Why did The Wolfman remake fail? in Current Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Films Forum

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Why did The Wolfman remake fail?

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Joe Karlosi		#21	[-]
Jul 30 12 3:19 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I thought it was good when I saw it at the theater, but like so many newer movies, it didn't stay with me afterward. Just as one eats a tasty burger and forgets about it after it's done. I just don't think they make movies the way they used to, and it basically comes down to that (for me I mean). I've been meaning to buy it on DVD or Blu, but there's no rush. Same thing occurred with the new RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, which again was good -- but after that, ... err.... what was that movie again...? I guess someone some day can pick the Blu-ray up for me as a gift, or whatever... Meanwhile, the girlfriend and I just saw a local midnight theatrical showing of ROSEMARY'S BABY, at the Cinema arts Centre. It was her first time seeing it, and she loved it -- and even though I've seen it a dozen or more times and it's a personal fave, I walked out of that theater in awe of a great horror film again and had it linger in my mind throughout the whole next day (and not just due to simple 'nostalgia'). They just don't make 'em like that anymore, and I can't recall the last time I ever was blown away by any new movie, let alone a horror one. "Guy named Squeamy got thrown from the fifth floor. He's deader'n a mackerel."
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jamesenstein31		#22	[-]
Jul 30 12 3:36 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I think Hugo Weaving was the only one having a good time. He was a delight in it and the makeup was excellent, but that was expected. It was nice to see an actual WOLF MAN again.
Kevrock		#23	[-]
Jul 30 12 3:50 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Rick wrote: I'm just saying, you guys must be open to new ideas. No one is going to remake a classic horror film scene by scene and make it exactly like the original. Again, it felt like I was watching a classic horror film with new elements that made it feel current as well. Over all, I love both Wolf Man films. Is the original better? Of course. But is the remake bad? I don't think so. Overall, I agree with all of this. No one is gonna remake a classic horror film like the original. And no one is gonna make a new horror film in the same manner and style of the old ones, because that time has passed. But that doesn't mean I have to love a new movie because it sorta is like an old one. Any movie, in any genre, in any era, has to stand on its own. I simply think that the new WOLFMAN comes up short -- not as classic horror, but simply as a movie. But I also don't think the remake is bad. I just don't think it's very good. Look. The Wolfman remake of 2010 is the closest thing we have to a modern monster movie done in the style of the old monster movies...well, for the most part. If you're more satisfied with Saw 3D and Paranormal activity, that's fine. But I think you guys would like to see more films with this certain tone that makes you feel like your watching a classic monster movie. If only this film had gotten a little more support, they'd had done another one, and then WA LA, all the classic monsters coming back to the big screen. You can't have your cake and eat it too! Here are kids my age hating the film because it was too old school, and here you guys are hating the film because it wasn't old school enough. Both new and old elements are there. What's wrong with mixing them a little?!? Last Edited By: Kevrock Jul 30 12 3:53 PM. Edited 1 times.
Colossus Rex		#24	[-]
Jul 30 12 4:08 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Kevrock wrote: You can't have your cake and eat it too! Here are kids my age hating the film because it was too old school, and here you guys are hating the film because it wasn't old school enough. Both new and old elements are there. What's wrong with mixing them a little?!? But... but ... Kev my friend! I loved the great makeup and the fact that, indeed, there was a man in the makeup ... like the good old days! I enjoyed the added ferocity and gore from the modern era But whether old school or new school, you have to care about the characters. Siodmak said, more or less, that we can all relate to an ordinary guy who gets unfairly saddled with a horrific fate ... and he was right. Chaney's Talbot was truly a likable Joe who didn't deserve what happened to him. The dad played by Claude Rains really cared about his son ... in his misguided way. That's what made it a tragedy. But the new Larry Talbot was aloof and unsympathetic, and his dad was a jerk. It was hard to care.
