5 Reboots and Sequels That Are Worth Watching
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Reboots and sequels have gained a bit of a bad reputation in recent years. And with films like Power Rangers it’s easy to see why people have come to expect less and less from Hollywood reboots and sequels in general.
However, it’s important to note that not all reboots and sequels are bad. In fact, there are quite a few who stand out and are valuable contributions to modern film. So with that in mind, here are our picks of the five reboots and sequels that are worth watching!
Little Women (2019)
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Greta Gerwig is one of the best modern auteurs in contemporary cinema. CNN highlights how her four nominations for “Lady Bird” were made even more impressive considering the film was her directorial debut. Considering the success of “Lady Bird”, it’s not really surprising that the “Little Women” remake was as good as it was.
Gerwig manages to strike the balance between respecting the source material and injecting a healthy dose of freshness into the film. Gerwig also makes the most out of the film’s star-studded cast to create a truly wonderful cinematic experience that’s both emotionally affective and technically brilliant.
A Star Is Born (2018)
Speaking of directorial debuts, 2018’s “A Star Is Born” was Bradley Cooper’s first foray into the directorial chair. And while it didn’t win any major awards, it was undoubtedly one of the year’s best films. In fact, USA Today described it as “goosebump-inducing”. And that somehow is an understatement.
Anyone who watched the film came away deeply moved, as we watched the ups and downs of stardom, as Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga take us on a deeply emotional journey that explores the psyche of a damaged artist. Indeed, the film manages to pull audiences in from the very first moment to the last.
Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020)
Now, sequels to cult classics rarely end up being successful. Sometimes, the more beloved the film is in the past the worse it fairs when in the present. And when we’re talking about cult classics, there are few films that have done better than “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure”. In fact, a Gala Spins feature on movies that inspired slots highlights how beloved “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” was when it first came out in the late 1980s. This explains its prominence across different mediums in the world of pop culture. However, there is always an exception to the rule as “Bill & Ted Face the Music” was quite a pleasant surprise.
What often goes wrong with these types of films is that they try too hard to bring old material into the future. What this film does differently is that it leans into the differences, to create a charming and fun ride for audiences to enjoy. Couple this with the stellar performances from Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) and you’ve got yourself an hour and a half of non-stop fun.
Jumanji: The Next Level (2020)
Speaking of fun, the latest incarnation of “Jumanji” was quite the wild ride. And while people mostly expected this film to be bad (and it is far from perfect), it does deliver when it comes to the fun department. One can hardly go wrong with a cast that includes Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black.
Now, the film doesn’t do anything too different. It features the same CGI-heavy thrills from the first film, coupled with some jokes sprinkled in between high octane action scenes. However, what makes this film different is the sheer absurdity of it. Subtlety was thrown out the window, as the film leans into the silly slapstick antics for the sake of entertainment. If you’ve ever wanted to watch the Rock do Danny DeVito impressions, then “Jumanji: The Next Level” is just the film for you.
