by Leah Stone
Remakes can be quite controversial. Why? Because if people consider the original or the most popular version to be utterly brilliant that they don’t see the need for another version to be created. Is the film not perfect enough as it is? And what if the new film ruins the reputation of the old one?
Remakes can be quite controversial. Why? Because if people consider the original or the most popular version to be utterly brilliant that they don’t see the need for another version to be created. Is the film not perfect enough as it is? And what if the new film ruins the reputation of the old one?
This can be said for Annie. The 1982 original film starring Aileen Quinn as Annie, Albert Finney as Mr Warbucks and Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan is perhaps the most famous incarnation of the story. It revolves around a rambunctious young orphan who is abused by the aforementioned Miss Hannigan in a rundown orphanage with only her hopes and dreams of her parents to power her through. She then crosses paths with Mr. Warbucks (a billionaire businessman) and his secretary Grace, who later adopt Annie when she realises that her parents will never come back.
It’s not like a remake hasn’t been done before. In 1999, Disney decided to tackle the story that wasn’t completely terrible but wasn’t as beloved 1982 version. In my home, it certainly wasn’t memorable and incidentally, it’s been the classic original that has stood the test of time. Which doesn’t matter entirely to Sony Pictures who, last year, decided to release yet another remake. This time with an established cast including Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhane Wallis and Cameron Diaz. Yet no amount of weighted names, or talent, could help Annie which goes desperately wrong. In fact, there are many reasons why it won the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Remake….
One of the major problems was the huge changes that had been made from the original version. It’s true, they were trying to modernise the storyline so that it fit in today’s society. Yet it just felt wrong. Those that loved the original felt cheated and dismayed. For example, Annie no longer lives in an orphanage, but in a foster home. Hannigan’s brother Rooster and his girlfriend Lily do not impersonate Annie’s parents like in the original. Instead, she hires to people to act as her parents in order to try and get Annie back. Then, by the end of the film, we realise that modern day Hannigan is completely different to the 1982 version, after she reveals that she feels guilty for trying to separate Annie and Mr Stacks, helping to reunite them.
It’s not like a remake hasn’t been done before. In 1999, Disney decided to tackle the story that wasn’t completely terrible but wasn’t as beloved 1982 version. In my home, it certainly wasn’t memorable and incidentally, it’s been the classic original that has stood the test of time. Which doesn’t matter entirely to Sony Pictures who, last year, decided to release yet another remake. This time with an established cast including Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhane Wallis and Cameron Diaz. Yet no amount of weighted names, or talent, could help Annie which goes desperately wrong. In fact, there are many reasons why it won the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Remake….
One of the major problems was the huge changes that had been made from the original version. It’s true, they were trying to modernise the storyline so that it fit in today’s society. Yet it just felt wrong. Those that loved the original felt cheated and dismayed. For example, Annie no longer lives in an orphanage, but in a foster home. Hannigan’s brother Rooster and his girlfriend Lily do not impersonate Annie’s parents like in the original. Instead, she hires to people to act as her parents in order to try and get Annie back. Then, by the end of the film, we realise that modern day Hannigan is completely different to the 1982 version, after she reveals that she feels guilty for trying to separate Annie and Mr Stacks, helping to reunite them.
Let’s not even get started on the songs which are awful despite Wallis’ singing talent. Annie is a musical at heart (although based on a comic strip) and all of the songs are played throughout all of the movie versions. Well they did, until this modern version came along. Out of the fifteen songs usually sung throughout the film, only two bore a close resemblance to the original musical numbers. Most of them were not even included in the film and were replaced by original songs, which doesn’t bode well comparatively against the original feature.
But let’s move on from the major plot and musical differences, because there are other major problems. There is the obvious use of autotune. Annie is meant to be an adorable character that melts your heart but who also isn’t afraid to speak her mind and stand up for herself. But in this remake there is just too much sugar and too much sweetness. But the time you reach her singing the original song “Opportunity” you feel like you’ve been drowning in dozens of puppies for over an hour and there’s no escape. Cameron Diaz is utterly appalling in her role as Miss Hannigan, inspiring as many laughs as a dry mop and well deserving of her Razzie nomination. I could go on.
Wallis was brilliant in Beasts of the Southern Wilds in 2012. Foxx is famous for a number of roles (including Ray, Django: Unchainged, White House Down and Spiderman 2) and Cameron Diaz has enjoyed an illustrious career (There’s Something about Mary, Shrek, Charlies Angels, My Sister’s Keeper, I could go on). However, they need to forget this cinematic atrocity and deliver more amazing performances like we know they can.
But let’s move on from the major plot and musical differences, because there are other major problems. There is the obvious use of autotune. Annie is meant to be an adorable character that melts your heart but who also isn’t afraid to speak her mind and stand up for herself. But in this remake there is just too much sugar and too much sweetness. But the time you reach her singing the original song “Opportunity” you feel like you’ve been drowning in dozens of puppies for over an hour and there’s no escape. Cameron Diaz is utterly appalling in her role as Miss Hannigan, inspiring as many laughs as a dry mop and well deserving of her Razzie nomination. I could go on.
Wallis was brilliant in Beasts of the Southern Wilds in 2012. Foxx is famous for a number of roles (including Ray, Django: Unchainged, White House Down and Spiderman 2) and Cameron Diaz has enjoyed an illustrious career (There’s Something about Mary, Shrek, Charlies Angels, My Sister’s Keeper, I could go on). However, they need to forget this cinematic atrocity and deliver more amazing performances like we know they can.
What Do You Think?
Is this film worth a watch?
Or is it a dull affair?
Let us know in the comments below!
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