So has anything really ruined your childhood favorites?

[Plissken99]

I always get a good chuckle when remakes get announced and people get angry that part of their childhood is being destroyed. Because how can a lesser or even different movie actually ruin a childhood favorite?

Here's the original part of this thread; I ask this, because I recently found out some of my childhood favorites had effectively been detroyed. In comparing Christopher Nolans Batman trilogy to the 1st two Tim Burton movies(never mind three and four), they are borderline unwatchable. I was 6 when Batman came out in 1990, and I remember begging my parents to let me see it(which they did). After that Batman was the coolest hero, he had the best costume and Nicholsons Joker was amazing. I two Batmobiles, one was RC! Of course Batman Returns was a bit of a dissapointment, but still really good I thought back then. I can remember really wanting to like Batman Forever, but I was 12 and I think it's cut off age was 9 lol. I won't even mention the one that came after by name.

But anyway, after seeing Dark Knight Rises, which as far as I'm concerned is a flawless entry in a near flawless trilogy, I went back to watch Burtons Batman. I had a hard time making it to the end credits. In contrast to Nolans trilogy... Nolans is to Burtons, what Burtons is to the 60's TV show. Nicholson's Joker is still excellent(best part of the movie), but overshadowed by Ledgers, combined with the fact that Jokers mythology was way off in Burtons Batman. I can still appreciate it for what it was, but ultimately I don't hold it in nearly as high a regard as I do the new ones. Plus I've lost a lot of respect for Tim Burton over the years, and the latter two sequels did diminish the originals a bit.

So my childood favorite wasn't destroyed by a shitty remake, but a vastly superior one... I wonder if deep down thats what people really fear when they say that about remakes, that they could actually like something better. Anyone have a similar experience?

[Jordashebasics]

I'm about 3 years older than you, and I remember being enthralled with the '89 Batman. I enjoyed Batman Returns. I've never cared for Batman Forever, it mostly just feels dull. Batman & Robin is fantastic, but needs to be watched in 15-20 minute chunks, and treated more like a continuation of the Adam West Batman.

I don't feel like Nolan's treatment of the character has any influence over my enjoyment of the '89 Batman. Nolan's Batman lives in something that more closely resembles the real world. Burton's Batman lives in a very different world, more of a comic book world. A little skewed, and very gothic.

[twonunpackmule]

I've not had the pleasure of experiencing a newer film ruining an older one. I don't think Nolan's films outclass Burton's because I get something/the offer something that Nolan doesn't. Now, I was never really a fan of 89. It was always a goofy film. Even when I was a kid. I remember skipping large portions of the films dieting my screenings.

Returns was always my favorite. It's still high on my list. I love the film. But, I get something different out of it. The film just works really well with my interest in storytelling. The approach. Always been a fan of artitecture, especially gothic design. Semi-obssesed with dreams and nightmares. So early Burton was a huge inspiration for me. As was Gilliam and older 50s animation like Fantasia. I was a very odd kid. Still am a very odd adult.

I think the only time I had anything ruin for me was when I first read The Hobbit in 5th grade. I grew up on the animated film and decided to rewatch it after my reading. I realized how breezy the film was. It just blazed through my favorite parts. I always felt it was missing an hour. This has been a large criticism of mine in animation in general. I think a lot of the films are just too short. Mainly, the ones that try to cover serious issues or very vibrant themes.

Anyway, I don't hate the Rankin Bass cartoon. I think it nails the tone of the story. Love the designs. It definitely feels dated, but I think that just makes the whole thing feel more genuine. Making JRR Tolkien modern is the wrong approach. The structure of the stories are more based in traditional folk/mediveal stories than than the modern romance adventures like Dumas or Cervantes.

Besides that, I cannot think of another. Well, besides the typical kiddy bullshit.

I've had sequels ruin previous entries. That's a different story. *cough * The Matrix *cough*

[thejnc]

I don't hate the Transformers flicks like some others, but I despise the G.I. Joe movie. Although they did have better aim in the movie.

[twonunpackmule]

Oh, I lied. I actually been thinking about this question and I have a better answer...

Die Hard 4!

That movie is awful!

Though, maybe that still does t quite classify.

[JSmith]

For me there is no movie made today that could diminish my appreciation of the movies I grew up with.

Having said that, there are movies made in recent years that have diminished my respect for certain actors/writers

Since Rambo 4, my respect for Stallone has dropped a great deal. Everything he has made since then has reduced my respect for the man even more. His recent efforts make me embarresed for him, its like seeing a middle aged dude with the maturity of an 18 year old.

[Josh Z]

A lot of childhood favorites are ruined just by watching them as adults. The original Fright Night has huge legions of fans who fell in love with it when they were kids. If you've never seen it, I don't recommend doing so if you're older than 12 and if it's not currently 1985.

[cardpetree]

As long as they don't try to remake The Goonies I'll be ok. I can still watch that movie over and over.

I was 12 when I saw the 89 Batman and I was absolutely fascinated by it. I even had like 5 or 6 Batman t-shirts. I can't watch more than 5 minutes of that movie now. I find it painfully boring now.

[JSmith]

As long as they don't try to remake The Goonies I'll be ok. I can still watch that movie over and over.

I was 12 when I saw the 89 Batman and I was absolutely fascinated by it. I even had like 5 or 6 Batman t-shirts. I can't watch more than 5 minutes of that movie now. I find it painfully boring now.

That may be because of the evolution of movies. Movies today contain a lot more action, more sophisticated CGI and more montages to cut to the chase in scenes. It is only natural when you go back to the older movies, they may seem a little boring.

I reckon movies like The Great Escape would be a complete flop at the box office if they were made today. I never get tired of it though.

[Josh Z]

I can't watch more than 5 minutes of that movie now. I find it painfully boring now.

Funny, that's how I feel about The Dark Knight Rises.

[Pyrochaos]

Oh, I lied. I actually been thinking about this question and I have a better answer...

Die Hard 4!

That movie is awful!

Though, maybe that still does t quite classify.

I see your Die Hard 4, and Raise you one Indiana Jones 4.

[twonunpackmule]

I see your Die Hard 4, and Raise you one Indiana Jones 4.

I see your Indy 4 and raise you Finding Nemo 2.

[Pyrochaos]

I see your Indy 4 and raise you Finding Nemo 2.

Is Finding Nemo 2 real though?

I wonder how many people's childhoods were ruined by George Lucas messing with his own classics.

[twonunpackmule]

I'm pretty sure it's real.

There was too much rapage durin those Special Editions. Most of us are still going through therapy.

[Plissken99]

Now Star Wars might be one of the only true examples as it's creator is actively trying to reimagine the films differently than they were originally shot, while trying to erase the original versions. I wasn't as big a Star Wars fan as a kid as I am now, so I can only imagine how those who loved them when they were 6 might feel.