In Hollywood, making money is often more important than all else. That’s why cinemas are filled with so many sequels and comic book movies. An already established IP is easier to sell than something audiences have never heard of before. It’s the same reason why there are so many reboots and remakes. There was a wave of them in horror throughout the 2000s, and there continues to be across all genres with mixed results. For every success, such as Dune, there’s an unnecessary Disney live-action reboot, or a disastrous reimagining, like The Crow. Bill Skarsgård‘s turn as Eric Draven wasn’t exactly awful, but no one wanted to see a reboot of what Brandon Lee created. Some movies mean so much to audiences that they want them left alone forever. These eight classics fall into that category.
‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
The late Rob Reiner went through a streak of directing perfection throughout the 80s and 90s with instant classics like Stand by Me, Misery, and A Few Good Men, but for those who grew up with it, there’s a special place in the hearts of fans for The Princess Bride. Written by the legendary William Goldman, the fantasy film deftly blends adventure, comedy, and romance in the story of Westley’s (Cary Elwes) rescue of Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright).
There were rumors of a reboot of The Princess Bride years ago, which thankfully never came to be. How do you recapture the 80s magic? It’s a moment in time movie that can’t be redone with different actors to the same effect. There’s no one who can do what Mandy Patinkin and Wallace Shawn pulled off. Now, with Reiner sadly no longer with us, any idea of a remake should be put to rest forever. To make one now would be disrespectful to his legacy.
‘The Goonies’ (1985)
The Goonies is another 80s childhood classic which should never be touched. Not only is it for kids, but it stars them, making actors such as Josh Brolin, Sean Astin, and Corey Feldman huge stars. Based on a story by Steven Spielberg, written by Chris Columbus, and directed by Richard Donner, The Goonies sees a group of kids going on an adventure to save their homes by following a map that will take them to a pirate’s treasure.
There is absolutely no need for a remake of The Goonies. To do so would be to ignore what made the original so compelling. It’s not as easy as retelling the story. It’s the actors who make the journey so memorable. How could anyone else do what Jeff Cohen did as Chunk, or capture the energy of Ke Huy Quan’s Data? Any attempt would be cheap parody. Like Rob Reiner, Richard Donner is no longer around. Leaving one of his greatest movies alone is the best way to honor him.
‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)
For many, the first movie they ever saw or which made an impact on their lives was The Wizard of Oz. If you’re of a certain age, it’s what you watched every Thanksgiving on network TV. The Wizard of Oz was a larger-than-life spectacle, and it still is. The magic transcends across generations. Based on L. Frank Baum‘s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Victor Fleming somehow made this film and Gone With the Wind in the same year. As big as the latter is, even it can’t touch the fantastical journey Dorothy (Judy Garland) goes on.
There have been reimagining of sorts of The Wizard of Oz with Return to Oz and The Wiz, but an exact reboot of the movie that started it all wouldn’t work. It would be like reshaping an important part of your life with the flat gloss of modern Hollywood. The shock of seeing black and white turn into color would no longer hit. Seeing someone else sing the same songs Garland did only mimics the beauty of her performance. Continue to tell other stories in the world, like Wicked successfully did, but leave one of the most important movies ever made alone.
‘The Sound of Music’ (1965)
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An additional movie which has been passed down by families for decades is<em>The Sound of Music</em>. Directed byRobert Wise, this musical features an outstanding performance fromJulie Andrews, who plays Maria, a nun caring for seven von Trapp children while falling in love with their widowed father, Georg (<bChristopher Plummer). Set against Austria’s backdrop during Nazism’s rise, this film combines war’s seriousness with love’s joy through beautiful songs.
This film is steeped in nostalgia. To even attempt to reboot it would be ludicrous. There is no way to improve on what Julie Andrews pulled off. Any poor actress who took that risk would be set up for immediate failure and ridicule. If you want to seeThe Sound of Music, go check out showings of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s musicaland be swept away in a live performanceof this story. As for this movie, perfection shouldn’t be touched.
