When a concept takes origin in Hollywood and finds acceptance from the audiences, what follows is a sequel, but when a movie achieves a tremendous response and grows a massive fan base, it is bound to be remade. A remake holds both promises as well as a challenge. With a well settled and dedicated fan base, it is no small challenge to stay true to the basic story and impress fans. Here are some remakes that failed miserably when compared to the originals.
- Godzilla
When American filmmakers took up the project of releasing Godzilla, many were excited and most skeptical. Toho Co. was the original production house for the Godzilla series, and after the Godzilla: Final Wars movie, they announced that they would be taking a break from the monster series. While the Toho Godzilla had a dedicated purpose and his character shifted from vengeful demon to savior more than once, the American Godzilla was just a mutated dinosaur.
Godzilla had lost its basic physical traits as well, with no thick legs, back spines, fiery red eyes, or radioactive fire breath. The remade Godzilla was a mere dinosaur trampling over a city.
- Plant of the Apes (2001)
While Tim Burton is a legendary film-maker, the Planet of the Apes remains one of his big fails. The first in the remake series, this movie is more of a re-imagined version than a remake. The biggest plot change in this movie is “time-travel”, here the lead travels through time and space to land on a planet ruled by apes. With a plot that is not even remotely like the original, the movie makers keep trying to relate it to the predecessor, in failed attempts. This results in a confusing, bland and boring remake attempt.
- The Time Machine
Based on the novel by H.G. Wells, there are two movie versions of this classic novel, with little to do with the original concept. In the 1960 version, the protagonist is driven by scientific enthusiasm into inventing a time travel machine. The 2002 version shows the lead, running away from his present when he is overwhelmed with emotions. Both the movies provide a very different context to the same story. While the 1960 movie stays a little true to the novel’s plot, where the lead finds a dimwitted race of small Aryans, the 2002 residents of Eloi are highly industrious and ethnic.
- Psycho
Called the “schizophrenic twin of the original” by Gus Van Sant, the 1998 remake was a financial and critical flop. What angered the critics about the remake was that it was not much of a remake but rather a reshoot, frame by frame and line by line. This movie managed to be a gold-standard for flop remakes in Hollywood movies . The film did have some minor alterations that were so bland that they were easily overlooked.
- Terminator Genisys
The most recent installment in the half-man half machine versus villains was an epic failure. According to sources, the movie has lost money and hence the series stands canceled for future sequels. The movie only managed to gain some popularity in China, which could not salvage it from the money loosing pit.
- Total Recall
A remake of the cult classic, the 2012 edition failed miserably at the box office. The reasons could be many, but the most relevant one seems to the how the plot that was relevant back when the original was released, no longer stands ground.
- Arthur
Starring Russell Brand, the remake was a mediocre remake of the classic tale. Though the movie failed tragically, it is still not the worst onein Hollywood. The movie was a sad investment for the makers and the audience as well.
Remakes are made to reminiscence in the original story, but most of these end up drawing all the negative kinds of attention. This can be partly attributed to time-relevance and partly to the high levels set by the originals.
