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Best Remakes, Reboots and Re-imaginings of the Last Half Decade (2005-2010)

I suspect this list may please some readers, but ultimately will likely stir a general dere to sling feces in my direction. I’m okay with that. I’m a firm believer that it takes all kinds to enjoy all kinds, and I try to keep that motto alive in my mind, so as not to get too pissed off at others when I disagree, or gush when I do.

Remakes, reboots and re-imaginings constitute sketchy discuson. Some of us love them, some of us hate them, some of us are completely indifferent, and a few of us out there are too damn young to realize that half of their favorite horror movies were alive and kicking a few decades ago, sans the computer generated imagery.

I personally don’t care all too much either way. Don’t get me wrong, it’s highly aggravating to see the creativity slowly leak from Hollywood studios, but I understand the motivation: the mighty dollar. I also understand that the best thing a viewer can do when heading in to check out a remake, is head in with a clear mind, and zero expectations. You’re more likely to form an honest opinion of the picture if you don’t purchase your ticket with an Olympic zed pool full of preconceived notions in your head.

Check out a few picks, spanning the second half of the last decade, and don’t flame me straight to Hell if you disagree!

2005

http://youtu.be/kbCfuFJ30t4

House of Wax: This remake really doesn’t remain incredibly faithful to either of its two predecessors (the 1953 rendition of the same title, 1933’s Mystery of the Wax Museum), but it’s a fun little viewing experience all the same. Anytime in which I get to see Paris Hilton killed onscreen is a plus in my life. Throw in solid performances from Jared Padalecki, Chad Michael Murray and Elisha Cuthbert and some damn entertaining gore and you’ve got yourself a damn decent remake. House of Wax certainly has its flaws, but it’s enjoyable, no doubt.http://youtu.be/MJYnHA2OzfA

War of the Worlds: Obviously more science fiction than horror, War of the Worlds does offer some frightening sequences and a hint of savagery. The cinematography and post production is gorgeous, creating a real vintage feel to the picture. I can’t pretend to be a big Tom Cruise fan, but I’ve got to give credit where credit is due: this Steven Spielberg helmed remake is awesome!

2006

http://youtu.be/tUoJqahj338

The Hills Have Eyes: Alexandre Aja’s rendition of Wes Craven’s original shocker is superb and arguably superior to the original (I don’t see much argument, but purists will still swear by Craven’s interpretation) 1977 offering. The gore is elevated tremendously, the sadistic nature of the film exceeds that of the original, and the acting is impresve. This is one of the few contemporary remakes that I’ll stand behind 100 percent.

http://youtu.be/_wfEziDWLj0

The Omen: Make no mistake about it, John Moore’s 2006 take on this decades old tale is filled with uhh, really? moments. That said, Liev Schreiber is fantastic, and there are a few death scenes that are so far superior to the original it’s almost unbelievable. If you don’t get a kick out of a couple of the death scenes in this one… you must be insane! While I don’t find a whole lot of replay value in this specific remake, it’s a kick ass watch once over.

http://youtu.be/M8q9zRsZUvA

Black Christmas: I can hear it already “Oh no, he didn’t!” Yes, I did! I’m a masve, masve fan of Bob Clark’s original 1974 film of the same title, and I won’t t here and attempt to tell you that this ’06 remake can pretend to hold a candle to the original. However, I will say this: if you try to view this one as a standalone feature, and detach the title itself from the equation, you’re likely to enjoy it, at least a bit. The film’s color is gorgeous, as are the young ladies in front of the camera. There are some new twists to the story that don’t work well, but I’ll be damned if flesh cookies and… unpleasant tree toppers aren’t a whole lot of fun. Drink some beers, put your comedy face on and prepare for a raucous time. Notice I said ‘raucous’, and not ‘amazing’.

