So as you may have noticed, I have fallen quite behind as of late, and only got three reviews out for October. Sorry about that, I've just been dealing with a lot of personal stuff going on in life, either having to do with school or tragedy striking when you least expect it...point is, while Halloween may have passed, and while I did get you guys a review on Halloween day, I feel like I need to make it up to you somehow. What I've decided is that I'm going to finish up the 13 Nerdy Nights of Horror, as well as do something special for you guys during December. Not going to say what it is, but I am promising something for you.
But to hold you guys over for the time being, I felt like it was time to circle over to a couple topics that I have been eager to talk about, mostly with films in the horror genre. While this decade has seen success with fresh new IPs to build cults around, we mustn't forget the times when creators revisited previous works. Remakes of horror films have dated back as far as even the 1930's, where some see the potential that a film had untapped, and try to revitalize it into a new light to achieve that missing piece. Whether they're retellings of a monster in a book, or the tale of a vampire or some kind, everybody always talks about at least one detail that they always assume would have made the film better; some succeed, others just smell cash. Today, I want to discuss what I believe to be the best reimaginings of any horror film, ones that manage to both honor the original, but at the same time have elements that make the film seem necessary and have something that proves its worth. Some of them, I had discussed within the past decade even.
With that said, let's dive into my Top 10 Horror Remakes:
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#10: The Blob (1988) - The 80’s was an era somewhat similar to the 2000’s. We saw a lot of old b-movies at that time get the remake treatment like Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Night of the Living Dead, even Nosferatu got it’s chance at a revival. However, as opposed to the 2000’s where they remade it for the sake of profit, THESE remakes were made to showcase how far we’ve come with special effects, and this film is no exception. While the original 1958 flick, starring Steve McQueen, still remains a classic by being one of the first to monster movies to have teenagers as the main heroes, it still was pretty low budget and cheesy in parts that aren’t as believable as they were back then. The 1988 film, directed by Chuck Russell and co-written by Frank Darabont, took the main premise components that worked, all while cranking the gore up to beyond recognition. This is one of the first films that introduced me to the body horror genre, and just how disgustingly disturbing visual effects can get, something Russell was all too familiar with after coming off of Nightmare on Elm Street 3: The Dream Warriors. But effects are one thing, what about the story? In the original, the blob was simply an alien life form that crashes on Earth, but the remake turns it into a biological government weapon gone wrong; it adds this conspiracy theory element to it, not knowing who's to say where the blob really came from, but it plays into the paranoia that was still present during that time period. Not only that, but the characters that interact in the film do try to take more action into their hands, as opposed to trying to solve it and then calling the adults. And it features some prominent actors like Shawnee Smith, Kevin Dillion, Jeffry DuMann, Paul McCrane, and even the late-great comedy teacher: Del Close. Although, I will admit, the film does have some issues; with it being also in the era of the slasher films, a couple kills can get a little hokey, along with the dialogue and acting being pretty bad at times. It’s understandable why people would prefer the original, but they still respect this movie as worthy remake. Whichever one you prefer, this is one that’ll consume your attention in someway.
#9: Cape Fear (1991) - While Martin Scorsese isn’t the first name that comes to mind when it comes to remakes, a lot of people forget that he has had a hand at some major ones; hell, the film that won him an Oscar, The Departed, was a remake of a foreign film. However, Cape Fear is not only another strong example, but is often one of the most overlooked. After spending a near decade in prison, Max Cady tracks down and antagonizes the Bowden family, whom he discovered the dad defending his case buried evidence that could of reduced his sentence. Being their 7th collaboration together, the best part is easily Robert De Niro as Cady; he is just chewing the scenery in almost every moment he’s on screen, being such a malicious ass. He doesn’t come off as a common murderous nutcase that we would normally stereotype, but as a calculative strategist that takes his time to study his enemies weaknesses and use his strengths against him at almost every angle by studying law in prison; it’s the thrill of the hunt that makes him a thrill to enjoy, even as he’s doing such horrid things to the Bowden family. While this remake does deserve the praise it got, even overshadowing the original almost nearly, you have to give credit that Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum were still just as compelling; so compelling that they brought the two back in different roles, as a nod to the original. Either way, both films are definitely worth the watch; while I say decide for yourself, I’ve made my mind up already.
