I read an article about seven years ago that pops into my head more and more. The author outlined ways in which Hollywood studios are screwing themselves over financially and creatively. The remaking of film history, particularly the 80's and 90's, was among the offenses. Remaking films that have no real business being messed with, as they stayed on our radar the first time around. All that tactic does is reiterate to the audience that Hollywood at large focuses on procuring dollars with haphazard, pandering nostalgia more than earning our trust or respect with original thought or innovative presentation (I'm looking at you, Disney). This was almost a decade ago, and the message is louder and clearer today than it was at the time. I don't think we recognized what was happening, but it continues, this landslide to muddy repetitive oblivion.
If these projects were Kickstarter funded, grass roots style manifestos of exciting artistic play, that would be one thing. If, say, the people involved truly loved the story lines so much that they decide to expand on it for the further joy and enjoyment of fans everywhere and the end result tapped into that important essence. Maybe. If the entire original cast (yeah, even the two line day players) signed on with the same director and writer. Maybe, maybe.
Sadly though, even under those conditions, the versions received along those lines just fail to recapture in spirit and resonance, especially so far past the relevance marker. I submit for example, Dumb and Dumber To. I choose not to watch that one, I prefer to keep the first inspired, weird, hilarious one alive in my mind. All previews I've seen are kind of a mockery. It's a great example, because that was one of the break outs of the time, we added it to the lexicon of quoted and re-watched (I had the soundtrack, that's when you know it's real). The only reason it was, however, was that it had no intention of being so. It just ended up there, by way of telling an unfamiliar off-the -wall story with apt casting and raunch and utter silliness that worked. All the off center things were what made it memorable. I bristle when things get all contrive-y twenty years later. Polite pass, guys.
Sadly though, even under those conditions, the versions received along those lines just fail to recapture in spirit and resonance, especially so far past the relevance marker. I submit for example, Dumb and Dumber To. I choose not to watch that one, I prefer to keep the first inspired, weird, hilarious one alive in my mind. All previews I've seen are kind of a mockery. It's a great example, because that was one of the break outs of the time, we added it to the lexicon of quoted and re-watched (I had the soundtrack, that's when you know it's real). The only reason it was, however, was that it had no intention of being so. It just ended up there, by way of telling an unfamiliar off-the -wall story with apt casting and raunch and utter silliness that worked. All the off center things were what made it memorable. I bristle when things get all contrive-y twenty years later. Polite pass, guys.
I'm not saying that the artists involved with these projects are crap for being involved. Bills to pay and dreams to realize, haven't we all. From a business stand point major markets are hard to keep because there remains that second-to-second refreshed page of newer and shinier things to be distracted by (top tier execs not heeding the internet is the fore runner as to how this all started, if you ask me), and it ain't getting any easier.
Youth obsession coupled with instant gratification and it's a wonder we aren't just splicing together ten second mash-ups of "cool movie stuff" and calling it good: a sad event in the past, then a big explosion, a fight sequence, a romantic embrace, a secret revealed that thickens the plot and/or justifies all the drama. Then everyone smiles and laughs and carries on toward a beautiful sunset. Save ourselves time and-ahem-money.
We deserve better, and know for a fact we are capable of better.
I look around at the complex, wondrous, amazing lives of those around me and see nothing but a plot line or a jumping off point to fill numerous pages with. Everyone on planet earth has a thought that no one else has thought of before, not unlike our fingerprints, we are no two alike. Despite the unifying commonalities that will always be utilized to tie it all together, how odd it is we are lining up to accept what's being thrown at us. I know I'm not the only one out here on the farthest fringe of popular demand that feels this way.
Let's head toward the lusher, greener fields of entertainment then, those that have grown out of fertile imaginative soils, not well-worn tracts fertilized over yet again with slick business acumen and marketing degrees in (full Oscar winning) costume, masquerading as inspired installations of moving human condition. All just to grab us by the wallet and purse strings, not tug at our heart strings organically. Complete with action figure and DVD/Blue Ray combo pack on standby. We have whiffed if all before a few times. Ignoring that is an insult to the intelligence and integrity that we admired about those movies way back when. Is it not?
Might I suggest...a familiar face, style or imagery that might be reminiscent of something else beloved, but rather than trying to recreate the entire experience, creating an entirely new one? Using the same crew, cast and vibe (if we must, after all Mel Brooks did it for years and never lost his cred), but doing something that is a complete departure from: Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, The X-Men, Middle Earth, formulaic romantic cliches, Cinderella, Snow White, the 80's hits, the 90's hits (early Millennial while we're at it), Star Wars, cult classics from any era, prequels/sequels that come from a think tank built to make money, not the originator and their personal touch. I have nothing against the themes above, or the movies they have spawned...I just don't really care enough about the characters anymore to remember or invest in any of it. I know I'm not the only one.
Might I suggest...a familiar face, style or imagery that might be reminiscent of something else beloved, but rather than trying to recreate the entire experience, creating an entirely new one? Using the same crew, cast and vibe (if we must, after all Mel Brooks did it for years and never lost his cred), but doing something that is a complete departure from: Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, The X-Men, Middle Earth, formulaic romantic cliches, Cinderella, Snow White, the 80's hits, the 90's hits (early Millennial while we're at it), Star Wars, cult classics from any era, prequels/sequels that come from a think tank built to make money, not the originator and their personal touch. I have nothing against the themes above, or the movies they have spawned...I just don't really care enough about the characters anymore to remember or invest in any of it. I know I'm not the only one.
There are silver linings to the dreary deja vu clouds that hang above us. For every Rocky Horror Picture Show remake (the thought of that one still stings like a jellyfish), there are gems like Mr. Nobody and Gone Girl. Even if you didn't particularly like the movie (I did, both were against the grain and stylized enough to stick), it got you thinking in new directions, it dazzled you in some way even for just a minute. That minute is worth more than all hours of the other rehashes combined. It's why we buy tickets, in hopes to have that.
I hold sacred the forging of new horizons. I see no point in life itself with out it. That includes the decline to buy into all the reused just to have something to watch, and just so they have something to make money with. We are in the directors seat on that one.
So here's to those fresh perspectives, may they grow stronger and fresher each day. Eventually we will bust out of the rut. Art imitates life, after all.
I eagerly await the aisle for those stories.
I hold sacred the forging of new horizons. I see no point in life itself with out it. That includes the decline to buy into all the reused just to have something to watch, and just so they have something to make money with. We are in the directors seat on that one.
So here's to those fresh perspectives, may they grow stronger and fresher each day. Eventually we will bust out of the rut. Art imitates life, after all.
I eagerly await the aisle for those stories.