Kevrock		#25	[-]
Jul 30 12 4:13 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Colossus Rex wrote: Kevrock wrote: You can't have your cake and eat it too! Here are kids my age hating the film because it was too old school, and here you guys are hating the film because it wasn't old school enough. Both new and old elements are there. What's wrong with mixing them a little?!? But... but ... Kev my friend! I loved the great makeup and the fact that, indeed, there was a man in the makeup ... like the good old days! I enjoyed the added ferocity and gore from the modern era But whether old school or new school, you have to care about the characters. Siodmak said, more or less, that we can all relate to an ordinary guy who gets unfairly saddled with a horrific fate ... and he was right. Chaney's Talbot was truly a likable Joe who didn't deserve what happened to him. The dad played by Claude Rains really cared about his son ... in his misguided way. That's what made it a tragedy. But the new Larry Talbot was aloof and unsympathetic, and his dad was a jerk. It was hard to care. I disagree. I cared. Sure, this Larry Talbot didn't seem as frightened by everything that was going on around him. He dealt with these issues in a more serious manner I guess you could say. But I liked the little love story with him and his brother's wife. "I would have given anything to have known you in another life." That's why I cared. Because he was in love with a woman he couldn't be with because at night he'll turn into a monster ant eat her.
Rick		#26	[-]
Jul 30 12 5:13 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Kev, you "quoted" my post, but I don't think you read it. I simply said that I judged the movie on its own terms...as a motion picture released in 2010. I just don't think it measured up. And I did support the movie, in that I paid my money and went to the theatre to see it, something I don't do much any more. And I appreciate that it was, somewhat, in the mode of the classic horrors, but, as I wrote before, I don't feel the need to love it simply because of that. Heck, I don't love all the OLD Universal films. Am I supposed to feign love for this one in hopes that they'll produce another? Because another might be better or worse than this one, but I guarantee you it will be no more genuine a piece of classic horror than THE WOLF MAN. Why should I pretend enthusiasm for something to bring along something else for which I have to pretend enthusiasm? And you seem to feel that it's either/or...either we love THE WOLF MAN or we love SAW. That logic doesn't scan. I despise SAW and all its sick brothers, but that doesn't mean I must love THE WOLF MAN. I do certainly prefer THE WOLF MAN to SAW, but that's as far as I will, or need to, go. And it's not a matter of “having my cake and eating it.” I have my cake and I nibble at it regularly. Most of it was baked between 1931 and 1946 and it still tastes great. I am not expecting a fresh supply, so I’m glad I stocked up. Some folks around here, yourself possibly included, still hope for another real classic horror film in the old style. There were hopes with THE WOLF MAN, there were hopes with HOUSE OF THE WOLF MAN (or whatever it was called). Some people probably held out such hopes for VAN HELSING. But the old classic Universal horror film is not coming back. It was a thing of its time and that time has passed. You seem to think the answer is Classic Horror + new stuff = fun for eyeryone, and that’s not necessarily the case. What it boils down to is simple-- I didn’t want or expect THE WOLF MAN to be classic, old style horror. I just wanted it to be better.
Joe Karlosi		#27	[-]
Jul 30 12 5:16 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Rick wrote: I despise SAW and all its sick brothers, but that doesn't mean I must love THE WOLF MAN. Rick, I know you don't care for those types of modern torture flicks, but I don't recall -- did you actually see the first SAW ? "Guy named Squeamy got thrown from the fifth floor. He's deader'n a mackerel."
Rick		#28	[-]
Jul 30 12 5:19 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I've seen 'em all, Joe. My curse is completism.
Joe Karlosi		#29	[-]
Jul 30 12 5:24 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	WOW! That's amazing... I have to compliment you on that ability, Rick. I mean, knowing how 'sick' you find those films to be, but to continually try every sequel...! That at least tells me that you're not just watching one (or none) and then automatically trashing the entire run. That is impressive. (Me, I thought the SAW series was very interesting and kind of original with the first entry, but eventually ran out of gas). "Guy named Squeamy got thrown from the fifth floor. He's deader'n a mackerel."