2007

http://youtu.be/IeQiSdznHGo

Halloween: It’s easy to argue that this is Rob Zombie’s best work-to-date. I’m not sure that is the greatest compliment however. The film suffers from some glaring pacing issues (it feels like two films stapled together) and predictable Zombieisms (the white trash family from which Myers suddenly comes from), but Rob does do some things very well. He successfully builds upon the Myers mythos, and fills in the misng years of the story pretty well. It’s also nice to see genre staples like Danny Trejo, Bill Moseley, Dee Wallace, and Ken Foree involved. Tyler Mane is a terrifying Myers, though I could do without the dirty heavy metal hairdo, he’s definitely a menacing figure.

http://youtu.be/Ec-70W_K77U

Funny Games: This shot for shot remake is unnerving, albeit not the most believable of concepts: If two teenage punks show up at my door and start some trouble, I’m beating the snot out of them to protect my family, plain and mple. That said the cinematography is great, and there are some unique techniques put to work (the fourth wall shatter, the extended ngle shot scene). The performances are fun, and by the time the final credits run, there’s definitely an unsettling emotion resting in the belly. While I’m not ordinarily huge on shot-for-shot remakes, you’ve got to love a film that ends on such a nister note.

http://youtu.be/cTR1vN0scKA

The Strangers: Here we have another foreign flick that earned the American remake treatment. Thank the stars it’s well assembled. The atmosphere is slightly inferior to David Moreau and Xavier Palud’s original piece, Ils, but it’s tense all the same. The motive behind the madness of the plot is brilliant, and the fact that the premise is loosely based on actual occurrences adds an extra dimenon of terror. Both Scott Speedman and Liv Tyler are great, and the relationship hurdles they deal with during the feature adds a nice outde-the-box feel to The Strangers.

2008

http://youtu.be/c7byl_mAaOE

Mirrors: Once again Aja makes the list. Though Mirrors certainly doesn’t pack the punch that The Hills Have Eyes offers, it’s still legitimately eerie in spots. While the picture differs in some key areas from Sung-ho Kim’s original Into the Mirrors, the adjustments can be argued as enhancements to the picture. I’m a big Reefer Sutherland fan, and in truth, he (for the most part) makes the movie. This is another one that may earn me some verbal barbs, but it’s better than a whole lot of Korean converts to hit the American market in recent years.

http://youtu.be/KoBh5S_aWwk

Quarantine: Like Funny Games, this one is just about a shot-for-shot remake of Paco Plaza’s . Though the tenon of the original isn’t fully intact, there are some disquieting sequences that rival Quarantine’s Spanish source material. The performances are great (Jennifer Carpenter and Johnathon Schaech exude memorable charisma), and the jolts fly at the viewer with regularity. I conder Quarantine inferior to , but not by any zable margin.

2009

http://youtu.be/6rcoc46onlE

My Bloody Valentine: If you honestly believe this contemporary take on Harry Warden and the pick-axe from Hell is inferior to the 1981 original, you’re a deluonal purist (sorry to break it to you this late in life). Patrick Luser’s reboot adds layers of depth, mystery and character development that the original clearly lacked (though I am admittedly a fan). Jensen Ackles and Kerr Smith play oppote one another wonderfully, and believe it or not, this one actually boasts some fantastic 3D work. Let the past go, and accept this one for what it is: a bad ass modern slasher!

http://youtu.be/7MiJzZ7FQX0

Friday the 13th: Shall I attack the traditionalists again? No, I think not. Instead I’ll say this: the cast kicks ass (Jared Padalecki was born to play the hero just as Danielle Panabaker

was destined to be slaughtered in virtually every horror film in which she appears), the agile Jason Voorhees is a blast, the kills are creative, and there’s genuine character in the script (which mashes up the first four Friday films all in one, to surpring effect). Did I mention that on top of being an extremely warm, funny guy (I had the pleasure of interviewing the man during the Friday promotional run in ’09, at which point I learned that this masve man is actually a comedian!), Derek Mears is (dare I say) far more menacing than Kane Hodder behind that hockey mask?http://youtu.be/SqXnowJjfDc

