Comments on: 10 Sci-Fi Films That Should Never Be Remade, and 5 That Probably Should Be

By: Glass

Glass — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:29:14 +0000

Um, you completely missed the point of 2001. The slow pacing on long stretches of seemingly nothingness all reflect the banality that space travel would produce. An astronaut would have to contend with staring at pitch black outer space for hours on end. Not only that, it's probably the only film in cinema which comes the closest to achieveing complete subjectivity.

Why should it be remade? To satisfy the people with gnat-like attention spans? What could a remake add? NO ONE would have such impeccable attention to detail like Kubrick.

By: MartinL

MartinL — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:25:08 +0000

None of my fellow 2001 fans likes Kubrick's epic because some received wisdom told them so. I first saw it in the theaters when I was 10 years old, and it blew me completely away, not just because of the special effects and the cool spacecraft, but because of the whole message, which I got. You'd like to see the film remade for the same reason people think the Beatles was just another guitar band; you don't get what that film represented, at the time of its release, to the world of science fiction, the larger culture and the world of film in general. 2001 was never intended to be just more fodder for the theater chains, and that's the only thing a remake could be — just as the sequel 2010 was utterly pointless and cringeworthy. It's like Van Sant remaking Psycho, for Christ's sake. The point of that was WHAT, exactly? If you assert that Clockwork Orange doesn't need a remake (and I agree — and what was the point of that TV remake of The Shining that King endorsed over Kubrick's version?), nor does Blade Runner — then you need to extend that same courtesy to 2001. A good film doesn't need to be made "relevant" to modern audiences; that's BSspeak for luring jaded mallrats into your jewelbox theaters and taking their money. Frankly, that's the only point of any remakes, ever; there's never been any artistic justification for it, but of course Hollywood's done it from the very first, purely because a remake will bring in decent initial box office due to the audience's curiosity as to what levels of tinselly perfidy the studios have sunk to NOW.

On the other hand, I'd love to see a decent remake of A Boy and His Dog — and I'll bet Harlan would, too. To begin with, NOT putting the denizens of the underground city in clown makeup would be a great start.

By: Rain StormRaider

Rain StormRaider — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:25:08 +0000

I get why people might not like or care for 2001, I detest almost anything related to Arthur C. Clarke outside of The Star, so I understand why it might not be enjoyed by some. I first saw 2001 a few years ago for an English Lit class at university. And it affected me very deeply. I know its boring and its austere but I wouldn't change a thing.

Movies become dated all the time, that doesn't mean that they require an update. In my opinion, it means that Hollywood needs to be more creative and make more original stuff rather than regurgitating the same things over and over again.

By: Sxx

Sxx — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:25:06 +0000

I am 100% with you re 2001. fuckin boring as!

By: Rob_Hunter

Rob_Hunter — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:25:05 +0000

To be clear, I wasn't saying 2001 needs to be remade for that reason or any other. I only stated that unlike the ten films listed above it, 2001 could actually benefit from a modern remake.

And who the fuck is Alex at FirstShowing?

By: Jim Rohner

Jim Rohner — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:25:05 +0000

Funny thing is I have watched 2001 all the way through. I love that film.

By: ScreenRant.com

ScreenRant.com — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:25:05 +0000

LOL, you're kidding, right? How can you write for FSR and not know who that is? :-P

Vic

By: Rob_Hunter

Rob_Hunter — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:25:05 +0000

I'd argue that Close Encounters really isn't a kid's movie in the first place…

And I love Logan's Run, but I think it could be improved with a remake that keeps the story and adult themes, but improves the effects, scope, and look of the film.

By: Alericc

Alericc — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:25:05 +0000

Ok I agree that CE is not a kids movie as well, but if I watch it now as an adult and fall asleep does my intial impression stand as valid?? lol

Serious Rob do you think that Hollywood will remake Logans Run with a cast as talented as the Stage Actors they employed on the first film, or keep it an "R" rating which will cut out the "kids" market?? They will Star Wars it. Simplify it down and add in elements that never existed and pare back the adult content leaving a shell of the original.

By: RobertFure

RobertFure — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:25:05 +0000

I think he may have been referring to this: http://tiny.cc/JVY5f

By: ScreenRant.com

ScreenRant.com — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:25:05 +0000

LOL, sorry – I'm a little slow on the uptake this morning. :-)

By: Rob_Hunter

Rob_Hunter — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:25:05 +0000

Yes, I was kidding. The joke was relevant a few months ago though, I swear.

By: dragonmum

dragonmum — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:25:05 +0000

I'm going to have to rent Time After Time – it's been ages since I've seen it, but I have to agree, it was a great movie, and a great vehicle for David Warner. And I need a copy of The Ice Pirates – just how could you possibly make it any better? It was the cheese factor that made it the classic it is. On the 2001 discussion, personally I could go either way. It's a brilliant movie that has more than a few very slow spots. I'm not happy that Logan's Run is being remade, but I'm trying to reserve judgement until plot changes & casting are announced. If they keep a strong script, a lot can be forgiven.

By: Ben

Ben — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:49:10 +0000

There’s no reason 2001 should be remade. The effects are fine, nothing visual particularly needs improvement. The fact that it’s paced slowly isn’t justification to remake it. It’s got ideas and a message and it presents them well.

Besides, we all know a remake would give HAL some sort of futuristic weapons system.

By: Davebaxter1989

Davebaxter1989 — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:08:41 +0000

I CAN NOT BELIEVE THE BLASPHEMY!

Don't Stop Believin' is a classic! :P