Kevrock		#30	[-]
Jul 30 12 5:52 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Joe Karlosi wrote: WOW! That's amazing... I have to compliment you on that ability, Rick. I mean, knowing how 'sick' you find those films to be, but to continually try every sequel...! That at least tells me that you're not just watching one (or none) and then automatically trashing the entire run. That is impressive. (Me, I thought the SAW series was very interesting and kind of original with the first entry, but eventually ran out of gas). I actually kinda like Saw. I don't love it. But I dig the concept, and I like the Jigsaw character. But Saw 3D was the worst horror film I've ever seen in my life.
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Babetician		#31	[-]
Jul 30 12 5:55 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Colossus Rex wrote: But the new Larry Talbot was aloof and unsympathetic, and his dad was a jerk. It was hard to care. I was trying to remember why this film did not work for me, but it was such a dud I instantly forgot all about it. -And I'm a big Rick Baker fan. The sign of a good movie is you keep thinking about it for the next day or two, while eating lunch, while taking a shower, "while paying your taxes" (as they so weirdly said in The Matrix) Unlikeable characters, dumb story, overdone special effects. The heroine failed to enchant me, even as monster bait. It wasn't as extravagant a dud as Van Helsing, yet stunk all the same. I'm sticking my neck way out and saying this type of movie, along with sword and sorcery is a lost art. No one knows how to do it anymore. Everything is a soul-less video game automaton, all flashy effects and camera work and no substance.
Joe Karlosi		#32	[-]
Jul 30 12 5:57 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Kev, I'd say that SAW 3D was the worst entry in the SAW series, but I've seen a lot worse horror films than that. You're still young, so give it time and you may (or may not?) find even WORSE movies! Just to try and keep the focus back on THE WOLFMAN (2010) ... if I ever do get 'round to buying a disc, does it benefit from the added scenes or is it a detraction? I'd also held off because I thought I'd heard that the Blu-ray was defective...?? "Guy named Squeamy got thrown from the fifth floor. He's deader'n a mackerel."
Robert Troch		#33	[-]
Jul 30 12 8:39 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Kevrock wrote: Rick wrote: I'm just saying, you guys must be open to new ideas. No one is going to remake a classic horror film scene by scene and make it exactly like the original. Again, it felt like I was watching a classic horror film with new elements that made it feel current as well. Over all, I love both Wolf Man films. Is the original better? Of course. But is the remake bad? I don't think so. Overall, I agree with all of this. No one is gonna remake a classic horror film like the original. And no one is gonna make a new horror film in the same manner and style of the old ones, because that time has passed. But that doesn't mean I have to love a new movie because it sorta is like an old one. Any movie, in any genre, in any era, has to stand on its own. I simply think that the new WOLFMAN comes up short -- not as classic horror, but simply as a movie. But I also don't think the remake is bad. I just don't think it's very good. Look. The Wolfman remake of 2010 is the closest thing we have to a modern monster movie done in the style of the old monster movies...well, for the most part. If you're more satisfied with Saw 3D and Paranormal activity, that's fine. But I think you guys would like to see more films with this certain tone that makes you feel like your watching a classic monster movie. If only this film had gotten a little more support, they'd had done another one, and then WA LA, all the classic monsters coming back to the big screen. You can't have your cake and eat it too! Here are kids my age hating the film because it was too old school, and here you guys are hating the film because it wasn't old school enough. Both new and old elements are there. What's wrong with mixing them a little?!? People bring this "tone" thing up of this movie being a mix of old style done modern but seem to overlook that the script wasn't very good, and the lead character just didn't engage all that much. If having to sit through that dreadful Father vs Son Werewolf fight is old school horror then I must have missed something. Yes....I know there was an entire movie based on 2 monsters fighting (FMTW) back in the day, but by that time most of the horror movie element was gone anyways. Except for that beginning bit where Larry revives in his tomb. There is no reason at all that a modern day "horror film" (whatever that means anymore) can't be loaded with old school atmosphere..............just make it good that's all. Some irony, pathos or something might help because this re make missed the boat on ALL of that stuff too. Robert T.