The Last House on the Left: I enjoy the gritty, sadistic nature of Wes Craven’s original controversy stirring film (unlike many), however it’s cluttered with imperfections and moments of deep exploitative revulon. This contemporary take doesn’t twist the story up too much; rather it just puts a little shine on the rusty chrome, and smooth’s out some of the highly controveral scenarios proposed by the original. Most will likely agree with this selection, as Craven’s 1972 veron is generally loathed, even by die-hard fans.

http://youtu.be/KA3iusK4p78

It’s Alive: This one is a one-hitter-quitter. It’s got its fair share of technical deficiencies, but it’s certainly fun for a ngle viewing. Larry Cohen’s original 1974 tends to be condered hit-or-miss for most viewers, and I can see the same standpoint taken when assesng this remake. Just the same, it’s nice to see this film reignite interest in the original, and while I don’t enjoy it as much as its predecessor, I did find some tangible entertainment value attached. You’ll dig it, or you’ll hate it, but it’s worth at least one go-round!2010

http://youtu.be/E-w2tMjy134

The Crazies: The Crazies is quite posbly my favorite remake to earn mention in this article. I’ve always enjoyed George Romero’s original take, but I absolutely love Breck Eisner’s modern spin. It’s shocking, tenon filled, fairly gory and actually a bit frightening at times. The early subtlety of the film is genuinely haunting, and I’m pleased to say that the terror only escalates as the picture unfolds. Timothy Olyphant was destined to play the role of this Iowan Sheriff, while Joe Anderson is damn near flawless as Deputy Russell. The make-up effects are grand, and the finale is as rewarding as the opening act. This is one fantastic remake that should not go unnoticed!

http://youtu.be/2SulpWn6Glk

A Nightmare on Elm Street: Here we go with what many will conder another highly suspect selection. I confess there are some serious technical flaws that plague this picture, namely pacing and character development (we’re supposed to care about Nancy!). However, Jackie Earle Haley is creepy as hell, in both human form and scarred post-mortem monstrous guise. I love the fact that a lot of the humor that began to drag the Nightmare franchise into unbearable territory is trimmed down, just as I love the look of the make-up work (if you don’t feel Haley’s Krueger looks the more realistic burn victim than Englund’s, you’ve never seen a severe burn victim). The additional plot additions (Krueger is finally clearly outlined as the molester that was always hinted at and the incluon of the micro-nap details are both wonderful embellishments) are fun, and add a bit of new substance to an old story. In addition to Haley, Kyle Garner also offers a fantastic performance.http://youtu.be/9u8vZwvP57Y

Predators: This one is a tricky pick, as it’s not really a remake, not really a reboot, and not exactly a sequel. Just the same, it fits the same mold as the other films in this piece. If you haven’t seen this one yet, see it, it’s awesome! Adrien Brody is an excellent lead, who I find more endearing than Schwarzenneger (probably because he actually possesses highly refined acting abilities, rather than mple brawn), and he’s got a great group of supporting actors to keep things fresh, including Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace and Danny Trejo. The action is balls-to-the-wall from the opening moments, and never truly slows down. A fine twist caps off one hell of a movie here! Clearly one of the best films to make this list!

http://youtu.be/SkF5VMRJGek

Piranha 3D: Like Predators, this one isn’t exactly a remake, but it’s a solid reimagining, that’s for sure. The gore is absolutely off the hook; you won’t find too many contemporary mainstream offerings that boast the blood, guts, and fileted flesh that this one boasts. The story is outrageous, but strangely engaging, and Jerry O’Connell is absolutely grand as the party animal, would-be Joseph Francis. Toss in plenty of nudity and some kick ass cameos from the likes of Christopher Lloyd and Eli Roth and you’re eying a stunningly entertaining flick!

