Over the past decade the horror industry has been inundated with remakes of classic horror films such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Prom Night, with Michael “This Scene Needs Another Explosion” Bay’s production company Platinum Dunes having capitalized on four of the biggest names in horror history. As these films continue to get released, the one question on the minds of everyone is “Why?”
The overwhelming response to these remakes is “why not?” Simply put, if you don’t like them or approve of them, just don’t see them. But for those who consider themselves die-hard horror fans, it goes beyond simply ignoring the desecration of a classic you grew up on and becomes a perfect example of what is truly wrong with the horror industry today.
While these films do spark an occasional flame of enjoyment or, in the case of the Last House on the Left remake, utter delight in the overall improvement of a lackluster film, the notion that the money, time and resources rebooting these franchises could be better spent on original projects by skilled writers and directors is infuriating.
This segues perfectly into the idea that the remakes serve as an excellent way to introduce a new generation to the iconic figures that have come to represent the genre. While this is not entirely lacking in credibility, it does do a great disservice to A) the lasting appeal of the original films, and B) the average intelligence of your standard Generation Z teenager. Much of experiencing horror is found in the discovery of not just new film with which to satisfy your bloodlust, but the old films that served as their inspiration. Although not likely, an amped-up Jason Voorhees in the Friday the 13th redux can lead to a casual dismissal of the film that inspired it, and that, frankly, is an abomination unto the lords of horror.
Some people consider horror to be a dying genre, and sadly, the horror remake is a double-edged sword. Although there overall financial success tends to bring much needed attention to the genre as whole, the attention is usually negative, as most of the films do little more than rehash tired plot devices and conventional scare tactics to keep the viewer hooked. In the end, the film is but a blip on the radar, which goes against everything the horror genre stands for.
Fear is the most visceral of all the emotions, and nothing serves as a better medium to awaken the slumbering beast that lies within us all and make us feel truly alive. Horror remakes do not do this, causing the genre to lose its credibility among even the most dedicated of fans. Thankfully, there still remains those who feel the fear coursing through their veins, dedicated to making the very best horror has to offer.
For reviews of the remakes mentioned in this article, visit here.
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