The original Red Dawn featured a number of awesome things: John Milius, Patrick Swayze, Harry Dean Stanton screaming “AVENGE ME!” to his sons through the chain-link fence of a Soviet work camp; and a certain tiger-blooded, Adonis-DNA’ed serial winner who was then at the height of his powers. It was an overwrought action flick/melodrama, to be sure, but it was also a cultural marker: the age of détente was over, and the age of Reagan had arrived in full.
By contrast, the long-stalled remake has become a sick joke. To wit: MGM has taken the extraordinary step of digitally scrubbing the film of all references to Red China as the invading villains — substituting dialogue, removing images of Chinese flags and insignia etc. — because “potential distributors are nervous about becoming associated with the finished film, concerned that doing so would harm their ability to do business with the rising Asian superpower.” All without the PRC even uttering a single word of protest.
And who are the new invaders? North Korea. That’s right, the starving-to-death, massively brainwashed “Hermit Kingdom.” I imagine at this very moment, Hollywood script doctors are working on a revised first act in which Kim Jong Il decides it’s a good ideato let hundreds of thousands of his captive countrymen travel to America.
The North Korean horde — lacking a blue-water navy and any airborne capacity to speak of — would then, I imagine, travel through Russia and cross the Bering Strait into Alaska, living off . . . er, the land or something . . . before eventually making its way to Michigan, where the film is set. Or wait, even better! The Norks sneak across the 38th parallel, through the DMZ, and steal most or all of the U.S. Pacific Fleet while the U.S. Navy is on shore leave!
Yessir, it’s practically cinéma vérité.
Amazingly, this filmhas managed to become a sort of self-referential warning, a pop-cultural Liar’s Paradox. That is, the awfulness of the new Red Dawn is the strongest argument there is for why we need a new Red Dawn.
I'm actually not surprised by this cowardice at all. I remember when they first announced the remake, I thought it was a bad idea-- "Wait, how is Hollywood going to get away with making the CHINESE the bad guys?"
Looks like they solved THAT problem. Ridiculous.
At least the Chinese made some sort of sense. In 2011 you wouldn't even need a hostile invasion ala the original movie, a screenwriter could just wave it away and say the Chinese arrived to collect on the Great American Default of 2012. One simple stroke and you'd solve all the ludicrous scenarios where the Chinese could possibly *militarily* invade the North American continent (heck, the *Soviets* couldn't have done it back in the day, but at least in 1985 it was easier to suspend disbelief in pursuit of a great yarn).
It's not cowardice, it's capitalism. Our government isn't making this film, corporations are. It would be foolish of them not to protect their interests in the fastest growing foreign market.
This remake is a money making venture. If they lose money on it, it makes no sense at all for them to make it.
tflavin : really? It's your contention that for the film to make money it must be boffo in China? China don't pay for no stinking Hollywood movie, they pirate it.
Have they considered making the invaders Tea Party, Christian activists wearing Sarah Palin tee shirts? They could air drop in from Alaska and imprison Wisconsin teachers who would then call through a chain link fence "Avenge my pension!"
Anyway, what can you expect from that den of cretins that is Hollywood, which took Tom Clancy's "Sum Of All Fears" and changed the bad guys from Islamist Jihadists and German communist terrorists to... (wait for it).... you guessed it -- a bunch of white South African racists.
Forget "Red Dawn" -- what we need is for some rich pro-American philanthropist to fund a movie version of this: External Link
tflavin, while correct on the money-driven impulse in Hollywood, the only way your contention makes sense is if Hollywood REFUSED to greenlight the Sino-centric Red Dawn remake in the first place.
The producers and studios knew the script they were making, it was *always* the Chinese. They filmed the movie, and now they're changing it. Why? Because what is obvious to us in foresight is now obvious to them in hindsight: a film depicting a Chinese invasion of the United States *doesn't put China in a very positive light*.
Personally, I'm wondering whether the movie is better than we've been led to believe, i.e. the studios always knew the Chinese were the bad guys, but until they saw the finished film, they didn't know HOW bad they were-- and thus got cold feet and decided, "Hey, we've gotta reshoot this thing, it's waaay too strong."
