Even IMDb considers it a remake!
Well, in this case it's IMDb's word against Petersen's . Me personally, I'd rather trust the actual person behind the movie.
I guess the sticking point here is that you see Peterson's version as going back to the source material. For me, that's less important.
Indeed, this where we disagree. I do consider the source material. I always do it when there's a book and a film adaptation involved. I mean, it's not exactly the same when you're remaking an original movie (not based on any pre-existing property) and a movie that's an adaptation of a comicbook or a novel. I would like to think that it's easier for filmmakers when there's a book involved. That way they can escape the dreaded "remake" label by simply focusing on the book that started it all. And then say that their new movie is not a remake, but a reimagining of the book, or an updated version of the book. Whatever floats their boat.
The important thing is the extent to which the newer version differentiates significantly from a version that came before.
Since I consider all changes, small and big, I would argue that the new Poseidon is quite differend - you can watch it and then watch the older version, and I bet you most people would feel that they've watched two very different movies. Sure, the core of it all is the same - ship tragedy, people trying to escape. But they're still differnet movies with different agendas - the original is more, for lack of a better word, "calm" while the Petersen version is a fast and furious action movie that relies mainly on tension and visual spectacle. Plus, if they were really trying to make a remake they would've at least used the original title as well - The Poseidon Adventure. Like they did with the remakes of Point Break, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Total Recall.
Again, I see your point, and I'm not saying you're wrong. But then again, why would Petersen even bother saying that his Poseidon is not a remake. There must be a reason for him to say that, right?
By the way, which do you consider to be the superior film? While I enjoyed Peterson's a lot, Ronald Neame's original had a much more compelling character angle.
Honestly, I like both movies equally. Though if someone puts a gun to my head and asks me to choose only one, I would probably go with the Petersen version. It's just my kind of movie. Ever since the early 90's I've been a huge action fan and I'm a sucker for intense movies like Poseidon. The underwater scenes, the score by Klaus Badelt, the CGI and the realistic sense of urgency...I really like all of that.
Yes, it would've been better if it was little bit longer (more time to set things up, get to know the characters, etc...) but even at 90 minutes the movie is still effective to me.
I mean, let's be honest, no one really goes to a movie like this one for the character development and the great script. People expect spectacle and that's exactly what the movie delivers.
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"You don't watch Michael Bay films. They happen to you."
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