I just saw the remake of the Italian Job yesterday, and was struck by how much better it was than the original. By no means were either film that great, but the remake was a lost more interesting to watch. The old film suffered from awful pacing (except for the start of the heist,) almost zero character development apart from Michael Caine's, and an over-the top Benny Hill style chase scene at the end (hey, wasn't he in it as well? :) That's not to say the remake's wasn't over the top, but it's definatly more enjoyable to watch.Yes, Caine is a better actor than pretty much all the actors in the remake put together, but it's not enough to save it.
Any other remakes that were superior to the original?
My short list of the rare exception to the rule on remakes:
Ocean's 11 - Same as the Italian Job, the original was flat boring; the actors, though fun to watch, telephoned in their roles.
Pride & Prejudice - Not a big fan of this genere, the six hour BBC miniseries is lightyears superior to any previous or post incarnations. My wife agrees, and it's her opinion that matters :)
The Thing - The original was OK, the remake was one of the best horror films produced.
There are others; The Fly? Scarface? Hitchcock's own The Man Who Knew Too Much?
/*Music is subjective. Sound is not.*/
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Topic - Better remakes - jbmcb 18:41:50 02/21/06 (8)
- The Thing - Analog Scott 08:11:14 02/23/06 (0)
- A Christmas Carol.... - RGA 22:40:40 02/22/06 (0)
- Body Snatchers? No way... - Jim Campilongo 16:50:24 02/22/06 (0)
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre..readily cmes to mind..n/t - Audio Pharaoh 11:24:07 02/22/06 (0)
- Don't know if you can call it a remake, but what the hell... War and Peace. - Victor Khomenko 06:04:10 02/22/06 (0)
- Re: Better remakes - Robert 22:19:09 02/21/06 (2)
- Strong agreement with Mohicans and Body Snatchers - Road Warrior 10:01:41 02/22/06 (1)
- Yes, the "Sutherland" IOTBS (nt) - Robert 22:07:32 02/22/06 (0)