HDC Weekly Debate: Sequel or Remake?

[_____V_____]

I have been going through some of the older threads, and came across a discussion which me and Urge had been having about this topic.

And, let's face it, remakes are making money. I need to point no further than Rob Zombie's Halloween, which made a shitload at the box-office and was also (half-)appreciated by horror critics and fans.

Add to it, a movie like, say, Freddy vs Jason, a sequel (of sorts) to Jason Goes To Hell, which did pretty well at the box office. Not to mention appreciation to Jason X, and Wes Craven's New Nightmare etc.

So, where do these particular flicks stand today? Can a sequel still score with audiences worldwide?

OR

Are remakes scoring way better than sequels? If that is so, then how come my thread on Alien 5 is generating so many hits per day?

Can we appreciate a good sequel to our favorite franchises, much like we have been appreciating some quality remakes recently? Or should filmmakers (and studios) close the doors on sequels, and concentrate on bringing more remakes to the screen?

Your turn to discuss.

[massacre man]

Really it just depends on the product. Remakes are normally released to some success, they don't spend much on it and make their money back. Then sequels are unleashed in Summer and make tons of profit. So neither are going anywhere.

For my opinion, I don't care. It depends on how much I enjoyed the final product (for me at least) not whether it was a remake, sequel, adaptation or original film.

[neverending]

Well, most everyone knows how I feel about remakes. I don't care how popular they are, I hate them. Hollywood is on a quest to remake everything, so debate is really moot. They'll make them until people stop going to see them.

Sequels are not much better, but occasionally there are sequels that are excellent films in their own right. My personal fave horror film is a sequel- Bride of Frankenstein.

[ferretchucker]

I like both but I prefer sequels as you (usually) see where your characters or the situation has travelled to since you last saw it, and how what happened previously has affected different things. But then, sometimes they just don't know where to leave a story and they draw it out to the point where you don't care.

Remakes however, are a new persons look on it and though interesting, they have nothing to do with a film you once loved so a lot of people are dissapointed by the difference, though remakes should really be judged on their own, and not compared to what they are remaking.

So they both have good and bad points, but I think I'd rather see a sequel than a remake.

[_____V_____]

Let's put the question in an easier way...


Friday the 13th part XI (OR) Friday the 13th remake?



Better yet,


Freddy vs Jason 2 (OR) A Nightmare on Elm Street / Friday the 13th remake?



I think I have a good hunch which one would be preferable...



Quite honestly, a sequel brings about some kind of intrigue factor into the equation, which a remake doesn't. Even with the unique vision of any talented director and a dynamite script, you always have this nagging thought that it is still a re-hash of someone else's basic idea/plot.

Although, the same goes for bad sequels too...

[massacre man]

I wouldn't want any of those movies... But a new Nightmare sequel about just Freddy I would look forward to.

I don't like Friday the 13th and the only reason I'd pick a Freddy sequel is because of Robert Englund returning as Freddy and Jason isn't in it.

[newb]

I would choose a sequel over a straight out "remake". They can take it in different directions and put a new spin on a story.

I don't mind a "re imagining" if you will....i.e John Carpenters "The Thing" or even Zombies "Halloween" to some extent....the back story shedding some light on Michael's behavior. But something like the remake of "Psycho" with its frame by frame copy of the original.....theres just no need for that.

[missmacabre]

I personally like remakes better. You get to see a different perspective on an old favourite.

Sure Zombie's Hallowe'en wasn't great, but it was different. He has his own way of looking at things, and he's good at making twisted, white trash filled movies. I would rather see that than the exact same boring carnage with a slightly different plot, that no one is paying attention to anyway. When it comes to remakes, yes they are made because they can gain a lot of money at the box office, but they have to put a certain amount of creativity into the project, otherwise it is going to be the exact same as the original.

