8 Horror Movie Remakes That Are Better Than The Originals
Or, horror movie... SCREAM-akes. Right? Guys?
Because horror movies are so reliant on the quality of the special effects and the authenticity of the makeup, up-to-date remakes usually have a distinct advantage in that they have access to a more advanced pool of resources than the previous generation of filmmakers did.
Horror flicks are also easily capable of generating high returns off small budgets - anyone with access to a spooky house, a creepy mask and something stabby could whip up a half-decent flick in a matter of weeks - so it's no surprise that studios frequently revisit cult classics or fan-favourites and give them a modern lick.
The genre has seen an insane amount of remakes over the years - probably more so than any other type of film. It's not all good (hello Rob Zombie's Halloween, 2013's Carrie and the recent Flatliners), but hidden in all the rubbish are plenty of gems that are worth your time.
The word "remake" usually has quite a stigma attached to it, but ultimately, they can only be a good thing. If they're bad, they'll at least draw attention to the superior older version, and if they're good - like in the following cases - we'll have a more refined version of the original movie.
8. Funny Games (2007)
It would almost be embarrassing if 2007's Funny Games wasn't better than the 1997 film of the same name.
Why? Well... they're directed by the same person.
While making the original, director Michael Haneke was forced to set the film in Austria, despite wanting to make a film set in the United States. The final product, while engaging, didn't make much of a splash due to the fact that it featured unknown actors and all the dialogue was in German.
So, a decade later, Haneke revisited his piece and was able to refine it, in large part due to the addition of superior actors - Tim Roth and Naomi Watts, a family forced to play a sadistic game - that were able to deliver better, more convincing performances.
Funny Games is disturbing, deliberately provocative and fully conscious of the audience's expectations. Just when it seems like things are looking up for the protagonists, Haneke pulls the rug from beneath their feet, and ours (keep an eye on that TV remote).
The villains speak in a sarcastic, self-aware manner - like they know they're in a movie - almost questioning why you'd want to watch innocent people be tortured for 90 minutes. It's deliciously thought-provoking, in a Cabin In The Woods sort-of way.
And, because most of this subtext is conveyed through the dialogue, and the inflection of the words, Funny Games just doesn't have the same impact when delivered in German. The remake is more professionally made, easier to understand, and boasts stronger performances, so clearly comes out on top.