If it ain't broke

Editorial

Haven't we had enough classic 1980's movies remade recently - and not exactly well, either? Last year we had both Clash of the Titans, remade in redundant 3D, and The Karate Kid, neither of which improved on the originals. Already this year we've had Russell Brand's take on Dudley Moore's 1981 Arthur, and now that Kevin Bacon classic from 1984, Footloose, is being dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century, for no other apparent reason than to showcase bad rap music, and give Dennis Quaid and Andie MacDowell another chance to play uptight, conflicted parents. Well, at least it gets Andie away from advertising hair products.

But really, what can this offer us? Yes, Kenny Wormald, who's taking Kevin Bacon's role, is pretty - and can dance, it seems (he was in Center Stage: Turn it Up), and so is Julianne Hough, playing the preacher's daughter, who's previous credits include Burlesque and Show Me The Money as a Million Dollar Dancer (I kid you not). But they're not Kevin and Lori Singer. And yes, it looks much sexier than the '84 film, but it won't be the same without Kenny Loggins on the soundtrack. I shudder to think what they may have done to that daggy and danceable title tune for this remake.

Okay, so we know that pop culture moves much more quickly these days, but classics like Footloose should transcend the test of time and not need to be remade. It is 27 years old - lead actor Kenny was born the year it was released, and it's older than its new leading lady - but it's timeless, in its own way. It's a complete product of 1984, and says so much about America and popular culture at that time. The only thing this remake will tell future generations about 2011 is how bereft we are of new ideas.

And if Footloose is getting the sexed-up treatment, what hope is there for Xanadu? Or Can't Stop The Music? These two are spectacularly wonderful pieces of camp celluloid that say so much about the innocence of the time. Can you imagine a 2011 version of the Village People's feature film adventures? Back in 1980, when both films were released, mainstream society didn't really know what gay was, and that the Village People were the epitome of all things queer. If it were remade today, it'd be rated R and have more baby-oiled male bodies writhing in overtly homoerotic pole dance routines than a Kylie Minogue concert. And can you really imagine a souped-up version of Xanadu speeding into 3D cinemas on roller blades in burlesque costumes? It would lose its ironic campery immediately.

Let's just hope they leave the 1980 version of Flash Gordon well and truly alone in all its kitsch and gauche glory.

So please Hollywood, won't someone think of the children, and leave your wonderful back catalogue alone. How about coming up with some new ideas instead.

Tim Hunter, Citysearch

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