Thirty years after Dudley Moore brought us Arthur, Russell Brand has attempted to breathe new life into the drunken playboy...without much critical success.
The original took nearly $100 million at the US box office and won two Oscars for Best Supporting Role for John Gielgud and Best Song for the Burt Bacharach theme tune Best That You Can Do, while the remake (out last Friday) has received reviews such as:
"A thin, insipid and oddly flavourless brew. Drink it responsibly. Better yet, don't drink it at all." - The Guardian
"Russell Brand is a narcissistic know-all in a remake so bad it could end his Hollywood career" - Daily Mail
"Back in 1981 Dudley Moore won an Oscar nod for Arthur. It's safe to say, Russell Brand will not." - Total Film
I can't comment on whether these reviews are correct as I am yet to see it, but as a big fan of Russell Brand I am hoping they are incorrect.
This certainly wouldn’t be the first bad remake (on the contrary there rarely seems to be a good one), and with Hollywood’s obsession with remaking every film ever released (regardless of how recently they originally came out) I doubt it will be the last. I have therefore put together a list of the best and the worst remakes in Hollywood.
BEST REMAKES
Dawn of the Dead [2004]
This will probably be an unpopular choice but while I am a big fan of the 1978 original, a bigger budget film with more realistic looking and much scarier zombies was something that I really enjoyed watching. There's no reason to have to decide between the two, they are both good for different reasons. Stop being such a film snob!
Funny Games [2007]
Many viewers criticised Michael Haneke for remaking his own film so precisely, saying it's hard to shock audiences who saw the same film only a decade before. But the remake was made to reach new audiences and the fantastic performances from the cast, Naomi Watts in particular, made this a very successful and terrifying remake that did as it intended.
Little Shop of Horrors [1986]
A twisted musical comedy starring Rick Moranis and Steve Martin, with brilliant cameos from Bill Murray and John Candy. It brings a lot of fun to the freaky story with catchy songs that will have you singing for...actually I'm still singing them. Like Oliver Twist, it’s a story that’s only worth watching when they’re singing.
Ocean's Eleven [2001]
While making two more afterwards might have been a mistake, Ocean's Eleven is one of the most successful remakes I can think of. With a witty script, an engrossing plot, and all-star cast and George Clooney and Brad Pitt oozing star quality, this film was great fun to watch.
Hairspray [2007]
How can you not like a movie in which John Travolta and Christopher Walken sing a love song to each other? An amazing cast that sings and dances across the screen with such flair and passion it’s completely infectious. It actually made me like Zac Effron (another surprising Zac Effron gem is 17 Again).
The Fly [1986]
The 1950s original was made during the golden age of science fiction films - many of which have been unsuccessfully remade. However the 1986 Jeff Goldblum version is shining example of a successful remake with improved (and much more disgusting) special effects - without losing what made the original a great film.
The Parent Trap [1998]
I know what you're thinking...a film with two Lindsay Lohans? Are you sure this is in the right list? But this is a great film and I'm sure most women in their early twenties will agree with me. This is a pre-crazy Lindsay Lohan - back when she was sweet and endearing - and it is a great update to the 1961 version. Really enjoyable for teenage girls....better than Hannah Montana anyway!
Karate Kid [2010]
I wasn't expecting much from this remake but was very pleasantly surprised. With Jackie Chan on board as the modern Mr Miyagi (Mr Han) the fights were always going to look spectacular, but the talented Jaden Smith, with his impressive high kick and ability to do the splits, took it to levels I didn't expect. The modernised references worked in a way that trying to copy the cheesiness of the 80s film would not have.
Three Men and a Baby [1987]
If you're surprised that this is a remake, so was I. Turns out it is based on the 1985 French film Trois Hommes Et Un Couffin (Three Men And A Cradle)...who knew? People often give me a judgmental look when I say this is one of my favourite films but it boasts superb casting in the form of the extremely likeable trio Tom Selleck, Ted Danson and Steve Guttenberg (no Guttenberg jokes around me) and a charming script - it was actually the biggest box office hit of that year, surpassing Fatal Attraction. The sequel Three Men and a Little Lady was equally brilliant, and I can't wait for the possible next addition Three Men and a Bride!
I'm not going to pretend Tim Burton's darker remake is better than the 1971 classic, but it was definitely enjoyable. By taking the taking the Roald Dahl story on a different path, it added something to my film viewing experience rather than feeling like a rehash of the same film - like many of the films on my worst remakes list. Gene Wilder was reportedly incensed by Burton and his Willie Wonka remaking the movie for "pointless" financial gain, but later went on to say Johnny Depp was a "magical" choice - and I agree.
WORST REMAKES
King Kong [2005]
The original is remembered for its pioneering special effects using stop motion models and animatronics, and an evocative love story heartbreakingly played by Fay Wray... Peter Jackson's CGI-heavy remake is remembered for being one of the most boring films in the history of cinema.
Italian Job [2003]
I'm not sure if this is a cinematic issue or a British issue but this Hollywood remake of the British car caper classic just didn't feel right. They relocated the action to LA, swapped the Mini Coopers for BMW versions and exchanged Michael Caine for Mark Wahlberg...No thank you.
Pink Panther [2006]
Steve Martin was keen to avoid "just doing a rehash of a genius" and he at least succeeded in not doing that. While Peter Sellers' Closseau was essentially loveable, Martin's was just annoying. It seemed like they hadn't really got the humour in the original and the only joke appeared to be Martin speaking in a ridiculous French accent.
Brighton Rock [2011]
After watching Blue Valentine (one of the best films of 2011 so far) we needed a bit of cheering up so thought we'd go and see another film while we were at the cinema...Brighton Rock will probably be quite good right? WRONG. A bland and forgettable film, made even more disappointing in comparison to the brilliant cinema I had just seen.
House of Wax [2005]
Two words for you. Paris. Hilton. The characters are tired, the plot is boring and the kills are unmemorable. It doesn’t even qualify for 'so bad it’s good' kudos.
Psycho [1998]
Alfred Hitchcock is the master of suspense and one of the greatest directors of all time. So why anybody feels any of his films should be improved on I do not know. In this case they took probably his most famous and successful film and did a shot-by-shot remake but in colour and starring Anne Heche and Vince Vaughn in place of Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins. Pointless.
The Ladykillers [2005]
I feel bad for putting a Tom Hanks film on a worst of list but this rare misstep from the Coen Brothers deserves it. While the original gave us genius performances from Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers, the remake proved that Hollywood's decisions to choose fame over quality does not always pay off with White Chick's Marlon Wayan being the completely wrong decision for the remake of a film known for its sinister undertone.
The Invasion [2007]
This is actually the second remake of Invasion Of The Bodysnatchers - the first remake in 1978 being an improved version of the original with Donald Sutherland in the main role. The third time around, with Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman, was not so successful with the excitement never really rising above mediocre.
Time Machine [2002]
One of the strangest casting decisions I can think of with z-list pop star performing opposite the usually talented Guy Pearce. Attention was drawn to the bad acting and the over-the-top action sequences which were annoyingly added to the original sci-fi style.
Bedazzled [2000]
Another remake of a Dudley Moore film, this time I can definitely let you know that it is awful. Instead of trying to find somebody to compete with the hilarious Peter Cook, they just cast Liz Hurley and gave her a wardrobe of tight red costumes. Sorry Liz, you may be sexy but I'll take Peter Cook over you any day.
What are your favourite and least favourite remakes?
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