‘The Godfather’ (1972)
This film is not suitable for children but holds significant importance in cinema history. Based onMario Puzo’s novel,<bFrancis Ford Coppola‘s film dominatedthe seventiesand remains regarded as a perfect masterpiece.The drama surroundingthe changing Corleone family deliveredMarlon Brando‘s most famous roleand transformed<bAl Pacino‘ intoa mega star.
This film is untouchable.The early seventies filmmaking era had grit that’s hardto replicate.Coppola’s work was masterful.The performances can’tbe duplicated either.Pacinoand<bJames Caan‘s excellence launched decades-long careers at their peak.As for Brando,<bhow he approached Vito Corleone's speech patterns became oneof history's most imitated styles.For any actor attemptingto portray Vito would merelybe seenas an inferior parodyof Brando.Refuse any offerfor this reboot.
‘Forrest Gump’ (1994)
This film showcases<strongTom Hanks‘ remarkable run duringthe early nineties.After winninga Best Actor Oscarfor<strongPhiladelphia(1993), he followedit upwith an even morechallenging film.<bForrest Gump,an adaptationof<strongWinston Groom's novel,<boffersan enthralling lifelong journeyabouta mentally disabled manwho doesn't lethis perceived shortcomings slowhim down.It becameoneof1994's biggestand mostquotedmovies,resultingin anotherOscarfor Hanks.
A remake wouldn’t work todayfor several reasons.There’s no wayto improve uponwhat Hanksand director<bRobert Zemeckis‘ achieved.Their movieworks becauseit feelsfresh.Nothinglike thiswith its wide scopeand unique characterhad been donebefore.Remakingitwouldlose themagic.At thesame time,<bthis movie couldn't bemade todaybecausea Hollywood actorplaying someone mentally disabledis now seenas offensive.Any attemptwouldbe immediatelyrejected.
‘Jaws’ (1975)
This film inventedthe summer blockbuster.Steven Spielbergwas stillin his twentieswhen he craftedthis classic horroraction movieaboutacoastal townheld hostageby akiller great whiteshark.SpielbergusedJohn Williams’phenomenal scoreto compensatefor notseeingthe monsterfor long.At its core,<bJaws‘is morecharacter-driventhan akiller shark horror flickthanks tothe performancesof<bRoy Scheider,<bRichard Dreyfuss,<band<bRobert Shaw.
This film launchedafranchisewith each sequelbeing worse thanits predecessoruntilthestudio finallygave up.This didn’tmeanthat sharkmoviesdisappearedthough.Countlessoneshavebeenmadeover decades.That’swhythere doesn’tneedto beanother<bJaws.This filmis aboutthe score,charactersonly,and setting.To remakeit meansshowingthe sharkas soonas possiblewhich completelychangesits toneand Spielberg’s vision.
‘Back to the Future’ (1985)
No movie quitedefines “movie magic”<bBack to the Future.This filmby Robert Zemeckis,could’vebeen adisasterwith EricRobertsintheleadroleofMartyMcFly.It changedwhen MichaelJ.Foxcame onboard.Suddenly,<bBackto the Future became lightand coolwith abadassDeLorean time-travelmachineand afun partnershipwith quirkyDr.EmmettBrown.<bEverythingcame togetherbeautifullyto createperfection.
This thrillingtrilogy saweveryone wiselydecide to stopwhile they were aheadafterthree movies.It’s aworldthat hasneverbeen returnedto featurefilm.It shouldstaythat wayforever.Like<bJaws‘ isn’tall aboutashark,<bBackto the Future‘ isn’tabouttime travel.It’s high-energystoryand well-writtencharacterskeepus comingbackfor rewatches.No onecan copywhat MichaelJ.Foxand ChristopherLloyd did.Fromthe supportingcastto impeccablewritingand heartwarming scorefrom<bAlan Silvestri,bthere willneverbe awayto outdoourpast.
