Why we need more remakes like A Star is Born
It's pretty common to see reviews of movies before they've even hit theaters, as critics and celebrities are offered pre-screenings before any of us 'normal' people get a peek.
From what I saw, it was mostly positive reviews when A Star is Born, Bradley Cooper's directorial debut, was getting ready for its public release. In fact, on Rotten Tomatoes, a popular site for movie reviews, a 'Certified Fresh' rating was solidified for the film, and it currently still stands at 90%. Celebrities all over Instagram and Twitter raved over its classic take on an age-old story:
As a moviegoer, I enjoyed the movie immensely. It was (no spoilers) beautiful and tragic, and a touching story about fame, addiction, and love. Let's be real here: I saw it twice.
One thing I've been noticing is that in almost every review, writers and personalities are quick to note the fact that the story is one that has been told and retold over the years...four times total, in fact (if you don't count What Price Hollywood, which it seems a lot of writers don't). It's been interesting to read about every time I come across one of these pieces-- why is it the retelling we're so obsessed with, rather than the idea of a timeless story that deserves to be revisited every few years as the idea of celebrity ebbs and flows?
Vanity Fair put it pretty perfectly in this article where they note that "watching any telling of A Star Is Born is like taking a Starline bus tour through the anxieties, social dynamics, and vices of Hollywood in that era." Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's characters certainly touch on these anxieties, or at least give us a peek into what fame might be like if any of us were to make it big in 2018-- an idea that I think all of us entertain at least once or twice in our lives.
When I look at a movie like A Star is Born, I see a gorgeous, dramatic story that deserve to be remade, and I'm not sure why that fact is constantly being scrutinized. I compare it to every Marvel movie that's come out in the past ten years-- seriously, how many Spidermen have we had compared to brooding, gorgeous Jackson Maines?
We've had three different iterations of the friendly neighborhood Spiderman since Tobey Maguire's debut in the 2002 film by Sam Raimi, and three Incredible Hulks since Eric Bana's in 2003 (and we could go all the way back to the amazing Lou Ferrigno in 1988 if we want to). Why is it that we have no problem with a recurring superhero, but when it comes to a lovestruck pop starlet, we have to criticize how often she appears in the storyline?
We could discuss the benefits and detriments of A Star is Born and why each point gives it more legs to stand on as a remake, but I think it's just a good freaking movie-- and that, alone, is why we need more of it or stories like it. Can the same be said for 2003's Hulk?
Nope. Sorry, Eric Bana.
What did you think of the film? Let us know in the comments.