http://youtu.be/reRRAEVHq8E

Let Me In: I won’t tell you that Let Me In rivals the original Swedish feature, Let the Right One In, but I will tell you that it’s got a few sequences that are actually superior to the original feature. For one, while we lose the haunting atmosphere of, Let the Right One In, we gain monumental strides in terms of pacing and coheon. The story feels much more straight-forward, and the downtime is all but eliminated. The performances of Kodi Smit-McPhee and Chloe Moretz certainly rival those of Kåre Hedebrant and Lina Leandersson, and Elias Koteas and Richard Jenkins are terrific. My only complaint with this one lies within a few questionable CGI sequences, which Let the Right One In wisely avoided by leaning on practical effects.

http://youtu.be/2zU3U-9B3fE

I Spit on Your Grave: This one is a bit of a no-brainer. Meir Zarchi’s original 1978 feature feels sadistic, chauvinistic, overtly vile and absolutely nothing more. The remake follows the same formula, but director Steven R. Monroe incorporates a hint of humanity and a whole lot more compason, which make for a much eaer viewing experience, although the picture is still clearly harrowing as all Hell. In the end the results are fairly milar, though this remake is far more spirited, and definitely conscious of its intentions; Zarchi’s yarn feels like nothing more than a means to demoralize women, while Monroe empowers the female gender much more effectively.

I agree with most, disagree with some, which is expected. I did like your take on My Bloody Valentine 3-D, which i thought was very enjoyable (although I think I still prefer the original ending). Remakes are a necessary evil in the horror industry.

Well everyone is going to have their own take on remakes and while I was nodding my head, agreeing with several on your list...some on here just made my jaw drop. Unfortunately there is no way I can posbly see Black X-mas as something good and that is NOT because I'm a big fan of the original. I find the original to be pretty slow and I need to be wide awake to watch that one. It's good but has so much room for improvement. This is why I was so shocked at how poorly the remake came out. I thought it was completely lly and one of the worst movies I've seen. I couldn't find any redeeming quality about it...not even a so-bad-it's-good attitude. However, I have not seen it nce my first viewing and I could try and give it another go. It would not be the first time if I return to a movie I hate and end up enjoying it.

Also, it's rare when I hear potive things about the Nightmare on Elm Street remake. While I am not a big fan of the newer cast and no one could replace Englund...I enjoyed the changes and liked it quite a bit.

Another movie I would have added...28 Days Later because Boyle even credits the original Day of the Dead script for that one.

Great list. I always enjoy seeing how others make of all these remakes/reboots/re-imaginings. :)

Did you really just convince me to attempt to watch Black Christmas (2006) with an open mind? All i can do is try. The original is my all time favorite.

Well everyone is going to have their own take on remakes and while I was nodding my head, agreeing with several on your list...some on here just made my jaw drop. Unfortunately there is no way I can posbly see Black X-mas as something good and that is NOT because I'm a big fan of the original. I find the original to be pretty slow and I need to be wide awake to watch that one. It's good but has so much room for improvement. This is why I was so shocked at how poorly the remake came out. I thought it was completely lly and one of the worst movies I've seen. I couldn't find any redeeming quality about it...not even a so-bad-it's-good attitude. However, I have not seen it nce my first viewing and I could try and give it another go. It would not be the first time if I return to a movie I hate and end up enjoying it.

Also, it's rare when I hear potive things about the Nightmare on Elm Street remake. While I am not a big fan of the newer cast and no one could replace Englund...I enjoyed the changes and liked it quite a bit.

Another movie I would have added...28 Days Later because Boyle even credits the original Day of the Dead script for that one.

Great list. I always enjoy seeing how others make of all these remakes/reboots/re-imaginings. :)

interesting thoughts - though theres no way that 28 Days is a remake of Day, with the exception of military presence, they're not even remotely near milar. I think Boyle may have credited Day as inspiration, it certainly isnt a remake, the stories are miles apart.

I know the Black X Mas pick is going to throw everyone off. And as I had said, its certainly not a great film - but it has a few redeeming qualities that enable me to enjoy it. I've never been close to bored with the original (technically its about as close to a masterpiece as you can get), but it's CLEARLY a completely different type of movie.

the remake is just bacally retarded :)

Whether or not I agree or disagree with your list (though I did think The Omen did a fair job in capturing the spirit of the original, I must say), what really disturbs me is the NUMBER of remakes you were able to pull in such a small period. Surely someone can come up with a few new ideas?

