The Day of the Triffids
Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 1:58 pm
This is one of my favorites from the retro-days. They are currently showing a remake on BBC. The original movie, was actually pretty watchable, in an "Omega Man" kind of way. There's something just cool about the end of the world if done right.
A couple of scenes in the movie, like the meteor showers and the acres of Triffids surrounding the tiny band of survivors were excellent.
I'm of a mind to day that one of two things happens when good sci-fi gets remade:
1. The movie sticks to the good story and ups the special effects and perfomances, making a killer movie.
2. The movie stumbles over or rewrites the basic plot, hoping the special effects will save it resulting in a horrible mess that hurts sci-fi fam's feelings and is an embarrassment.
Examples: Good:
The War of the Worlds - Steven Speilburg went back to the book and came up with a winner. Strong scenes, acting, and awesome special effects.
I, Robot - It's actually based on a much earlier short story, and has absolutely nothing to do with Asimov's visions. (Other than stealing his title and how did they do that?!) But it holds together nicely.
Examples : Bad:
The Time Machine - The director rewrote the plot, making a mess of all the Eloi/Morlock symbolism and where the Hell did that psychic albino come from?!! You blew up the Time machine for an ending?!! FOOLS!!!
My choice for a movie that desperately needs a makeover and could be extremely cool?
"When Worlds Collide." The book is hands-down awesome and it could easily make "2012" look like "Sesame Street."
Attached files
A couple of scenes in the movie, like the meteor showers and the acres of Triffids surrounding the tiny band of survivors were excellent.
I'm of a mind to day that one of two things happens when good sci-fi gets remade:
1. The movie sticks to the good story and ups the special effects and perfomances, making a killer movie.
2. The movie stumbles over or rewrites the basic plot, hoping the special effects will save it resulting in a horrible mess that hurts sci-fi fam's feelings and is an embarrassment.
Examples: Good:
The War of the Worlds - Steven Speilburg went back to the book and came up with a winner. Strong scenes, acting, and awesome special effects.
I, Robot - It's actually based on a much earlier short story, and has absolutely nothing to do with Asimov's visions. (Other than stealing his title and how did they do that?!) But it holds together nicely.
Examples : Bad:
The Time Machine - The director rewrote the plot, making a mess of all the Eloi/Morlock symbolism and where the Hell did that psychic albino come from?!! You blew up the Time machine for an ending?!! FOOLS!!!
My choice for a movie that desperately needs a makeover and could be extremely cool?
"When Worlds Collide." The book is hands-down awesome and it could easily make "2012" look like "Sesame Street."
Attached files