We live in the age of remakes, sequels, and franchises. That’s just the way it is, and the way it will be until that no longer bears financial fruit for studios and producers. Yet when it comes to remakes, why do all the good movies get the treatment? Sure, they’re proven commodities and thus less of a risk, but it feels like such a waste. Remakes of already great movies rarely turn out well, and they hardly ever actually end up turning a profit.
Which is why I have always believed that Hollywood needs to turn its focus to bad movies with concepts that work, but finished products that absolutely did not. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve finished up a movie, only to be annoyed by all the wasted potential. It’s time to give some of these movies another shot at being great.
In Time
Watch In Time on HBO Max
I’ve actually watched In Time a few times now, because I am always amazed by its fantastic concept. Even the acting is mostly great, with a surprisingly layered performance from Justin Timberlake in the lead role. But instead of being an example of a great piece of plausible dystopian sci-fi, it wastes its concept on clichés, bad dialogue, and a frustrating romance subplot that is devoid of anything approaching believable chemistry.
But its concept is just ridiculously good. Imagine a world where everyone has a clock on their arm that tells them the exact moment they will die. They can buy and sell time, or even win it. And the wealthy hoard all the time, to the detriment of everyone else. That feels like a premise tailor-made for modern times. What is extra disappointing is that In Time is written and directed by Andrew Niccol, who wrote the excellent The Truman Show. I believe he could do so much more with this concept.
Click
Watch Click on Hulu
A remote control that can control reality with the touch of a button in the hands of a human who hates his life. Eventually, he finds himself trapped with a device that is forcing him to essentially fast-forward through his life at the blink of an eye, all thanks to the machinations of the literal angel of death. In the right creative hands, this could have been a beautiful tale about the value of human life and enjoying every moment.
But instead, we just get a bad Adam Sandler movie with over-the-top gross-out humor and tonal shifts that seem designed to cover up a poorly written script. Even the genuine moments of emotion do not feel earned at all. It’s like if It’s a Wonderful Life had the most insufferable main character ever and some flatulence jokes thrown in for good measure. I’d like to see what a great script and a dramatic Sandler could do with a concept like this.
Passengers
Watch Passengers on YouTube TV
I was so hyped for Passengers when I first saw the trailer, enough that I went to see it on opening night all the way back in 2016. I left the theater completely disappointed by the experience as a whole. Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt were excellent together, and their chemistry is almost enough to overcome a lot of its flaws, but I just can’t get over how the story failed them at every turn.
What could have been a great, paranoia-fueled thriller instead opts for the world’s most misguided romance story. Pratt’s character does an extremely selfish thing, and instead of it leading to any sort of meaningful conflict, it’s swept under the rug in favor of a love story. It’s an eye-rolling decision, and in another world, it would actually lead to a tense thriller or at least a third act that doesn’t feel so perfunctory and stale. Passengers is one of those films that had all the talent in front of and behind the camera to work, but was doomed from the onset, much like its two isolated lovers.
Maximum Overdrive
Watch Maximum Overdrive on Tubi
This bizarre little film is the only movie ever directed by legendary horror author Stephen King, and boy, is it beyond bad. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve watched it a bunch, because it’s easily one of those movies that’s so bad you can’t help but love it. But there’s actually a really great premise buried in Maximum Overdrive. Based on his short story “Trucks,” which is much better and more frightening, Maximum Overdrive tells the story of large trucks and vehicles that come to life and start killing humans.
At no point did I feel frightened by this reality, because King had no idea how to inject any of the scenes with tension or a sense of horror. But I think that a mix of his original short story, mixed in with the technology of today, could really make for something truly relevant and frightening. Also, yes, there was an adaptation of “Trucks” for television that came out in the late ’90s, but that was also not a great watch.
It’s time to steer the remake obsession in the right direction
If studios were willing to take a little bit of risk and remake some bad movies with the potential for greatness, I think certain audiences would warm to the concept more than they have thus far. And some of these movies were actually financially successful, as well, so the risk isn’t as high. I just think it’s time we shifted the current remake climate into a more creative direction.
If you’re looking for more bad remakes, however, check out these film-to-TV adaptations that ended up failing miserably.
