MovieChat Forums > The Ladykillers (2004) Discussion > Most Dissapointing remake ever?

Most Dissapointing remake ever?

posted 14 years ago by jrcjohnny99
7 replies | jump to latest

Now, before you get all worked up, I didn't say "Worst Remake Ever"; i'd venture that to be "The Wicker Man" possibly....
but this has to rank as the most dissapointing.
The original is a classic that unlike many other great films, is not rooted in its time or circumstance, allowing it a great opportunity to be remade.
The Coen's are certainly capable of remaking films and conjuring up greatness (True Grit) and the cast and general concept is solid....so how come it's so damn poor?
It certainly pitches it's humor a lot lower (less sophisticated) than the original, but thats to be expected these days I suppose and it's probably unfair to expect Hanks, Wayans et al to match Guinness, Sellers and Lom but the problem for me is it fails as a suspensful comedy on both teh suspense and comedic levels.
I do feel that the Coens can be guilty of inserting themselves beyond the needs of the story sometimes (Barton Fink springs to mind) and yet there are times when their sensibilities elevate material to an incredible high ("Millers Crossing", "Fargo" and 'The Hudsucker Proxy').
So, overall, not as bad as Zombies 'Halloween' or 'Clash of the Titans' (but who expected those to be any good?) but definitely on par with Van Sant's 'Psycho' as most dissapointing...

thoughts?

[–] politicaldefiance 13 years ago

Nah. I love it. I get a lot of crap for saying this, but I actually prefer it over the original and think it's one of the Coen brothers' best, and most underrated, films.

[–] KlutzyGirl 13 years ago

Not sure it's the most disappointing EVER, but when has a remake been satisfying? I'm a big Coen fan and have yet to see True Grit; from what I've heard, that may be one of the very few exceptions. Remakes of good films are by their very nature a bad idea because so many people have fond memories of the originals. I would look forward to seeing remakes of *potentially* good films that missed the mark.

The original Ladykillers is WONDERFUL!! I beg everyone to watch it, it's a real treat!

[–] TheLukewarmCereal 13 years ago

I agree with you totally, remakes are seldom worth seeing.

It's sad that so many Hollywood films these days seem to be an endless procession of remakes, sequels and films so formulaic that it almost seems that they took the script of an existing (bad) film and did a 'find and replace' to change the names of the characters.

I suppose the widespread lack of originality means that when a truly original film does get made it can be appreciated all the more.

*

Back on topic: The original Ladykillers is indeed a wonderful film, I urge everyone to seek that out rather than watch this film.

[–] f2039 12 years ago

The Ladykillers is for sure a remake. because it was written on purpose for the 1955 movie. but i dont think the same about True Grit. even supposedly "original" True Grit movie was based on a novel and Coens had a different approach while adapting it

[–] stanleyhetz 12 years ago

Now, before you get all worked up, I didn't say "Worst Remake Ever"; i'd venture that to be "The Wicker Man" possibly....
but this has to rank as the most dissapointing.
The original is a classic that unlike many other great films, is not rooted in its time or circumstance, allowing it a great opportunity to be remade.
The Coen's are certainly capable of remaking films and conjuring up greatness (True Grit) and the cast and general concept is solid....so how come it's so damn poor?
It certainly pitches it's humor a lot lower (less sophisticated) than the original, but thats to be expected these days I suppose and it's probably unfair to expect Hanks, Wayans et al to match Guinness, Sellers and Lom but the problem for me is it fails as a suspensful comedy on both teh suspense and comedic levels.
I do feel that the Coens can be guilty of inserting themselves beyond the needs of the story sometimes (Barton Fink springs to mind) and yet there are times when their sensibilities elevate material to an incredible high ("Millers Crossing", "Fargo" and 'The Hudsucker Proxy').
So, overall, not as bad as Zombies 'Halloween' or 'Clash of the Titans' (but who expected those to be any good?) but definitely on par with Van Sant's 'Psycho' as most dissapointing...

thoughts?

The remake is so much funnier than the original! Nobody in the original complained about his IBS acting up!

[–] BoultersCanary 12 years ago

Most Disappointing remake ever? That would be Bedazzled.

This one is just..... Meh.

The church may shout but Darwin roars

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 12 years ago

Actually, I consider this to be one of the better remakes out there, one of my favorites. I didn't care for the original...and I'm generally a fan of 1950s British comedies. The original "The Ladykillers" is nowhere near as good as "Laughter in Paradise" and "Kind Hearts and Coronets". I like Alec Guinness, but I really prefer Alastair Sim.

~~
Jim Hutton: talented gorgeous hot hunk; adorable as ElleryQueen; SEXIEST ACTOR EVER