This is the last installment of my current Spotlight On…Remakes series. I might return to this topic in the future but for now enjoy part 5!
The Time Machine
Released: 1960
Directed by: George Pal
Starring: Rod Taylor, Alan Young
Plot: H.G Wells creates a time machine that he uses to travel in time. After a couple of adventures he eventually ends up in October 12, 802,701 and meets the apathetic Eloi, and monstrous Morlocks.
For: Old school adventure / Rod Taylor is Australian! / The 2nd coolest time machine / the time lapse effect showing the world changing is awesome
Against: Some poor acting / Kinda racist – the Morlocks aren’t inherently evil, they just do what they do to survive. So why should they be wiped out? H.G laments the fate of the Eloi but doesn’t bat an eye to wiping out scores of Morlocks.
Favourite Scene: the Time travelling
Rating: 4 Lukes
The Time Machine
Released: 2002
Directed by: Simon Wells (and Gore Verbinski)
Starring: Guy Pierce, Samantha Mumba, Jeremy Irons
Plot: After his wife is killed, Dr. Alexander Hartdegen invents a time machine to go back and save her. When he is unsuccessful he travels to the future to find another means. There he meets the Eloi and monstrous Morlocks.
For: Guy Pierce is Australian! / Time travel sequences
Against: Simon Wells can’t direct (We’re Back!, Balto, Mars Needs Moms – case closed) / Samantha Mumba can’t act / Boring
Favourite Scene: None
Rating: 2 Lukes
Winner: The original classic by a long way
The Wicker Man
Released: 1973
Directed by: Robin Hardy
Starring: Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Eckland
Plot: Devout Christian, Sergeant Neil Howie of the West Highland Police, is investigating the disappearance of a young girl on the island of Summerisle. Confounded at every turn, and appalled by the pagan ceremonies the islanders perform, he eventually discovers that there is no missing girl, and he is who they wanted all along.
For: Incredibly creepy / Lee is awesome / Nicely shot
Against: The plot becomes incredibly obvious by halfway and Neil’s inability to figure it out becomes quite frustrating.
Favourite Scene: The end.
Rating: 3 Lukes
The Wicker Man
Released: 2006
Directed by: Neil LaBute
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Ellen Burstyn
Plot: Policeman, Edward Malus, is asked by his ex-fiancee to find her missing daughter Rowan. He travels to an island where a commune of neo-pagans live and produce honey. He eventually finds Rowan and discovers that she isn’t in any danger. But he is.
For: Features some of the best over the top Nic Cage scenes ever – seriously, check out this clip (all Wickerman) and this one (classic Nic Cage moments) for an awesome laugh – ‘Not the bees!’
Against: Everything else. This film is a travesty of cinema and the perfect example of how not to do a remake.
Favourite Scene: Everything in the Youtube clip 😛
Rating: 0.5 Lukes
Winner: Although I don’t think that the original Wickerman is worthy of the high praise some people feel it deserves, it is a masterpiece when compared to its disgraceful remake.
The Wolfman
Released: 1941
Directed by: George Waggner
Starring: Lon Chaney Jnr, Claude Rains, Evelyn Ankers
Plot: After learning of the death of his brother, Larry Talbot returns to his ancestral home to reconcile with his estranged father John Talbot. While there he meets and falls in love with antique shop owner Gwen. After saving Gwen’s friend from a wolf attack, Larry is informed that the wolf was actually a werewolf and now he is too. Struggling to retain his humanity, Larry eventually transforms into a werewolf and terrorises the village, until he is killed by his father.
For: Great SFX, atmospheric cinematography, Chaney Jnr gives it his all
Against: Can’t think of anything
Favourite Scene: The climax
Rating: 4 Lukes
The Wolfman
Released: 2010
Directed by: Joe Johnston
Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving
Plot: After learning of the death of his brother, Lawrence Talbot returns to his ancestral home to reconcile with his estranged father John Talbot. While there he falls in love with his brother’s fiancee Gwen. After saving a gypsy from a wolf attack he transforms into a werewolf and goes on a rampage.
For: Great SFX, atmospheric, Anthony Hopkins is great
Against: This was a passion project for Del Toro, so you’d think he would put in a bit more effort, but alas no, he sleepwalks through this film / Direction is lazy / Tone flip flops all over the place
Favourite Scene: The Wolfman gets revenge in the asylum
Rating: 2.5 Lukes
Winner: The original is a classic for a good reason.
Now, while the next three are technically not remakes, I thought it would be interesting to compare them, especially considering our last podcast featuring the War of the Worlds
The War of the Worlds
Released: 1953
Directed by: George Pal
Starring: Gene Barry, Ann Robinson
Plot: In an updated version of H.G.Wells’ novel, the Martians land in 1950’s California, and Dr Clayton Forrester struggles to survive their attack.
For: Awesome Academy Award winning special effects / the ‘manta ray’ style Martian war machines look and sound very cool / fun adventure
Against: The plot now includes a painfully obvious religious subtext, made most evident by the Martians beginning to die shortly after blasting a couple of Los Angeles churches.
Favourite Scene: Matian war machine first appearance
Rating: 5 Lukes
War of the Worlds
Released: 2005
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Justin Chatwin, Tim Robbins, Miranda Otto
Plot: Dockworker and deadbeat dad Ray Ferrier struggles to keep his children alive during an invasion by Martians.
For: FX are great / some great action set pieces, including the ferry and harvesting scenes / tripods look cool
Against: How did Robbie survive? It makes no sense and throws the whole plot out the window / none of the characters are likeable so I had no desire for them to succeed or live.
Favourite Scene: The Martians arrive riding the lightning / the crashed jet
Rating: 3 Lukes
H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds
Released: 2005
Directed by: David Michael Latt
Starring: C Thomas Howell, Jake Busey
Plot: Astronomer George Herbert struggles to survive a world ravaged by invaders from Mars
For: Direct to DVD cash-in, that is surprisingly not total crap / more of a horror take / some ok action sequences
Against: Acting is terrible, especially Busey / tripods changed to 6 legged walkers / poster a blatant rip-off of ID4
Favourite Scene: Can’t think of one
Rating: 2.5 Lukes
Winner: The original wins it. One of my favourite films and a classic of sci fi cinema.
So, what do you think NCP fans? Agree / Disagree? Let me know 🙂
