As the horror remake explosion continues in Hollywood, true fans of the genre are left in limbo deciding whether to embrace it or to take offense. It must be realized that these films can carry equal weight to the most sorrowful dramas and the most hilarious comedies. There is a delicate balance that exists as directors line up to remake these classics and one must discern whether their intentions are altruistic or parasitic. How do we begin to separate the respectful pilgrims from the marauding thieves? Well, for one, there is an earnestness in their approach marked with a humble disposition that guards the legacy. However, one must stay vigilant and be ready to act when the louse appears ready to grow fat off the back of horror history. In an effort to preempt these mischievous interlopers, Feature Film Review has compiled the list of remakes below that may not transcend the original, but get it right……spirit and mind. (God have mercy on anyone who ever touches The Exorcist.)
Original: Funny Games (1997)
Remake: Funny Games (2007)
One of the more controversial horror films of the ’90s, Funny Games is a captivating tale of torture and sadism. The story takes place over the course of day where a family is held hostage by two disturbed young men who like to play cruel games of consequence. However, the nature of director/writer Michael Haneke’s film is not simply a presentation of violence, but a commentary on society’s warped attraction to such material. The film is a slick satire that examines the allure of the macabre by toying with the horror film template. Funny Games hits the mark by forcing the audience to look inward, but it also serves as quality representation of the horror genre that Haneke is calling into question. This irony, along with Haneke’s creative vision and impressive acting, make this Austrian addition to horror an engaging, yet demanding, experience. (more…)
Give credit to the original Cat People for being the first to even attempt to bring this crazy storyline to the screen. At first glance, the idea of Serbian cat-women roaming the streets does not seem that enticing; however, the film proves its doubters wrong. The lead actors, Simone Simon and Kent Smith, do not impress, but the film’s cinematography and style does. French director Jacques Tourneur (see I Walked with a Zombie) dazzles the audience with rich contrast courtesy of his noir-like lighting and feel. The film does lack continuity, but Tourneur delivers some wonderful set pieces that are beautifully designed and work to create the film’s chilling atmosphere. More of a cult classic than a master work, there is much to admire in this early addition to the horror genre. 
Wes Craven shocked mid-70’s drive-in audiences with his twisted tale of violence concerning a vacationing family stranded in the desert badlands. They soon are reduced to merely frightened playthings of a band of mutant savages that close in on their makeshift camp over the course of a night and a day. One by one, they are tortured and murdered until only a couple of youths exact fitting revenge. Michael Berryman’s bald deviant “Pluto” earned honorable mention in the category of horror antiheros, and the story was retold in an awful mid-‘80s sequel. 
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