Although referencing the original is necessary, a fatal flaw of a remake can be that it is TOO much like the original. In order to avoid being a pointless retread of old territory, a remake must:
-Not be too similar to the original
-Have some kind of update so that it is relevant to modern audiences, whether that be with its technology or altering of the plot to fit modern day themes
-Create its own identity
-Contain (good) surprises for the audience
-OPTIONAL: establish a different tone
-Not be too similar to the original
-Have some kind of update so that it is relevant to modern audiences, whether that be with its technology or altering of the plot to fit modern day themes
-Create its own identity
-Contain (good) surprises for the audience
-OPTIONAL: establish a different tone
Psycho, directed by Gus Van Sant, was released in 1998 and is a remake of the 1960 Alfred Hitchcock film of the same name.
WHAT IT DID WRONG: It was made
Was filmed as a nearly perfect shot-for-shot redo of the original
Copied the cinematography of the original
WHAT IT DID RIGHT: Was filmed in color
Has a new cast
Intercuts murder scenes with dream sequences
Accounts for advances in technology in the time since the original
Shortens the monologue of the psychiatrist at the end
Slightly alters the soundtrack
AS OPPOSED TO
WHAT IT DID WRONG: It was made
Was filmed as a nearly perfect shot-for-shot redo of the original
Copied the cinematography of the original
WHAT IT DID RIGHT: Was filmed in color
Has a new cast
Intercuts murder scenes with dream sequences
Accounts for advances in technology in the time since the original
Shortens the monologue of the psychiatrist at the end
Slightly alters the soundtrack
AS OPPOSED TO
Peter Jackson's 2005 film, King Kong, yet again.
WHAT IT DID WRONG: The plot unfolds in more-or-less the same way as the original
WHAT IT DID RIGHT: Gave more backstory to characters' motives
Shot more wide angles rather than the closed off frames of the original
Made audience sympathetic toward Kong
Heavily updated the technology used
More scientifically accurate than the original with dinosaurs
Original creatures
Expanded upon scenes from original
Added more depth to characters (that'll be discussed later)
WHAT IT DID WRONG: The plot unfolds in more-or-less the same way as the original
WHAT IT DID RIGHT: Gave more backstory to characters' motives
Shot more wide angles rather than the closed off frames of the original
Made audience sympathetic toward Kong
Heavily updated the technology used
More scientifically accurate than the original with dinosaurs
Original creatures
Expanded upon scenes from original
Added more depth to characters (that'll be discussed later)