Over the past few years, remakes of classic action and adventure films have been incredibly popular, raking in millions at box offices worldwide, although other remakes weren’t quite so successful. Now, lovers of film are in the midst of an industry crowded with remakes of varying success. Indeed, there are simply too many films to delve into detail about, though you can see some of them here. In light of this, we take a look at three examples of action and adventure films that were re-made using modern technology and graphics to a high standard that have continued to hold our attention.
Ocean’s 11
First released in 1960, this re-boot film was cast with top Hollywood names (George Clooney, Brad Bitt, Matt Damon, and more) in 2001 for its remake ‘Ocean’s Eleven’. 41 years after the original, the remake grabbed widespread attention and was amongst the few films that were praised for being better than the first.
While both following the same storyline: 11 men robbing casinos, the remake is well adapted to contemporary Las Vegas and probably proves more popular amongst the younger generation.
Casino Royale
We can’t speak of action and adventure without mentioning James Bond. 007 has been a pop culture icon for 57 years, and with 26 films, it’s no wonder a remake of one the most popular in the franchise was a hit. Originally created in 1967, the 2006 remake features Daniel Craig as James Bond and follows his journey as a spy. As the name suggests, its casino focused. The casino focus is integral to the franchise as a whole. Gambling is used as a device to portray Bond’s character as a confident and witty risk-taker.
Obtaining the status of the highest-grossing bond film until Skyfall in 2012, this remake was a huge success, which is evidenced here. In fact, fans wanted to emulate the fictional spy. Some were relating to Bond through partaking in the more fun activities our hero got up to, including dressing more elegantly and playing casino games online. With technology on the rise during its release in 2006, this was easier and more sophisticated than it previously had been, as bank transfers were available online and in different currencies as seen if you read the full post here.
Mad Max: Fury Road
Unlike the other two films discussed, this film has been up for debate: sequel or reboot? Originally released in 1979, this Australian classic was created on a budget and follows the story of Max, a police officer, who goes rogue after the murder of his family. Followed by sequels with different title names, in 2015, another Mad Max: Fury Road, was released and it left fans wondering if this was another sequel or a remake. According to writer and director, George Miller, the 2015 film is a revisit, making it neither a sequel nor a reboot, which you can read about here. Despite the confusion, this film is packed with action and certainly goes above and beyond the 1979 release.
So, there you have it, three classic action and adventure films that have turned into iconic remakes. While remakes are subject to criticism and some are inferior to their originals, these three films benefit from modern advancements in film design, excellent writing, and stellar casts. So it’s no wonder they were hits at the box office.