#8: Fright Night (2011) - As I was discussing earlier, the 2000’s were jam-packed of remakes of movies from the previous remake era, along with remakes of the original films that came out at the time. A lot of them were...underwhelming, to say the least. However, when Craig Gillespie’s remake of the Tom Holland vampire flick was released, it ended up being one of the biggest surprises for me. Much like the original film, Charlie is a high school student who has slight suspicions about his neighbor, Jerry, being a vampire; to fight off this beast, he seeks the help of a celebrity, Peter Vincent, who he thinks might have enough knowledge of dealing with the matter. The idea of having the film take place in Las Vegas is an interesting idea, especially as someone who just moved there at that time; the idea that anybody who works the night shift at a casino or hotel, possibly being a vampire, is the kind of paranoia originality that vampire movies had been lacking for quite a while. Not only that, but the blend of horror and comedy blend in perfectly, and it works intentionally, unlike with the original where it just felt silly. Here, I felt like every joke and scare had a stronger effect. Anton Yelchin and Colin Farrell are a great pair of leads, and I love the chemistry that these two share; that scene with the beer still has me tense up, everytime Farrell has that monologue. I also thought David Tennant’s portrayal of Peter Vincent was a delight to watch, and nearly every line he says had me cracking up; the only downside is that I wish his character was a little less Kris Angel based. I know, it’s Vegas, but come on, we also have Circus Circus, so you could have had him as a Fright Dome designer. Hell, the film was even nice enough to give a cameo to Chris Sarandon, the original Jerry, so that was pretty cool. The film was also released in 3D and, despite me not having seen it myself, I probably would have said it looked neat; however, I can only speculate, as I don’t have a 3D tv and that gimmick seems to be going into hibernation as of late.
#7: The Fly (1986) - You know how Josh Trank made comparisons between his Fant4stic and David Cronenberg? Well, if you watch this film, you’ll get what he was talking about (as well as the best thing you could say about Fant4stic). Jeff Goldblum plays the scientist, Seth Brundle, who is working on a teleportation experiment that could change travel as we know it forever. However, when he conducts the experiment on himself, a fly sneaks in, and the rest of the film is watching Seth slowly become this hideous creature. First off, the acting in this is a lot better than what people give credit for. Jeff Goldblum’s performance as Brundle is probably one of his more underappreciated roles, as you watch him go from a skeptical but ambitious scientist, suddenly gain almost all the things he lacked, only for it to slowly crumble before him is tragic and at times unbearable. It plays off as the true Greek Tragedy that this kind of story could tell. Much like The Blob, this was a remake of a 1958 b-movie, done as a way to showcase how far we can take this premise with the visual effects of that time period. However, unlike The Blob, this movie took a lot more time to really build the looming danger that Brundle was slowly discovering. The film keeps him as the main focus, so when you see the changes begin to happen to him, you’re more concerned about his survival, as opposed to thinking “hey, look how cool these effects are!” much like a few similar films on this list. It did what the original acted as, a metaphor for how fast we were jumping with scientific advancements and how if not careful, we could end up killing ourselves with the very tools we create. If you haven’t seen it, check it out, but be afraid...be very afraid.
