by Reanne Heard

Created on: February 24, 2009

20th Century Fox has come out with a remake of The Day The Earth Stood Still, staring Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly and I'm sure, from the looks of the trailer, it was a very exciting movie.

But why exactly did they feel the need to make this movie? Anyone can go into their favorite movie rental store, and rent The Day The Earth Stood Still, released in 1951. I have seen this version, and it is very good. It centers around an alien and his giant robot named Gort. They want to give Earth a powerful message, so to get peoples' attention, they make it stand still for a day. So why make a remake of the same movie?

Is it because the original was so good, Fox has hopes that they are assured the same success again? Why has Hollywood felt the need to keep making remakes? Is Hollywood running out of original ideas? Let's take a look at a few examples of other classic movies that were remade. Watch both versions, then decide which one you thought was a better movie.

Cheaper By The Dozen (Released in 1950, remade in 2003)

The original was about the Gilbreth, whose parents were the first to make documentary films. In one very funny scene, the father even filmed his families' tonsillectomies, really getting into it, until he realizes he needs one too. After the unexpected death of the father, the mother continues his work, and the children have to grow up fast, and take care of the household. In the remake we follow the Banks family, and all of their adventures, when the mom goes on her book tour, and leaves the father in charge.

Yours, Mine And Ours (Released in 1968, remade in 2005)

The original was about the North-Beardsly families, trying to blend together after a Navy widower marries a Navy widow. They tried to become a united family, all while dealing with old memories, sex, drugs, work, pregnancy, and conniving kids. Based on a true story, it is a great family movie, and all topics are dealt with honestly, but delicately. In the remake we again have the North-Beardsly families, and everything they go through, while the kids try to break up the parents marriage. Also in the remake, Frank and Helen were high school sweethearts that reconnect later at a reunion and decide to get married right away.

There are a few movie remakes, that stay pretty close to their original versions. They basically follow the same plot lines, updating and embellishing them from time to time. Here are a few examples of such movies.

King Kong (Released in 1933, remade in 2005)

Little Women (Released in 1933, remade in 1949 and 1994)

Pride And Prejudice (Released in 1940, remade in 2005)

Oceans Eleven (Released in 1960, remade in 2001)

So what does all of this mean? Does, as was asked before, Holly wood need new ideas? New writers? A new way of thinking? There are simple ways to get original ideas, such as books, true life, and using God given imaginations.

Maybe audiences were so responsive to the originals, because they were mostly clean, family, movies. Or is it simply a sign of the times? Have we as an audience tired of the sex and violence in movies today, and long for the peaceful times of yesteryear?

In any case there are two things we can be sure of. Hollywood will keep making movies, as long as we will go to see them, and they will keep making remakes, as long as we are willing to relive nostalgia.

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