Movie remakes I would actually approve of
Assemble, 2007 Disney kids — Debby Ryan needs to make a comeback
Nobody puts Baby and the shark from Jaws in a corner, but Hollywood should put them in remakes of their films. (Pixy/Diego Minor Martínez)
Usually, film remakes tend to not be very good, nor within reason.
They often seem like desperate attempts to make good use of nostalgia without offering up anything new. They just use the same formulas that achieved success before.
However, there are some remakes that have the potential to be great when given the right focus, a good cast, and an updated point of view.
Let’s start with one of the biggest classics in film history — Jaws. I think producing a remake of this movie would be a huge risk given its legacy, but it’d work perfectly if its essence is respected. With the technology we have nowadays, special effects would be able to make a visual experience that is way more realistic and terrifying — without relying on them too much, of course.
What made Jaws special during its time was not just the shark itself, but the constant tension, fear, and danger it provided. A very well-planned and produced remake could update the film’s context and take inspiration from actual issues — like excessive tourism or the human impact on climate change — without taking out the psychological fear that made the original so iconic.
Another remake I’d absolutely be willing to see, but could be very polemic, is Dirty Dancing. Having watched this movie over eight times, I am still in love with it. Patrick Swayze is basically untouchable, but if we talk about someone that could deliver an amazing performance as Johnny Castle, it would be Austin Butler. He did an amazing job portraying Elvis Presley in Elvis. Butler can not only sing but also dance and transmit emotions in a very easy way.
Hear me out — it’s not about replacing Swayze because there is absolutely no one like him. But Castle’s character needs someone with charisma, intensity, and, of course, good looks. And who can serve up all that? Austin Butler.
Now, every 2007 Disney kid is probably aware of Debby Ryan’s filmography, especially Radio Rebel or 16 Wishes — my personal favourite.
Both movies have pretty good ideas and a remake of either would be good. 16 Wishes could depict wishing from a mature point of view, maybe even conveying that sometimes what we think we want can have hard consequences.
A remake of Radio Rebel could adapt perfectly to the social media world we’re living in today and go over topics like social pressure, authenticity, and, most importantly, the fear of showing who one truly is.
Not all remakes are necessary, but when they are produced with respect, creativity, and a clear intention of bringing something new, they can be a great way of bringing back stories we enjoyed at some point in time.