Thank you for saying that the Nightmare remake was good. Here I was thinking I was the only one who enjoyed it. A lot of these movies I haven't seen or have only seen one veron so I can't compare too much, but in general I don't mind remakes, reboots, sequels, etc. They're kind of like a double-edged sword: if there was never another Halloween or Nightmare movie made (whether it be remake or sequel) then the fans would complain and beg for more, but when the new movie finally gets made they dissect it and compare it to the previous ones that everyone starts to hate it. Just watch the movies as new movies and with an open mind and you'll find yourself enjoying the movie that you previously thought should never have happened.

I have a problem with none of these.....Except for Nightmare...I'm sorry...I just honestly didn't like it. Jackie was GOOD. But he didn't scare me. The make up was great as well. But I just hated the movie. I hated it on multiple levels. It wasn't anything against Jackie. But he just wasn't Freddy to me. I went into the movie with low expectations so I could relax and enjoy. But the movie just set me on edge immediately and not in a good way. All in all it was like watching a train wreck. It's so horrid. But I couldn't look away. But that's just my opinion.

I agree with you on the most part, but Black Christmas? Seriously? The original is far more superior. Yes, it starts out slow and the acting by Olivia Hussy is not the best, but the mystery of the killer and lack of a background of why he kills is the best part of that movie. I remember going to the movies and paying to see this remake and wanting my money back as well as the hour and a half I spend subjected to that piece of crap. Black Christmas is one of the best slasher/ stalker movies ever made and has one of the best endings in horror movie history!

I agree with you on the most part, but Black Christmas? Seriously? The original is far more superior. Yes, it starts out slow and the acting by Olivia Hussy is not the best, but the mystery of the killer and lack of a background of why he kills is the best part of that movie. I remember going to the movies and paying to see this remake and wanting my money back as well as the hour and a half I spend subjected to that piece of crap. Black Christmas is one of the best slasher/ stalker movies ever made and has one of the best endings in horror movie history

did you read my breakdown?

I’m a masve, masve fan of Bob Clark’s original 1974 film of the same title, and I won’t t here and attempt to tell you that this ’06 remake can pretend to hold a candle to the original. However, I will say this: if you try to view this one as a standalone feature, and detach the title itself from the equation, you’re likely to enjoy it, at least a bit.

I thought the Last house on the left remake was decent.

However, the microwave scene at the end was a bit dumb.The worst though was probably Friday the 13th!! Holy SHIT that was terrible!! ...REALLY!? Literally NO police search-parties for over a decade could find this cabin with running electricity in a KNOWN aria, the middle of the fucking woods!?

But ANY group of douche-bags in their late 20's constantly seem to trip over the place!? WTF!? ...

Even if your gonna try to tell me that "Jason" had a power generator, why wouldn't they just follow the guy who's been stealing gas from the same fucking location for over 10 fucking years!? That doesn't make a gaddamn bit of sense! lol!

Oh yeah!

"Say hi to your Mother for me! IN HELL"..... Seriously!? (face palm)

I thought the Last house on the left remake was decent.

However, the microwave scene at the end was a bit dumb.The worst though was probably Friday the 13th!! Holy SHIT that was terrible!! ...REALLY!? Literally NO police search-parties for over a decade could find this cabin with running electricity in a KNOWN aria, the middle of the fucking woods!?

But ANY group of douche-bags in their late 20's constantly seem to trip over the place!? WTF!? ...

Even if your gonna try to tell me that "Jason" had a power generator, why wouldn't they just follow the guy who's been stealing gas from the same fucking location for over 10 fucking years!? That doesn't make a gaddamn bit of sense! lol!

Oh yeah!

