Have we run out of ideas or are old things really popular again? It seems like everyday, something old is new again. Whether it’s clothing, movies, or video games, the retro train is in effect. Question in turn, do you ride or stand idly and confused as it rushes past you. As for myself, I’m somewhere in the middle. I enjoy some retro things but confused why it’s needed. I point my direction to two genres; movies and video games. There’s a certain line I draw when it comes to digging up the past, let’s take a look, shall we?

I’ll start with movies. I suppose when I see a movie, I look for something original. Even if it’s a movie that was originally a book, as long as it’s fresh to the silver screen then I don’t mind. When Hollywood decides to remake an old movie or return to a series after many years, I need to ask the question; WHY!? A couple movies currently stand out to me right now. The first movie that’s in the works to be retro-ly remade is “Footloose”. Yes, the movie with a dancing Kevin Bacon. Seriously, a 20 year movie needs to be remade for a younger generation? No, honestly, just stop. Another movie that’s in remake process is “The Karate Kid”. I know, you simply cannot top the original. I don’t care if Will Smith’s kid is battling ninja aliens, don’t touch this movie.

Now another Hollywood idiot maneuver is making sequels to good movies. Indiana Jones, while exciting to see a return, just didn’t do it for me. You had two directors pretty much flinging their monkey shit ideas at each other and whatever two pieces hit, that’s what ended up in the movie. Indiana Jones was an awesome trilogy - a trilogy is 3 movies long, the 4th wasn’t needed. I just heard a rumor that a possible sequel for “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” was being tossed around. Do we need to revisit a movie that’s what, 20 years old now and a character that been forgotten for 15 years? No, we do not. Hollywood, you are a whore and a butcher.

Now, onto video games. With games, I think if it’s released in it’s original form with slightly graphical enhancements, then we have a retro winner. A game like the newly released “Lode Runner” just doesn’t do it for me. Take a game that’s 20 years old, release it in today’s market and have the few people who actually remember it will make a purchase. No thanks, I played the original and that’s what I’d want to play again. Bionic Commando is and always will be a NES game to me. Regardless of the current remake, it’s not where you belong.

The re-release of OutRun is a nice rendition though. It stays true to the original form and concept without adding all new power ups or objectives. The Xbox360 Arcade game “1989 TMNT Arcade” is perfect in it’s entirety. It’s exactly HOW I remember it and it’s how I WANT to remember it. If you’re going to remake a classic, keep it as a classic. Super Street Fighter II HD Turbo Hyper Ultimate California Remix does a good job of this, remaster the original while keeping the original gameplay.

Now, before I conclude this article, I want to point out a few things. First, not all retro remakes are horrible. Some are pretty decent but the fact remains that you should not touch a classic movie or game. Second, and it’s rare, but some of these remakes surpass it’s original counterpart. Kudos to those that are deemed worthy, it’s a nearly impossible task. So the question is turned to you viewers, how do you feel about the retro come backs? Love  them, hate them? Does it seem like ideas are wasted on retro remakes or are they what we need? Please discuss below.