I just noticed in today’s newspaper that the new version of “Flight of The Phoenix” started showing in local theaters today. Dennis Quaid plays the part of Capt Frank Towns, (Jimmy Stewart), it has a female as one of the passengers and the setting is the Mongolian Gobi desert in China instead of the African Sahara. Guess where I am going tomorrow?[wow][wow][alien]
Enjoy. I think I’ll wait for this stinker to show up on T. V. I did’nt like the previews and that tells me loads about this one.[tdn][tdn][yuck][yuck][yuck][yuck]
Remakes can never be as good as the original. They took a classic and up dated it and messed it up. Some things should be left alone. Next thing you know, they will make a up dated version of the “African Queen”. Leave the classics alone.
Don’t worry yardbird, not everyone hates it. I’m going to go see it ASAP, and I plan to see the original today. From what I hear the script follows the orginial suprisingly closly, and it’s my opinion the special effects (frowned upon by some) will add things the original couldn’t possibly acheive.
I agree, you can’t beat the classics. However- I think remakes (if done reletivly well- this one I will have to see) are a good way to introduce classic stories to a younger generation. I do admit crappy remakes rank just under crappy straight-to-video sequels of good movies on my list of annoying cinematic annoyences (for lack of a better word.). [;)] But from all I hear, although this movie isn’t a five-star production by a long shot, neither is it a total bomb.
Now I could sit here and argue with you for hours on what makes a classic a classic, but honesly it would be pointless, and might ruffle a few feathers in the process for no real reason. All I say is try and approach it with an open mind, and watch it with, at least removed curiosity. And if you don’t want to shell out any $$$$$$$ for it, wait for the video.
There it is. My two cents.
(Oh, and I disagree with the fact remakes can never be as good as the original. Case in point- Ocean’s Eleven. Wonderful, wonderful movie if you ever get a chance to see it.)
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” This is never more true than with movies. The Pearl Harbor movie from a year or two ago is a good example. Some critics blasted it terribly because of it’s various historical and equipment inaccuracies. The folks that made the movie never intended it to be precisely, historically accurate. It was a love triangle that happened to be set against the Battle of Britain, Pearl Harbor and the Doolittle raid. It was a fabulous picture for people who love airplanes, ships, the military, battle scenes and love stories, or any combination thereof.
Flight of the Phoenix has some really nice airplane shots and the mechanical aspects of converting the big plane to a small one is very intrigueing. By the way, the “engineer” in the original who converted the plane was a “model” aircraft designer. [alien]
'tis very true. I enjoyed Pearl Harbor (Jerry Brukheimer is a genius. Bad spelling, I know.). I read a review of “Flight” that said it was a “by the numbers action remake.”. He only gave it two stars. However, he also said the original was terrible, too, so… you can’t please everbody.
If you think about it, only a model aircraft designer would have the crazy idea to rearrage a whole plane just to get it flying again. Or, should I say, be crazy enough to try it.
Actually in my expersience ; the movies with the bad reviews, are the once I like.
Errrr; my other, darker side kicks in and I have to say that in the orriginal it was an R/C model engineer who had the idea ; R/C
Yes, the original “engineer” designed R/C models and it is the same in the new one.
My wife and I just returned from seeing the new version. It won’t make the “blockbuster” mega millions list, but it is still a pretty good movie and worth the price of ticket(s). There are a few credibility issues, especially with the crash sequence, but, taken with a few grains of salt, I would recommend it. They did get into the mechanical aspects of the “Morph” process a little more. BTW, I have been an R/C modeler for 34 years, so I have to say, “They are a pretty good bunch of guys.” I digress into the plastic scale models every so often for a little variety. [alien]
Now just back up there a minute: George Clooney and Brad Pitt in the same universe with the original Rat Pack? Not in 'dis crazy lifetime, pal.
And now, after that brief digression, I return to airplanes.
Tom
and if you also remember that in the original flight of the Phoenix a stunt pilot actually died flying that cobbled together contraption
Hollywood is as bereft of new ideas as it is morals…what crap tv show or cartooon will be next?
This is a great movie. Stewart, Borgnine, Kruger, etc… They just can’t leave well enough alone I guess.
Next from Dreamworks- The Sands of Iwo Jima starring Ben AFLAC as Ben AFLAC.
Right you are Mikey,
Shall we all take a moment to remember a great Aviator in Mr. Paul Mantz…
…and here’s the anatomy of what happened:
http://stripe.colorado.edu/~steinerd/Phoenix.html
God Speed Paul Mantz!
Frank [:)]
Oldhooker:
Thanks for the update on Paul Mantz. I had always admired him and what he accomplished with airplanes, both in and out of Hollywood. I knew he died in the crash of Phoenix I, but I had never known the details. Thanks again, Darwin [alien]
Hi ya Oldhooker …
Thanks a bunch for the link to the “Phoenix” site … very interesting reading … the loss of Paul Mantz was truely a sad event. The original was in my opinion a great movie … I look forward to seeing the re-make. Thanks again … [swg]
I just saw the original, and I agree, it was good. (Okay, okay- it was great.) Just a quick question- did the remake follow the original ideas as closely as I think? If so, it makes my following points a little more valid.
Looking at the original, yes, it’s a classic, but unfortunatly (if I may be the devil’s advocate for a moment) it defenitly wouldn’t fly (ha) in today’s cinematic atmosphere. Consiquently, if the remake follows the original closely it comes under flak for being “unoriginal” or, dare I say it, “boring”. However, if it deviates from the story too much by adding action shots and trying to “modernizing” it, it takes fire from those loyal to the original. It’s a lose-lose situation. In this case, “pretty good” is really the best you can get.
Of course I have no respect for remakes that slaughter the original to a bloody pulp. Those films need to be ripped out of the camera and buried in the ocean, never to be seen again.
I just re-instate my earlier opinion- well made remakes are a very good vessel to give excellent stories to a younger generation. Old timers (all in good fun, of course)- keep the original. New guys- see the new one, and see the original. That’s what I did. (Okay, I didn’t do it yet, but I will!) I just ask one thing-
don’t attack me for taking the middle ground! [;)]
Keep an open mind…
(See, I told you I could go on with this stuff all day! The next Rodger Ebert?..
I doubt it! [:D])