Americanized Remakes

[Q?]

I just saw Funny Games US yesterday on dvd and I saw a thread about the remake of Death at a Funeral from UK and I realized that this subject hasn't been covered much.
There's a lot to discuss, such as are there any real good reason for an americanized remake other than profit?
Just a reminder, foreign movies that are remade to the US!

A few examples of already made and upcoming:
Funny Games US - I think this is an exception, it very uncomfortable throughout and I thought it was well executed, maybe it's because the original director directed this? But ultimately not necessary as I've read that the original was just as good or something to that effect.
The Grudge - Well this is obvious and if you didn't like this one I recommend you to see the original and the sequel, Ju-on.
I remember I went with a friend to the cinema, we had absolutely no idea of what this was. We saw no trailers no nothing other than the poster for it.
We were both scared sh**less! Man that as a ride!
Ju-on is in my top 5 of all time and I believe that this version is leagues better than the remake, highly recommended! it's japanese btw.
Let Me In - currently remade from Let The Right One In.
I have to say BOO!!!!!!!! Don't fix it it ain't broken!

[Show spoiler]I'll just avoid it

Kingdom Hospital TV series http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0324864/ - from the danish tv series Riget http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108906/.
Again I've read the original is superior but I haven't seen the remake.
Anybdoy seen the US?

In my opinion the remakes are ultimately unnecessary, the original movie or series must have already been good to have been remade.
But I'm interested to hear from you americans (and the rest of you of course)
If americanized remakes does you any good?

[P@t_Mtl]

My Sassy Girl - 2001 from Korea remade in the USA in 2008. No comparaison possible the original is a much superior movie then the remake.

Then we have all the French Remakes done in the USA

Mon Pere Ce Hero 1991 - remake as My Father The Hero 1994
Les Comperes 1983 - remake as Fathers Day in 1997
La Chevre 1981 - remake as Pure Luck 1991
Le Grand Blond Avec Une Chaussure Noire 1972 - The Man With One Red Shoe in 1985

[koontz1973]

I cannot think of one American film that is better than the original. Other maybe can, but I cannot.

Problems with the American remakes is that what is funny/scary/dramatic around the world, may not be in America. This is not to say that Americans cannot appreciate our drama/horror/comedy, they just have a different way of looking at things. (no offence intended to our American cousins)

Can a American remake be made for any other reason than money, NO!

Why?, because Hollywood is a business out to make money, and if they think they can, then why not.

[P@t_Mtl]

It's usualy the fact maybe that American are not expose a lot to other cinema. Of course some are, we see them all over this site but the majority are not. I think most studios see it as first, it's going to sell much better with American actors, two we control everything and so no need to send much money out of the USA, three make their industrie work without the need to come up with an original idea, just translate it.

The problem is that many time it just does not work.

Take the movie Father's Day base or the French Movie Les Comperes. In the French version the tough guy was played by 6 foot 3 MOUNTAIN SIZE Gerard Depardieu. The American version had the rough father played by 5 foot 11 small guy Billy Crystal. That just never worked for me. There was no way I could see him as a rough fighting guy, was actualy more hilarious then anything else. Seeing Billy Crytal head butting a bad guy is just plain silly.

[cartman781]

All of them . I hate those pesky subtitles. I mean If I wanted to read, I would grab a book.

[Q?]

Originally Posted by cartman781

All of them . I hate those pesky subtitles. I mean If I wanted to read, I would grab a book.

All of them what?

[RockChalk]

There is NEVER, I repeat NEVER a good reason to remake a movie that is already great! My fellow Americans need to broaden their horizons and watch the originals, if they cant watch those movies on their own then they shouldnt be awarded the favor of having them remade in America

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by RockChalk

There is NEVER, I repeat NEVER a good reason to remake a movie that is already great! My fellow Americans need to broaden their horizons and watch the originals, if they cant watch those movies on their own then they shouldnt be awarded the favor of having them remade in America

I completely agree with you. There are so many great films that have had incredibly poor remakes made, and there are others (Citizen Kane) who are rumored to have remakes on the way. Just leave the originals alone.


That being said, although I think 12 Angry Men is one of the top 5 best films of all time, I am very interested to see the German remake that was made two years ago called '12.' I heard it was very good.