The 1973 film "The Wicker Man" had an eerie tone that delivered a haunting movie experience. The 2006 remake, however, relied on the typical tropes of contemporary horror, and the result is much blander and less effective than the original. Both movies follow a man called to an isolated community to investigate the disappearance of a girl whom everyone there implies doesn't exist. The films differ in certain plot points, but I think a comparison of their overall tone gets more at the heart of their difference.

Just watch any recent horror movie trailer, and you're sure to see the usual fare of quickly edited shots and sudden changes designed to make the viewer jump. Supposedly these add to a horror film's tension, but in the case of the remake of "The Wicker Man," these moments make the movie feel cliched. The remake also included more connection between the main character Edward Malus' past and the island he investigates. But rather than flesh out his character, this just muddled the pacing and pulled the focus away from the islanders.

The original, however, allowed a slow pace to help build a subtle tension. The viewer felt the main character Sergeant Howie's frustration and alienation from the strange community. Their bizarre behavior was underscored by the songs sprinkled throughout the film, making it feel almost like a musical. Their chipper singing was particularly unsettling during the film's climax.

Overall, the remake attempted to make the viewer jumpy, while the original instilled true dread. The 1973 version is likely to stay with a viewer because of its oddness, while the 2006 version is quickly forgotten in a slew of similar, tired films.

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