why remake a film?

Question

Poseidon, Wicker Man - Revenge of the Nerds!!! what's the point? someone please tell me I genuinely don't understand

Answer 1

to make money

Answer 2

Two reasons:

a) to make money from the success of the previous film
b) to make money by changing the idea slightly
c) and sometimes, to just make money when Hollywood are fresh out of ideas

Sometimes, though, you can get a 4th possibility:

d) to actually try and reach a new audience

Those movies that take the 4th option are always the best remakes, but I can't really think of one remake that I like better than the original. Or, even a "very good" remake, to be honest.

Answer 3

I am not entirely sure but I would suggest;
a) To use today's effects technology.
b) Because some people are anti black and white films.
c) To set it in America because it would seem that your average American struggles to understand anything outside the 50 states.
(Possibly a bit harsh)
d) To do it in English, for much the same reason as above.
e) To make easy money without having to put any real creativity in.

You know that they are going to miss the whole point of the Wicker Man when they remake it.

Answer 4

Especially if the movies sucked to start with. Although the remakes of Ocean's 11, Gone in 60 seconds and The Bourne Identity are a lot better than the originals.

Answer 5

I think "Anthony C" nailed it; 99% of remakes are money grabs.

Every now and again, a film is remade in a way that actually makes sense, and allows us to re-visit what was GOOD about the original in a new and surprising context. I'm thinking about the remake of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" in particular; it really had something to say about paranoia in our modern society, and had a couple of nice digs at "psychobabble" and pop culture.

But...that's the only one that springs to mind. For the most part, I try to avoid 'em.

Answer 6

Well because there are several reasons, 1) because they think they can do a better job (most of the time they can't, Godzilla, war of the worlds.) 2) for the new generations so they can watch it. Ocean's 11, I am sure no one under 30 had heard of it until the clooney version came out. 3) just because the technology is there to make it more real then the last version (king kong, the italian job.) But then again it just might be that they are running out of ideas.

Answer 7

A lot of remakes are lame but some old films have such a good story to tell it makes sense to try to do em again. I would like to see a remake of "San Francisco", a classic, but nobody should waste their time trying to remake "Gone With The Wind" because you can never improve on perfection.

Answer 8

To make money basically....like most things in life! Bringing a classic story to a new audience is I guess an easy way to make cash.

I have to say though, I did think the remake of The Thomas Crown Affair was worthwhile!

Answer 9

One word:Greed! Studios think it's time to remake old movies to cash in on the latest fad. Most of the remakes were actually pretty good only because of today's' advances with CGI.

Answer 10

Because the chances are the film was successful and popular the first time round so its a good way to get a quick buck.

Also for the new generation.

Answer 11

people want to make money, but they've run out of ideas. remakes are rarely better than the original. as well as sequels (some sequels are good), and the current trend of turning old tv shows into movies. can no one come up with any good ideas anymore?