#6: House of Wax (1953) - I know most people would associate the Paris Hilton movie as the image of “the remake of House of Wax”, but a lot of people forget that THAT movie is a remake of 1933’s Mystery of the Wax Museum. It’s about a talented sculptor whose work and hands are destroyed in a fire, caused by his jealous and greedy rival. Without his hands, he can’t sculpt wax properly anymore, while at the same time a killer is going around on the loose killing people. Much like Fright Night, this also had a release in 3D, but it’s not quite the same level of quality as today’s Real-D conversions. However, it still has a charming novelty to it, similar to how other horror films in the 80’s were utilizing the gimmick. And though this film wasn’t exactly a critical darling at the time, people have come to realize just how influential and important it was. This was the film that put Vincent Price on the map as one of the next masters of horror, and rightfully so; when he talks about his work as if they’re family, you believe that he’s that passionate about his creation. And when you get to him in his crippled state resorting to the gimmicks he wanted to avoid, it almost feels like a dark foreshadowing of Price’s career, doesn’t it. There’s also a great effect with the killer that I dare won’t spoil if you haven’t seen it. I would have to say, my only complaint would have to be the fire fight scene; I feel like had the film been edited a little differently, making that scene as a flashback in the third act, it probably would have flown better in terms of the mystery part, but that’s just me. Despite it, I absolutely love this scene; seeing the wax figures melt, and seeing the tension on Price’s face as he tries to deal with an ACTUAL fire on set, it really does get your heart racing. Even filmmakers like Tim Burton have talked about how somewhat unsettling yet fascinating watching wax figures melt can actually be.
#5: Carrie (2013) - While not the first Stephen King story to get a theatrical remake, the story of a telekinetic girl who gets back at her bullies is a deeply satisfying concept to get into, especially for the ending. The ‘76 DePalma film stands as debatably the strongest and most effective story from King that was executed so damn well, that no one would ever think to top it...at least, that’s what the general opinion is; the remake of Carrie got a lot of hatred, simply from the trailer along, and some have even called this film pointless. To both those points, I say the opposite. Not only is the remake good, I’d even say it’s better than the original, or at least, more faithful to the book and its original themes discussing misjudgment of others and the dangers of bullying. And with bullying itself becoming worse in our society, it almost makes retelling this story seem a little more important. Social media, digital cameras, and the amplification of exposure to violence have all been attributing factors that help give the film ground, as well as illustrate that while we do try improve from the past, we could still be doing the same mistakes as we did long ago. I did a comparison on this film and the original two years ago for its 40th anniversary, and in there I go into much more detail there, but don’t miss out on this film if you’re looking for something to get you out of your prom night blues...and into your prom night reds, am I right?...
#4: Little Shop of Horrors (1986) - It’s not that often you get to see horror movies remade into musicals, and Little Shop of Horrors does not hold back from it. Based on the Alan Menken and Howard Ashman musical, which in itself was based on a Roger Corman B-movie, the story follows a pushover who gets his job into fame and fortune with a plant, but the plant food is very specific...BLOOD. Before The Producers and Hairspray, this was the defining example of remaking a movie from its stage-play rendition; not only did the songs add so much more charm, but the story, characters, and effects especially were updated nicely. Frank Oz put all of his puppetry skills to the test, and what he gave us was one hell of a memorable film. If you want a reason practical effects still reign supreme, just watch the scene of “Mean Green Mother From Outer Space,” and just try to tell me that it doesn’t look convincing. Again, I’ve talked quite a bit about this film as well, so I’ll try not to go into too much detail; to me, it’s how you bring the musically and the scary together.
