I have maintained for some time that humanity is running out of creative steam, and that one can perhaps witness this fact by gazing toward Hollywood. One of the most glaring examples can be found in the recent release of “Fast and Furious,” not to be confused with “THE Fast and THE Furious” that was released a mere 8 years earlier. Apart from sharing an almost identical title, the two movies even share similar casts. I haven’t bothered to see either, but I would bet at least a portion of the rent money that their plots are strikingly similar. Is this example to glaring or ridiculous to even warrant mention? Perhaps. So, I present to you another phenomenon that is a bit more nuanced, yet equally bizarre.
I refer you to the slew of recent Hollywood remakes that have taken more classic works and presented them with a twist. The majority of these remakes follow a common thread. Namely, they tend to take the protagonist and make them more earthy or, perhaps just strange or psychotic. The same thread is generally applied to the antagonist and side characters. As evidence, I submit five examples (two of them, oddly enough, feature Johnny Depp).
1) Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory — So, was Gene Wilder from the original 1971 movie a little crazy? Of course. However, Johnny Depp takes the character to a new level in the newer release. Aside from being simply mad, the 2005 remake portrays Willy Wonka as more deeply troubled and, strangely enough, somewhat androgynous.


2) Alice in Wonderland — Granted, this remake has yet to be released, but if the previews are at all accurate, we’re in for another creepy character…this time, Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter in Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.” The cartoon version of the story is of course memorable, as the Mad Hatter and the rest of the insane tea party are portrayed as aloof and somewhat drunk. However, in the remake, the Mad Hatter looks absolutely insane.


3) Robin Hood — Ah, Kevin Costner as Robin Hood. In the 1991 “Prince of Thieves,” Robin Hood is truly a timeless character. He is oddly enough the only character in the movie (set in medieval England) without a British accent, and his hygiene (replete with flowing hair) is sine qua non for a homeless robber of that era. In the remake, however, set to appear in summer of 2010, Russell Crowe has snagged the part and will apparently be representing a different sort of Robin Hood, a dirtier Robin Hood. I just saw the trailer of this tonight, and I have to say that it reminded me more of Gladiator, only with less Romans, no collosseum, and more splashing around in the water. Not surprisingly, Ridley Scott directed it.


4) Sherlock Holmes — The pictures speak for themselves.


5) Batman Begins / The Dark Knight — Last, but certainly not least, consider the case of the newest Batman films, “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight.” In contrast to the Batmen of yore (cartoons, Adam West, Michael Keaton, etc…), the new Batman is much rougher. Instead of the sometimes cartoonish Batmobile, Christian Bale now drives around in a speedy tank while dressed in military-grade armor. Plus, the joker is no longer funny…he is a true psychopath.


In light of these examples, I have to say, what up with that?