11 Movie Remakes That Failed To Liven Up The Originals
New technological advancements, as well as societal and cultural developments, all contribute to the desire to modernize old films. Remakes function best when they don't just copy the original but add something new to it. Remakes of classic films can improve the details while maintaining the spirit of the original.
However, movie remakes have a tough job. They must not only meet Hollywood's high standards, but they must also live up to a direct comparison: they are frequently cherished, time-tested classics. Every film remake is unavoidably compared to its predecessor. In some cases, the remake is as good as (or even better than) the original. Other times, things go wrong.
Here are 11 remakes of films that fall short of the originals. To be honest, some of them are good, and they will stand out if you don't put them beside the original ones.
#1 Sweet November (1968 vs 2001)
Source: © Sweet November / Warner Bros., © Sweet November / Warner Bros.
#2 Unfaithful (1969 vs 2002)
Source: © Unfaithful / New Regency Productions, © La femme infidèle / Pathfinder Pictures
#3 Anthony Zimmer (2005) vs The Tourist (2010)
Source: © The Tourist / Sony Pictures, © Anthony Zimmer / StudioCanal
The story's inspiration, "Anthony Zimmer," was acclaimed for its believable emotion. The viewer can sense Sophie Marceau and Yvan Attal's attraction, and the ultimate shock is truly mind-blowing.
#4 Insomnia (1997 vs 2002)
Source: © Insomnia / Alcon Entertainment, © Insomnia / Norsk Filminstitutt
Nolan preserved the main events of the original but modified the motivations of the characters and the tone of the picture. The Norwegian version is more violent and melancholy, with the protagonist, Stellan Skarsgard, suffering from the realization of how worthless everything is. However, in Nolan's version, Al Pacino is a detective who investigates a difficult case and acts as if he is a criminal himself.
#5 The Shop Around the Corner (1940) vs You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Source: © You've Got Mail / Warner Bros., © The Shop Around the Corner / MGM
#6 The Shaggy Dog (1959 vs 2006)
Source: © The Shaggy Dog / Mandeville Films, © The Shaggy Dog / The Walt Disney Studios
In the original film, the man wears a mystical ring and transforms into an Old English Sheepdog. In the 1950s, the film was a box office smash.
#7 Eight Below (1983 vs 2006)
Source: © Eight Below / Mandeville Films, © Nankyoku monogatari / Fuji Television Network
The story is, by the way, based on a compelling story about a Japanese expedition. Only two of the 15 huskie dogs abandoned at an Antarctica station survived.
#8 Sleuth (1972 vs 2007)
Source: © Sleuth / Sony Pictures Classics, © Sleuth / 20th Century Studios
The incredible talks between the characters dominate the film and eclipse everything else. It may even surprise those who have seen the 1972 version. Michael Caine played the lover in the original film, so he's been on both sides.
#9 The Woman in Black (1989 vs 2012)
Source: © The Woman in Black / CBS Films, © The Woman in Black / Central Films
Adrian Rawlins played the lead character in the original film. In the new film, however, the same role is played by Daniel Radcliffe.
#10 The Mummy (1932 vs 1999)
Source: © The Mummy / Universal Pictures, © The Mummy / Universal Pictures
#11 The Italian Job (1969 vs 2003)
Source: © The Italian Job / Paramount Pictures, © The Italian Job / Paramount Pictures
The same thing happened to the protagonist of the original 1969 picture, which is ranked among the top 100 British films of all time. However, the original film had fewer characters and less complex connections amongst them.