Remaking a movie is like this old joke: dating your wife after you divorced her is like drinking curdled milk, putting it in the refrigerator and thinking that it will once again leave a good taste in your mouth.
Here’s something that could be also be seen as tasteless:
The news out that Steven Spielberg is seriously thinking of remaking “West Side Story.” Is it because one of the gangs is named “Sharks” and he has experience with them? ” Hasn’t this sacred cow been milked enough?
Wouldn’t it be better if Mr. Spielberg remade “Jaws?”
Wait a second…he just might!
A listing on the movie website Mandy.com noted:
“We are seeking all crew positions for the upcoming Jaws reboot.” To prove it could be a fake, MSN News even e-mailed Universal Studios for a comment, but hasn’t heard back (always a good sign that the news is true!)
It’s bad enough that Hollywood’s butchering 1960’s musicals (i.e. the cringe-worthy “Sound of Music”). Just because Spielberg has jumped the shark, doesn’t mean he has to film them. What ‘60’s fare is next? “Thoroughly Modern Millie;” starring the remain(s) of Milli Vanilli?
But there are just so many musicals that can be made–while there never seems to be an end to the many “Spiderman” in theaters! Can’t Hollywood ever get off the “Remake merry-go-round” and try a different tact—as in creating something…or ANYONE original!? After all an original character = a new ride at Disneyland = a toy-give-away at “Burger King” = bigger bucks than the movie it came from.
But the chances you’ll see an original picture is higher than the chance that you’ll see a picture of Putin moon-walking into a gay bar. After all, money is the eye opener and eyes are opened wide at the money that “Robocop” is pulling in. So much money (worldwide: $180 million!), that there’s talk of a sequel of the “Robocop” remake—no doubt called a “re-quel?”
So brace yourselves for more 2-3 hour cases of cinematic “deja-vu for dollars” on the big screen for this year—and beyond!
CLICK HERE to see the movie trailer for the original “West Side Story” (1961), directed by Robert Wise.