Cover versions
It occurred to me yesterday (while watching the original 1997 version of Insomnia) that there are very few cover versions of songs or remakes of films that are worth spending your precious time on. I can only think of a handful of songs (and no films) for which a subsequent cover or remake actually improved on the original. On the other hand, it’s very easy to think of covers and remakes which should never have been made. Insomnia particularly puzzles me. The original is stylish, chilling and very atmospheric, but the remake (made only 5 years later) added only some big name Hollywood actors and removed the subtitles. In this case, I wasn’t even swayed by the usual primacy effect (you prefer the first version you experienced) because I saw the 2002 Insomnia first. I enjoyed it at the time, but watching the original made me aware what a pale imitation it was.
I’ve wracked my brains, and here are my choices for exceptions to the ‘never try to do it twice’ rule. Johnny Cash’s version of the Nine Inch Nails song ‘Hurt’ was completely brilliant. I know that the lyrics are about drug addiction, but hearing an old manâat the end of his lifeâsinging the song was really powerful, and added several additional layers to the song. He really knew about loss and regret. Every time I listen to it, his shaky, angry voice moves me all over again.
And then there’s ‘Mad World’ covered by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules. The original was really good song, hidden under a thick blanket of slightly over-wrought vocals and too many synths. The cover stripped it back to basics and revealed the emotional power of the lyrics. I might also add ‘Romeo and Juliet’: a cover version of the Dire Straits track by the Indigo Girls. This one might be a matter of taste, because Amy Ray gets a bit shouty on it, but she certainly gives it a lot more impact that the original.
Despite a lot of thought, I can’t think of a single film remake which has been better than the original.
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Wow I'm just listening to Johnny Cash, nice coincidence. I'd like to get his autobiography, because he definately brings addiction and pain to the track. I don't think many people would or could have the same upbringing nowadays.
I'd agree with you about movies...I can't think of one and now my whole afternoon is going to be spent trying to
Other strange coincidence is I've been planning to get out the original version of Insomnia for a while now...spooky.
I'm also sure that was made on the tail end of the Hollywood period of taking European movies and remaking them...poorly.----- I had similar thoughts about cover versions a while back [2002! That's back in my Blogger days!].
Regarding film remakes, it's only my opinion but I think the remake of The Thomas Crown Affair is better than the original. And I'm continually in two minds about which I prefer: Manhunter or Red Dragon -- although strictly speaking they are two different films of the same book, not an original/remake pair.
by David @ 14/09/2004 2:09 pm • Permalink •
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One day, the souls who perish in the state of God's grace, WILL be in Heaven enjoying bombastic benevolence for Eternity, where you can have anything-N-everything you desire --- Take the PURGATORY test on INDEX. God bless.
by Catalyst4Christ @ 14/09/2004 2:10 pm • Permalink •
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I'm with David. Although Steve McQueen could out cool anyone the remake of the Thomas Crown affair is a much better film...IMHO.
My candidate for worst remake would be 'The Vanishing', closely followed by the remake of 'Nikita'.
by si @ 14/09/2004 2:10 pm • Permalink •
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Gary: Ah, synchronicity! There was a bit of a rash of Hollywood rip-offs of other films, wasn't there. Vanilla Sky/Abre Los Ojos is another pair that springs to mind.
David: I hadn't seen your entry, but I agree about 'All Along the Watchtower'â I'd forgotten that one. I've never seen the original Thomas Crown Affair (to my shame), but as I thought the remake was a bit ho-hum, I'm not encouraged to watch it!
si: I've never seen either version of The Vanishing, but my brother once told me the plot and it scared the willies out of me. I would have to watch it from behind the sofa...
by bsag @ 14/09/2004 6:10 pm • Permalink •
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I was going to also suggest The Thomas Crown Affair. I watched them back to back a couple of weekends ago, and the remake is far and away the better movie, and much cooler.
In the same vein, I rather liked the remake of Oceans 11. The actors in the remake were fantastic, and gave individual performances that gave a lot of atmosphere and coolness.
On another note, it is nice to find another Brit who has heard of the Indigo Girls! I personally think that Emily and Amy's version of Romeo and Juliet is one of the worst songs they have done; I much prefer the Dire Straits version... imho.
by Morgan @ 14/09/2004 9:09 pm • Permalink •
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On movies: I like several of the versions of A Star is Born. And I am looking forward eagerly to the new version of C/h/a/r/l/i/e/ Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory -- the new version being not so much a remake as a total reimagining from the book. Which ought to be good, considering how much the original version diverged from the book, and how good the book really is.
