Reimagining Modern Movie Remakes: 9 Films That Missed the Mark
A closer look at modern movie remakes and the ways in which they failed to capture the magic of their predecessors.
The Meg (2018) vs. Jaws (1975)
The Meg, a modern take on the dangers of sharks, fell short of capturing the power and charm that made Jaws a classic. While Jaws focused on the effect of one shark on a small town, The Meg attempted too much and drowned out any potential heart in the film.
Jason Statham in The Meg.
Steven Spielberg's regret over the impact of Jaws on sharks' public perception highlights the cultural significance of the original, a feat The Meg failed to replicate.
Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) vs. Lady Snowblood (1973)
Kill Bill: Vol 1, though well-choreographed, failed to capture the cultural roots and appreciation of traditional elements that Lady Snowblood embodied. It leaned towards exoticism instead of honoring the samurai culture.
The Bride assumes a warrior's stance while surrounded by members of the lethal Crazy 88 gang in Kill Bill Vol.1
The film's decision to position Asian characters as outsiders and the white woman as the violent 'hero' lacked the depth and cultural significance of the original Lady Snowblood.
Kill Bill Volume 1 Beatrix killing Buck at the hospital
Jurassic World (2015) vs. Jurassic Park (1993)
Jurassic World, in an attempt to capture the magic of Spielberg's original, failed to convey the charismatic cast and honest critique that made Jurassic Park a timeless classic.
Jurassic World Indominus Rex Escape
While Jurassic Park balanced appreciation for dinosaurs with hesitation about their existence, Jurassic World leaned into exploitation and capitalist gain without a meaningful critique, losing the message in the chaos.
Ghost In The Shell (2017) vs. Ghost In The Shell (1995)
The casting of Scarlett Johansson in the lead role of Ghost In The Shell received widespread criticism for whitewashing, failing to honor the distinct Japanese themes and stylization of the original anime.
Scarlett Johansson laying on a bed while machines work on restructuring her body in Ghost in the Shell
The original film drew heavy inspiration from Blade Runner but remained distinctly Japanese, a quality that the modern adaptation failed to preserve, ultimately leading to the film's derision.
Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny (2023) vs. Raiders Of The Lost Arc (1981)
The recent reboot of Indiana Jones failed to recapture the mystery and sense of adventure that made the original films so special, opting to copy the formula of the old films rather than treading new ground.
Indiana Jones riding a horse on Moon Day in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
The opportunity to set the tone for a modern take on the adventures was lost, as the film fell short of creating a hidden world that the audience had never experienced before.
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (2005) vs. Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971)
The 2005 remake of the iconic Willy Wonka failed to live up to Gene Wilder's performance, leaning too heavily into surreal elements and making the charming and mystical aspects downright creepy.
Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp) in the jungle in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Johnny Depp's otherworldly portrayal of Willy Wonka in the remake made it unlikely for any child to find the character endearing, a stark contrast to the original's enchanting depiction.
Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The Fast And The Furious (2001) vs. Point Break (1991)
Despite its massive monetary success, The Fast and the Furious pales in comparison to the film that inspired it, lacking the chemistry, star power, and depth of the original Point Break.
Dom and Brian sitting on a car with their friends in The Fast and the Furious
The shift from surfing and bank robberies to illegal car racing might have been more relevant, but it couldn't compensate for the lack of substance and character development in the modern adaptation.
13 Going On 30 (2004) vs. Big (1988)
While 13 Going On 30 borrowed the child-in-an-adult-body concept from Big, it failed to deliver on the depth and sympathetic story arc that made the original's themes resonate with audiences.
Jennifer Garner dancing on bed in 13 going on 30
Big's focus on realizing the value of childhood and the journey of personal growth was overshadowed by 13 Going On 30's fixation on fixing romantic mistakes, missing the mark on the original's best themes.
Palm Springs (2020) vs. Groundhog Day (1993)
Palm Springs' attempt to redo what Groundhog Day perfected lacked the personal growth and unlikable character arc that made the original a classic, decreasing the stakes of the plot.
Sarah and Nyles by the side of the road in Palm Springs
In contrast to Groundhog Day, Palm Springs' characters shared the time loop, resulting in an inevitable romantic plot and diminishing the original's impactful message of personal growth and introspection.
The Mummy (2017) vs. The Mummy (1999)
Despite Tom Cruise's star power, the 2017 remake of The Mummy failed to capture the gritty and campy charm of the original, deviating from the adventurous and mysterious world that the characters inhabited.
Tom Cruise looking confused in The Mummy
The attempt to read more like an action movie than an adventure robbed the new The Mummy of the genuine and mysterious feel that the classic original established.