Sequels have the potential to be great, but they tend to be watered down versions of the original when it comes to writing, with amped up blood/gore/action/violence. That's becauase they are made based directly on the success of the original and usually get rushed in production because they wouldn't want people forgetting about how much they loved seeing the first movie. Let's not forget the endless string of bad sequels, and shark jumpings that have happened with horror movies in the past.

but I'll definately go see a sequel if it's been given lots of thought and time was put into it.

[The_Assassin]

I will always return.

- The Assassin

[Despare]

I like a good sequel just as much as I enjoy a good remake but I wish we would get a lot of original (or semi-original) delivered to us as well. It seems like studios are forgetting to release new IPs along with the barrage of sequels and remakes.

[urgeok2]

no different to me than someone covering an old song.

they'll either make it identical .. which seems pointless - but no harm done.

or they'll add something to make it their own while still doing the origional justice..

or some incompitent bum will fuck it up.


whatever - i dont really care .. i'll see the good ones, avoid the bad.

i think the film that suprised me the most was the Dawn of the Dead remake. I liked it. I didnt think it possible - but it was a good film and i enjoyed it.


so really - the only film that's ever been remade that i just cant bring myself to see - is Alfie. It's the only one i still cant get my head around.

[Noah]

Sequels definitely.... They're more original (well most times) than the remakes are. Or at least the idea is or should be. It's the following of a beloved story or character you've enjoyed in the past, to see what new shit they're up to. Or a continuation of the first movie (Halloween/Halloween 2, Kill Bill, etc.).

Though some remakes have fucking OWNED the originals.... The Hills Have Eyes 2006, TCM 2003 are a couple that come to mind, IMO.

So yeah, I like both. But the edge goes to sequels for me.

[The Mothman]

Sequels. for example, wouldnt you all love to see an Evil Dead sequel rather than a remake?

[The Mothman]

Though some remakes have fucking OWNED the originals.... TCM 2003

you're joking, right?

[Noah]

you're joking, right?

No sir. The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre was complete garbage in my mind. I put it on, the first half was a snooze-fest, the second half was nothing but non-stop irritating screaming. It was bullshit, and a complete disappointment.

[The Mothman]

the remake was complete garbage. and didnt in any way shape or form stand out from any other hollywood shit horror movies that were coming out around the time.

[neverending]

No sir. The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre was complete garbage in my mind. I put it on, the first half was a snooze-fest, the second half was nothing but non-stop irritating screaming. It was bullshit, and a complete disappointment.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahahaha...


OMG

[Noah]

Laugh all you want.

You know about the whole "opinions" and "assholes" thing.... Everyone's got one. I stand beside my statement, and am whole-heartedly serious. TCM Original was a steaming turd. But if you enjoyed it, more power to ya friends. ;)

[_____V_____]

Sacrilege! :eek:

Dare I make a suggestion - pop it in sometime soon and watch it again (clear your mind of any impressions the TCM remake made), and just think of a movie theater experience from the 70s...you might change your viewpoint.

Hopefully.

[neverending]

Laugh all you want.

You know about the whole "opinions" and "assholes" thing.... Everyone's got one. I stand beside my statement, and am whole-heartedly serious. TCM Original was a steaming turd. But if you enjoyed it, more power to ya friends. ;)

It's one thing to state your opinion. It's another to label a horror film that is universally lauded as not only a groundbreaking, landmark film, but also one of the greatest horror films ever, as a "steaming turd." That my young friend, is factually innacurate. If it was, it wouldn't enjoy the position in the horror pantheon it does.

[massacre man]

Laugh all you want.

Okay.

Hahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaahahahahahahahahaha aaaaaaaaa
hahahahaahahahahahahaahahahahaa
hahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah ahahahaa
hahahahahhahahhahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaaaa aa

[Noah]

Okay.

Hahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaahahahahahahahahaha aaaaaaaaa
hahahahaahahahahahahaahahahahaa
hahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah ahahahaa
hahahahahhahahhahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaaaa aa


Good times. :)