realize that it's really not so terrible.
#24
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Why do some people think that remakes are better simply because they are new?
While reading reviews for movies that are remakes or reboots, one thing I have noticed is that people that really like the new version often say it is "better" simply because the original was released when they were a small child, or possibly before they were born, and because the new version is newer that automatically makes it "more serious and better" than the original. Why do some people seem to think that just because a movie is newer that it is automatically better than the original?
Sorry for being unclear. What I meant was that some people have stated that because the original movie came out when they were young, that automatically, in their mind, made the original movie "silly" or "childish" which meant that the remake/reboot was "more mature," "serious" and "better" by default.