What’s Wrong With A Reboot?
In the land of reboots, we all have our opinions. How can you not compare them to the original, or the original before the ‘original’? Batman and Superman anyone?
Some have succeeded and some have failed, with each attempt conjuring apprehension and criticism. Loyal fans of classic films and long standing franchises can be fiercely protective of their beloved characters and to those who attempt to remake a classic, they better brace themselves for some harsh feedback.
Franchise favorites such as Star Trek, had quite the big shoes to fill. With characters such as Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Captain Kirk (William Shatner) as pop culture staples, attempting a reboot was far from ambitious. Two movies already under the reboot belt; Star Trek released in (2009), and Star Trek Into the Darkness (2013), a third film is scheduled for release this July 2016. Fans have embraced the younger crew of the starship Enterprise and brought the stories of space travel to a whole new audience. I’d call this a victory in the world of reboot struggles. Check out the new trailer here.
Is there a secret formula that leads to reboot’s success? Perhaps there are just too many variables to calculate. Will the actors do the original characters justice? Will the story hold up? How will the look and feel of the film be treated?
Batman has made several attempts over the years with various remakes, each time passing the torch of the title role to a new actor. Most fans are still trying to ignore some of the more disastrous efforts; sorry Batman and Robin. Finally achieving a streak of triumph with Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises starring Christian Bale as Batman.
With the latest reboot slated to hit the theaters in July 2016, Ghostbusters seems to have already received a lot of criticism regarding the all-female cast starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones. Director, Paul Feig is looking for this reboot to have the “technology to be even cooler”, “really scary”, and “happen in our world today.” A fan of the first two films, Ghostbuster and Ghostbuster II, Feig isn’t looking to make a Ghostbusters III.
Understandably fans of the franchise may be apprehensive of how the film will mesh with our memories of cherished ghost professional characters; Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis), and Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson). In an interview for Entertainment Weekly, McCarthy takes the reaction in stride, “they are fictitious characters, [and] so are the original”, “it’s a movie”. When asked about how the gender factors into the film, Jones responded “It’s not a man thing, it’s not a woman thing. It’s a Ghostbuster thing.”
While the hubbub surrounding the new release has been a bit of a distraction, I for one am excited. I’m going into the theater with an open mind and ready for a good laugh and maybe even a fright!
Are you willing to give another reboot a chance?
Source: Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stones, USA Today
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