Hi all!
Today is more of a laid back, general discussion post. I am going to be comparing horror remakes versus new content. In 2022, what do you want to see more of? Are you tired of getting installments in an already existing franchise? Would you prefer fresh ideas that haven’t been explored yet? Without further ado, let’s get into it!
As you can see by the image below, I am holding two DVD’s. Both films were at the top of my list for new releases that came out last year. However, Candyman was a reboot and Last Night In Soho was an original story. Needless to say, I was thrilled the pair came into existence. The debate here is inevitably subjective. Some of you prefer nostalgia. Others wish to march forward and not look back. If you’re like me, I land somewhere in the middle. Let’s dive a little deeper…
NEW STORIES
It’s very difficult to create something entirely unique when a lot of it has been done already. You’re bound to see a familiar trope or plot-device along the way. You may even find yourself comparing it to a movie of the past. I will say, Last Night In Soho did not remind me of anything else. I was blown away by its concept and execution. It definitely drew elements from some of my favourite types of films but it also stood firmly on its own as a work of cinematic art. I really appreciated Edgar Wright’s fresh take on time travel, the Swinging Sixties of London and the desire for fame above all else. In my personal opinion, movies like this one do not come around often. As much as I adore horror, it’s rare to encounter a setting that we haven’t seen a million times before. For example, the haunted house has been done to death. Don’t get me wrong, I love it, but how can one turn it into something current? I don’t envy writers and filmmakers wracking their brains to come up with something groundbreaking within the genre. One thing is for sure…it absolutely can and will be done in the future.
REMAKES
When it comes to remakes, reboots, sequels and prequels, it needs to make sense. If the villain died in the previous film, please don’t find some ridiculous way to resurrect them for a cash grab. I am all for revisiting franchises on one condition: they haven’t been overdone. This may be an unpopular opinion but how many more Nightmare on Elm Street/Halloween/Friday the 13th/Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies do we need? There are already plenty! Candyman was the perfect movie to reboot. It had been years since the original, there weren’t many installments in the series and in today’s day and age, the racial and political commentary were more important than ever. I also think the amount of time between films matters. Scream fans were overjoyed to get a new feature a full decade later. It introduced a fresh cast whilst reprising a lot of the former roles. I really enjoyed that aspect. Sometimes you have to give us a chance to miss you? Do you know what I mean? I’m a massive TCM fan but the latest installment was a huge flop. The previous film had been released in 2017 (not four years prior) with a long line of movies behind it. I’m sorry if this offends anybody but was it really necessary? Following on from that, the Hellraiser series is about to hit its 11th feature this year. However, this time, it is introducing the very first ever female Pinhead. Time will tell if that decision pays off.
WHO WINS?
There are no winners! We like what we like. I’m beyond excited for the IT prequel because I cannot get enough Pennywise. Another horror fan probably rolled their eyes at that announcement. I know a YouTuber that prefers to watch entirely new stories. She’s incredibly over reboots, sequels and remakes. Other creators live for them. There is no right or wrong answer. I prefer a mix of both but I want original content to not remind me of anything else and for my remakes to be worth remaking. What do you think?
Thank you so much for reading! Please leave your comments about this topic below.
Peace & Love xoxo