#3: IT (2017) - The most recent entry on our list, this movie has everything that makes this as unsettling and at times, terrifying as it should be. Based on only HALF of the novel by Stephen King, we follow the story of a group of kids, called the Loser’s Club, who live in the town of Derry, Maine. One of them, Bill, loses his brother to a demonic creature that comes about every 27 years, and it’s up to him and the rest of the Losers to fight against the fear eating monster, until IT returns again. What makes this remake different is that it’s a remake of a 1990 mini-series starring Tim Curry as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, one of the many forms of IT. And while it is a flawed low-budget mini-series, there’s still a lot of nostalgia that people have with it; so the idea of remaking it wasn’t about making it better, but whether it would be able to have an identity that would be as defining as its predecessor. Thankfully, if the box office has told us otherwise. While the biggest change was bringing the kids story to the late-80’s instead of the late 50’s, the exchanges between the characters is so good, that it doesn’t feel like anything’s different about it. And by telling the childhood story in more linear narrative, as opposed to flashbacking constantly, you get to know these kids and get to care about each of their dilemmas, so when the danger does strike at them, you do feel as scared as they do. I also love what they did with Pennywise, blending elements of practical makeup and CGI so well, that it makes it all the more unsettling when he reveals the dead-lights; and Bill Skarsgard is unquestionably phenomenal, so good to have an iconic horror villian revamped in a fresh way. Needless to say, I’m anticipating part 2, and can’t wait to see what they bring.
#2: Evil Dead (2013) - When you hear the announcement that a remake of your favorite horror film is coming out on your birthday, in a time when good horror remakes seemed rare, it’s easy to imagine my worry. Luckily, Fede Alvarez managed to not only relieve my worries, but he even got the approval of the trio behind the original to start with, and, dare I say, made it better. Unlike the original film, where it was teenagers going to an old cabin to have sex, the remake has it be more of a rehabilitation method for one of the characters; that actually makes the motive of staying at an old cabin seem more reasonable, as you would then have the deadites she sees play more off like withdrawals. And it’s fixing little holes in the writing, as well as the amplified dedication to use practical effects, that you feel this was made out of love for the original film in particular, but at the same time not afraid to highlight a few of the campier quirks the series is known for. Not only that, but the biggest stand out performance is the surviving champ. While the character of Ash Williams may not be in the film, aside from a post-credits wink to the audience, it was actually kind of refreshing to see the sister, Mia Allen, have a date with chainsawing deadites; this was also the role that introduced me to Jane Levy, and since then she’s been one of my new favorite horror actresses, later appearing in Don’t Breathe and Castle Rock. It’s a shame that we didn’t get to see more of Mia’s character later on in the franchise, because I would have loved to have seen her on Ash Vs. Evil Dead in some form. This is another one I’ve talked about quite a bit in my review of it back in 2013, as well as in my Evil Dead retrospect, but if you’re looking for a gloriously gory time, rev your chainsaws and chop away.
#1: The Thing (1982) - The film that set the standard for horror remakes for the rest of time, this masterpiece from John Carpenter has been implanted in pop culture, just like the creature would to any of our characters. However, what makes this film differ from the original, is that it does something that not many other horror films did at the time, and that was make sort of a sequel/remake to the original. Both the original and remake are loosely based on the John W. Campbell Jr. novel Who Goes There?, but what’s unique about them is that the Christian Nyby film, which Carpenter was a fan of, was only an adaptation of the first half of the book and had a completely different kind of alien, whereas the Carpenter film covers most of the latter half and a bit more. It takes its time to build up the suspense and allow us to get familiar with the characters, so once you do see them slowly get taken in by the creature; and we see it isn’t just humans, but even animals, making the sequence and situation more dire. Not to mention, you have powerhouse actors like Kurt Russell and Keith David as the leads, how could you not get any more badass? This of course brings us to the special effects, which even by today’s standards look unbelievably good. Even when this film was panned upon original release, people still gave it credit where it was due. With how outlandishly gory and disgusting it got, it coined the phrase from Roger Ebert, “a barf-bag movie.” Personally, I’d take that as a compliment. I also like the fact that the alien doesn’t have a definitive form, and that what it does show is only a glimpse of what it could possibly be. But to me, that’s also the scariest part about it; you never know for sure what it’s going to look like, and the next appearance might be worse than the last. The Thing is truly a masterpiece; the effects are fantastic, the characters are likable, the atmosphere is chilling, the music by Ennio Morricone is one of best, it truly is the #1 Horror movie remake.
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