Leave Freddy Alone!
With just two days left before the remake/relaunch/reimagineeing of the “Friday the 13th” series, word on the wire is that the people over at Platinum Dunes, responsible for the “Friday” remake have set their sights on remaking “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” I can somewhat understand an eagerness to reboot “Friday the 13th,” as things had gotten a little too convoluted in the final movies, and I can appreciate that it’s not an outright remake, but just like “Halloween,” there is no point in remaking “Elm Street.”
I’ll wait to pass judgment on the new “Friday the 13th” until after I’ve seen it, but can’t these guys be a little more creative than simply remaking any classic horror movie they can get their hands on. Just so you know, the pinheads behind this brilliant decision to remake “A Nightmare on Elm Street” are Brad Fuller and Andrew Form.
Enough with the remakes already!
We don’t need any more remakes folks, especially in the horror genre. My biggest gripe with these remake films is that they then proceed to hijack the future of the franchise as all subsequent films are then based on the remake. Take Rob Zombie’s awful attempt to remake “Halloween.” This year, we’re expected to see the release of “H2,” a direct sequel to Zombie’s movie. What once was one of my favorite franchises is now an utter disaster. Zombie’s film doesn’t capture the same essence as the original film series as it has that weird ’70s feel to it, but you’re never quite sure exactly when it’s taking place. It feels more ’70s than the original 1978 film did! I cannot accurately comment on the new “Friday the 13th” yet, but although it claims to be set in contemporary times, it also has that look to it. I do not want this feel to my established characters.
Why can’t Hollywood think of anything original anymore? And while I’ll admit that not all remakes are bad (”My Bloody Valentine 3D” was pretty good), it’s certainly a craze that’s way out of control. Almost all of the pioneer slasher films have been remade in the course of the last three years. “Halloween,” “Friday the 13th,” “My Bloody Valentine,” “Black Christmas,” “When a Stranger Calls,” “Prom Night,” all remade. But why? It’s because they bring in megabucks. And until these movies start tanking, it’s never going to stop. But it’s a catch-22, as well. If “Friday the 13th” were to bomb, then they would simply blame it on Jason not being marketable. It won’t be because its a remake and that it might not be a good movie (I have not seen it, I am only speaking hypothetically), but they’ll blame it on something else.
Come on, I’d rather see a well-written and directed sequel to these movies than a remake any day. I’m sure there’s a writer somewhere who can think of a decent plot to get Jason or Freddy back to their roots for a decent sequel. Heck, I’d even rather see a “Freddy vs. Jason 2.” Or throw in another slasher to spice things up. Pinhead, anyone? All I’m saying is that not every classic horror movie has to be remade. There are other options, and I’m sure there many people who agree with me on this one. But hey, just leave Freddy alone!