The Indigo Girls' cover of Romeo and Juliet just doesn't do it for me. It's a horrid combination of wimpy and screechy -- which is a shame, as I love most of what the Indigo Girls do. Now, that could be because I am used to hearing one of the several live Dire Straits versions I have of the song, on all of which they kick some serious butt.
by Bruce @ 14/09/2004 10:10 pm • Permalink •
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The only reason I'm particularly excited about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is because Tim Burton is directing it, I think Johnny Depp is fantastic, and I'm a huge fan of Christopher Lee (from well before the Rings movies.) I'm just not sure if Depp can capture the slow, lazy, yet manic menace of Gene Wilder.
Speaking of movies about rings, I do have to say that the American version of the Japanese Ringu is excellent. I don't know if it would be fair to say that one was better than the other, they were both very well done.
by Nathan @ 15/09/2004 1:10 am • Permalink •
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I have to agree with the Thomas Crown Affair, the remake is (for me) definately a lot better than the original. With Oceans 11 though, I have to disagree, the original was far better (although the actors were scrummier in the remake).
by Clair @ 15/09/2004 8:09 am • Permalink •
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Good lord I'm in a minority again
I just can't agree that the remake of the Thomas Crown Affair is better than the original. Nobody can make me agree that the Brosnan/Russo screen chemistry was better than McQueen/Dunaway. C'mon! The chess scene?? I think the original had a lot more chic. It was never an action movie, more a battle or nerve and wit.
All an opinion of course
The Vanishing I have to agree was atrocious. When will Hollywood realise that the audience is intelligent and there doesn't always have to be a happy ending? Brings to mind that urban myth of studio bosses discussing whether the Titanic would actually sink.
I like a little dose of action cheese once in a while to rest my brain. But I have to admit I prefer European and Japanese movies. I'd throw my hands up in exasperation if anybody thought the remake of the Ring was better than the original...
by Gary @ 16/09/2004 4:09 am • Permalink •
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Haven't seen the remake of the Vanishing and wouldn't want to. I seem to remember it being incredibly boring. Almost as boring as Eraserhead - a film so boring there was a break of several years in the middle of one scene!
I saw the original of dawn of the dead and without having seen the recent re-release, can offer that the remake is probably better but for all the wrong reasons.
by Jann @ 16/09/2004 9:10 am • Permalink •
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Gary, prepare to throw your hands up in the air. After watching The Ring back when it first hit video I was very anxious to see the original. I must say that I was rather disappointed. It was good, and I would have liked it on its own, but I got so much more into the American version. You can read my review over at my site.
As far as songs go, I definitely have to disagree about how many are noteworthy. There are so many good ones out there that add greatly to the original without taking anything away from it. Not to mention, so much of music history is built upon covers - lest we forget that the foundation for bands such as The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix was their choice of covers for early material. I could go on about this subject, but I think the comment section is too small for that.
by indieb0i @ 16/09/2004 9:10 pm • Permalink •
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It wasn't better than the original, but Sixpence None the Richer's version of The La's "There She Goes" was still excellent. And I'm with you on Mad World
by Matthew @ 19/09/2004 8:10 am • Permalink •
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Why waste pixels arguing about "The Thomas Crown Affair"? The original was a very slick, commercially successful, but utterly vapid film, so the bar was not set very high for the remake, which I unsurprisingly I am not tempted to see. I believe I have however seen all the versions of "The Front Page" and my favourite is not the original, (which however I still prefer to the Jack Lemmon/Walter Mathau version), but "His Girl Friday", so that may be an exception. Another Ben Hecht scripted film that has been remade is "Roxy Hart", but in that case the original is an infinitely better and funnier film than "Chicago".
by ThoughtBadger @ 19/09/2004 11:10 pm • Permalink •
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All these new age "composers" think that they can make a new hit from an old one, instead of realizing that good music IS GOOD THE WAY IT WAS FIRST CREATED! the idea that old fashioned things are back in fashion is OK as long as you keep your values intact.
by Mood Disorders @ 31/05/2007 12:17 am • Permalink •
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