Robert Troch		#34	[-]
Jul 30 12 8:42 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Babetician wrote: Colossus Rex wrote: But the new Larry Talbot was aloof and unsympathetic, and his dad was a jerk. It was hard to care. I was trying to remember why this film did not work for me, but it was such a dud I instantly forgot all about it. -And I'm a big Rick Baker fan. The sign of a good movie is you keep thinking about it for the next day or two, while eating lunch, while taking a shower, "while paying your taxes" (as they so weirdly said in The Matrix) Unlikeable characters, dumb story, overdone special effects. The heroine failed to enchant me, even as monster bait. It wasn't as extravagant a dud as Van Helsing, yet stunk all the same. I'm sticking my neck way out and saying this type of movie, along with sword and sorcery is a lost art. No one knows how to do it anymore. Everything is a soul-less video game automaton, all flashy effects and camera work and no substance. Yeah that nails it down pretty well. Robert T.
Kevrock		#35	[-]
Jul 31 12 3:23 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	If having to sit through that dreadful Father vs Son Werewolf fight is old school horror then I must have missed something. That was the new school part, and don't you sit here and try and tell me that two Werewolves fighting isn't awesome.
Robert Summit		#36	[-]
Jul 31 12 5:40 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	If I cared about what they were fighting about, it could be very awesome. "If you had a face like mine, you'd punch me right in the nose, and I'm just the fella that can do it!"
Joe Karlosi		#37	[-]
Jul 31 12 5:42 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Werewolves have fought before. Two examples I can immediately think of are WEREWOLF OF LONDON (1935) and FRANKENSTEIN'S BLOODY TERROR (1968). "Guy named Squeamy got thrown from the fifth floor. He's deader'n a mackerel."
Robert Troch		#38	[-]
Jul 31 12 9:02 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Joe Karlosi wrote: Werewolves have fought before. Two examples I can immediately think of are WEREWOLF OF LONDON (1935) and FRANKENSTEIN'S BLOODY TERROR (1968). If I remember correctly it happened in Wolf too. A movie that I only have seen once and that is good enough for me. I seem to remember kind of liking the first half of that movie though and then it fell apart like a midnight construction job. Yes, I can sit here and say that the Werewolf fight in the remake wasn't so awesome. First........it seems SO out of place. Second the CGI stuff.....bleh. Third are these now thinking werewolves? I seem to remember them being portrayed as almost developing fighting strategies against each other. So this is now MMA or something? Or wait better yet....WWF? And now....The Talbot Twins! Robert T. Last Edited By: Robert Troch Jul 31 12 9:10 AM. Edited 1 times.
LCranston		#39	[-]
Jul 31 12 4:18 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Kevrock wrote: If having to sit through that dreadful Father vs Son Werewolf fight is old school horror then I must have missed something. That was the new school part, and don't you sit here and try and tell me that two Werewolves fighting isn't awesome. Yes, in and of itself two werewolves fighting can be pretty awesome, but a fight scene is generally not an appropriate way to end an HORROR film. I know there are some we all like that do have fight scenes at the end, but those are usually sequels or controversial for other reasons (FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLFMAN fits both categories). Seeing an Alien fight a Predator or Jason fight Freddy in a climax isn't scary as such; it's exciting and an adrenaline rush, but it's not the same feeling as horror. Deep water is dark and restful and full of peace.
jamesenstein31		#40	[-]
Aug 1 12 12:40 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	That's what I was saying by the "action" definition. This film was less interested in developing atmosphere, mood and characterization, than it was in building large action sequences, like the massacre at the gypsy camp, the rush through London and this ridiculous fight scene. This was probably Hopkins' lowest point since INSTINCT.
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Why did The Wolfman remake fail?