"Say hi to your Mother for me! IN HELL"..... Seriously!? (face palm)it's called suspenon of disbelief brother. you're annoyed with the fact that no one has found this guy who's got running electricity (which they pretty much explain away in the film, as the locals obviously knows of Jason's existence, and openly "avoid" his presence), yet you don't mention the fact that the original tale itself is ludicrous to the fullest? Is it okay that the kid drown years ago, yet popped up a full grown man, once more alive, now unstoppable, after his mother was beheaded?

It's horror brother, things like electricity and law interference should be over lookable aspects of a horror film. If you have issues with plot points like that, you should probably never be able to enjoy a ngle genre film, as they pretty much all contain some form of idiocy to the plot (at least 98.9% at least).

i agree with the microwave scene in LHOTL - but everybody and their mother has complained about that - we know: you can't start a microwave with the door open. Again, suspenon of disbelief; it is after all a movie, meant to entertain, not portray everyday life to a supremely accurate T.

Fuckin A the genre would suck balls if that were the case.

I loved the the nightmare on elm st in my opinion it makes up for the crappy sequels we got after the 3rd one was made even when me and my friend watched it to be honest we are both not much krugar fans we were doing nothing but talking about how it might go from there and also i loved the dark freddy than a pure comedy one.

I agree with every ngle one of yours. When I read the title, I was expecting NOT to see Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and ESPECIALLY Black Christmas.

I love all 3 of those, and I could ot agree more with every ngle choice on this list. Good job!

it's called suspenon of disbelief brother. you're annoyed with the fact that no one has found this guy who's got running electricity (which they pretty much explain away in the film, as the locals obviously knows of Jason's existence, and openly "avoid" his presence), yet you don't mention the fact that the original tale itself is ludicrous to the fullest? Is it okay that the kid drown years ago, yet popped up a full grown man, once more alive, now unstoppable, after his mother was beheaded?

It's horror brother, things like electricity and law interference should be over lookable aspects of a horror film. If you have issues with plot points like that, you should probably never be able to enjoy a ngle genre film, as they pretty much all contain some form of idiocy to the plot (at least 98.9% at least).

i agree with the microwave scene in LHOTL - but everybody and their mother has complained about that - we know: you can't start a microwave with the door open. Again, suspenon of disbelief; it is after all a movie, meant to entertain, not portray everyday life to a supremely accurate T.

Fuckin A the genre would suck balls if that were the case.

It's true Matt.. About 95% of movies I see are completely retarded to me. And I think way too critically for "suspenon of disbelief"..

I really don't believe in it.

I disagree with the author on "Black Christmas" (2006). I haven't seen the original yet and I still want my (time/length of movie) back. So bad, I almost wonder about the original. However, I can not judge a book by its cover so I do plan on watching the original soon.

so awesome you included Nightmare on Elm Street. I loved every second of the remake, and youre right... The dude that played Quentin gave a beastie performance... He actually looked, moved and acted like his body was in severe pain because of the lack of sleep. Bravo my man.

Great list again... but Mirrors...

I definitely think Halloween Rob Zombie was the best remake. Altough I still think the storyline to the orinigal was creepier, I still LOVED Rob Zombies remake. I don't think he should of ruined it with the sequal though. I didn't really care for it because it ruined to creepyness to the first one. In the oringal John Carpenter Halloween it was creepier in my opinion because the boy had two happy parents who seemed to love him, leading you to wonder how he became so crazy? In the remake by Rob Zombie they changed things up a little and made it look like his family life at home was crap and his step dad was a drunk, and his mom was a stripper.. therefore it's not supring were he got his depreson leading him to anger. The kills were GREAT though. The sound effects were spot on and I loved the acting. I thought Rob Zombie did great his mask and I thought the young boy who played Michael as a child did a great job as well. I am a huge fan of the Halloween movies and I always will be.

This was actually a fairly well put together list. I definitely agree with you on some and others are suspect but I like to give everything a fair chance. I have to go back and see a few of the originals to make a proper judgement call but honestly...if a movie is bad...its bad. Doesn't matter if the story is being remade or not. If it sucks it sucks.

with that being sad

I prefer the remake of Prom Night to the original lol just throwing that out there.