80’s Movies That Hollywood Should Not Remake

Hollywood has a horrible track record at remaking older movies. Achieving one or two successful attempts a year, compared to the dozens that fall flat on their face, is not a passing grade. The majority of remakes have - and will continue to be - a perfect way to butcher a former film's credibility. Upon further examination, it seems that the majority of remakes come from the most schlocky and progressive decade in film's history: the 1980's. Total Recall, Footloose, The Karate Kid, Fright Night, The Thing, Conan the Barbarian etc. Hollywood consistently tries to recapture a spark that was once lit, during a time where ambitious ideas and large scale spectacles were beginning to fully mesh into a cohesive package. Unfortunately, Hollywood has a hard time remembering it's 2012 and things work differently now. 80's movies should be perceived in the same manner as 80's fashion was; a trend that worked at the time, but shouldn't be brought back to life now. Hollywood must stop tarnishing an era that provided audiences with so much innovation and charm. That being said, it's obvious that the onslaught will continue and the assembly line for remakes will still be rolling, but Hollywood should at least find the compassion to leave the following "original" films with their dignity still intact. Continue reading on the next page... Back to the Future One of the biggest films of the 1980s was also one of the most widely adored. Marty McFly, Christopher Llyod's hair, the DeLorean, the energetic soundtrack and the most persistently abusive bully next to Hitler, it's no wonder that this was an enormous hit. Robert Zemeckis was an early pioneer of using cutting edge special effects for maximum effect, and in 1985 this movie was an absolute blast for the audience to experience. It also included smart time travel conundrums such as dealing with resisting the hormones of your mother back when she was a teenage bombshell. Say what you want about the trilogy as a whole, but the first one will always remain a cherished gem. Why it should be left alone: Michael J. Fox and Christopher Llyod could never be replaced. Never. Not even by the likes of actors such as Ryan Gosling and Bryan Cranston. That was not a suggestion by the way. Continue reading on the next page... Fast Times at Ridgemont High The first film portraying a raunchy look at the inner dealings of high-school, including all the various cliques, moral dilemmas, sticky situations and juvenile dialogue that goes along with it. Although, it's pretty tame compared to today's standards. It's shocking to see so many current well-known actors appear in such limited roles, yet each one is given enough screen time to make a lasting impression. The heavy-handed subject material can be overemphasized at times - especially noticeable when revolving around Jennifer Jason Leigh's naive character - but Amy Heckerling injects everything with an earnest appreciation for the laws and regulations that accompany a high-school setting. Why it should be left alone: Recapturing the film's spirit now just wouldn't seem plausible. We are too used to R rated teenage comedies and the filth that is dragged along with them. Phoebe Cates coming out of that pool in slow motion, had more of a mind-blowing impact for an adolescent male in the 1980s than it would have today. Nudity and the teasing of sexual content is too mainstream now, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High helped influence this to become reality. Continue reading on the next page... Die Hard The series is still going strong with yet another installment of John McClane's unlucky timing for adventure, A Good Day to Die Hard, coming out this February. Eventually though, Bruce Willis will be 90 and no more money will made from his gung-ho attitude and wisecracks. A return to Nakatomi Plaza and the terrorists that will invade it, is a guarantee for full nostalgic appeal. Hollywood always goes back to the basics when searching for a fresh idea. That means a new John Mclane must be chosen and most likely a new Hans Gruber along with him. Don't worry, you can't be the only one cringing in horror if this all ends up coming to fruition one day. Why it should be left alone: Aside from the fact that a Die Hard movie can't have anyone besides Bruce Willis play John McClane, the original was a visceral thrill ride thanks to John McTiernan's skill as an action director. A new Die Hard would consist of the jerky camera movements and quick editing that plagues all current movie fight scenes, a trait that thankfully wasn't around yet in 1988. Continue reading on the next page... Ghostbusters The perfect blockbuster consists of all the ingredients that Ghostbusters contains. The off-beat humor, the memorable imagery, exciting set-pieces, a montage accompanied by the title theme song, clever use of special effects, perfectly timed one-liners and of course, Sigourney Weaver. Sometimes you see a movie that you can't stop blabbing about to your friends; these are examples of the magic that movies have. Until 1984, no one had seen or possibly imagined something as original as Ghostbusters. It was like the Jurassic Park or the Star Wars of the 1980s. Re-watching it now just makes you smile. Why it should be left alone: Imagine how joyless and redundant the climax would be if the Stay Puft Marshmellow Man was a CGI creation. Sometimes Hollywood forgets how effective old school methods once were. Continue reading on the next page... All of John Hughes films It's actually surprising that none of Hughes' films have been remade; especially when you consider all but one were conceived in the 80s. This was a director who was completely in his element, at a time when audiences could relate to his light brand of comedy and teenage angst. He found a muse in Molly Ringwald, and together they generated titles that still top almost all feel good favorite lists. Hughes dominated the 80s, and his abrupt departure from filmmaking after Curly Sue in 1991, exemplifies the difference a new decade can have on a director and about the quality of movies that should be made. Why they should be left alone: At this point Hollywood must know that remaking a Hughes film is unmarketable for our modern society. A film that takes place during a single detention period? That would never sell now. For the time being, instead of direct remakes, Hollywood will try to shamelessly copy the exact format of a Hughes film and sell it as a fresh product. Anyone remember how funny Due Date was? Anyone? Continue reading on the next page... Who Framed Roger Rabbit Cult classics are always the first targets to be brought back to life on the big screen. It's easy to determine what films are more popular now than when they were actually released. Even though Who Framed Roger Rabbit was a critical and financial success back in 1988, over the years it has been idolized for being a signature staple of the innovation in the fields of animation and storytelling. Why it should be left alone: This movie hasn't aged a day, it's still an unbelievable treat for the eyes. There have been multiple attempts at blending the live-action world with the cartoon universe, but even Hollywood has realized this is a dead end. Not to mention the taste in animation has changed dramatically. Try to imagine Who Framed Roger Rabbit with today's state of the art technology; it just wouldn't have the same vivid contrast as hand-drawn charm. Although, a digitally enhanced Jessica Rabbit would be tempting to see.