Oh, and ditto denroy: the Chinese don't pay for movies anyway, so this whole story makes no sense from ANY perspective.
Yet another re-make I wont be seeing, of course even the 'new' stuff hollymoron puts out is the same old rehashed story you've seen a hundred time before.
Between the stagnation of their ideology, and their total lack of creativity, we're more likely to be watching Chinese made movies in the future than hollywood remakes!
"It's your contention that for the film to make money it must be boffo in China? "
No, things are rarely that simple. I wasn't talking about ticket sales. MGM owns hotels, resorts, etc. Also, Sony owns MGM, and they have a vast array of products to move in the Chinese market.
Sony/MGM are concerned with the big picture, not just the box office take on this single film. And as well they should be....
Frankly, I'm just happy the antagonists are North Koreans and not Tea Partiers led by Generals Beck, Palin & Limbaugh. Although, if they aren't entirely done editing the film, I guess that's still a possibility.
Why should anyone be surprised by this? Even in 1984 (when the original Red Dawn was made) Hollywood was already hip-deep in actors, actresses, writers, directors, and producers willing to lick the Soviet Union's boots for nothing.
Given a little more pressure I am sure MGM could be persuaded to make Red Dawn about an illegal war started by the Koch brothers. The North Koreans could be portrayed as innocent victims of American imperialism in Iraq and Afghanistan, invading Michigan only to make universal health care available to the downtrodden Detroit union workers.
Don't feel my foot is in my mouth. I don't think you need to please China's government to make money on a film. Now if you tell me that they want to do that, then so be it. But it's not necessary. And it's cowardice as well. When you let a dictatorship make business decisions for you, it raises the worst part of capitalism to the fore, anything for a buck. But then again, with the way they make movies nowadays, they may indeed need China's market to survive.
And of course we know North Korea can't "invade" the USA without China's blessing, what with all the money they're owed.
tflavin : didn't mean to start an argument, I realize China is in a big player in the world market now. I just don't like the idea of placating them, even in ridiculous movies. I guess I'm out of luck.
@tflavin - "Sony/MGM are concerned with the big picture, not just the box office take on this single film."
I'm generally a free market guy, but you perfectly illustrate the inherent dangers of enormous and diversified, big-media companies. Film becomes much less about art and "truth", and more about protecting the larger assets and earning potential of the parent company.
If I could waive the magic wand, I wouldn't let broadcast networks own film studios, or radio stations, or local stations or publishing houses or casinos, foreign or abroad. We now have 4 boards of directors controlling well-more than 80% of the aggregate media market. That's not good.
Okay, having looked at the latest figures, I admit that I stand corrected: the Chinese *are*, FINALLY, paying for movies, as long as they're first-run shown in a theater.
The aftermarket, however, indisputably remains a piratical disaster. DVD sales, rentals, and TV rights account for 40% of domestic U.S. profits, money that simply can't be made at all in China when 90% of all aftermarket films are pirated.
That said, none of that detracts from the main point: this isn't about money, it's about cowardice. Not only did MGM willingly sign on to make a China-bashing movie only to get cold feet after it was finished, they're not junking the movie but replacing the bad guys with North Koreans-- fellow communists who are nominally Chinese allies. How does *that* choice make any more money for the studios? Maybe a little bit more, but it certainly doesn't save the Chinese market for a movie that will probably suck anyway.
Nope, I'm not buying the economic argument, at least not with respect to this particular movie. Oh, sure, economics DO matter-- but what's likely is that MGM fears that *ALL* of their future movies will be banned from Chinese distribution if they were to release one movie that took the Chinese to task.
I'm actually not surprised by this cowardice at all. I remember when they first announced the remake, I thought it was a bad idea-- "Wait, how is Hollywood going to get away with making the CHINESE the bad guys?"
Looks like they solved THAT problem. Ridiculous.
At least the Chinese made some sort of sense. In 2011 you wouldn't even need a hostile invasion ala the original movie, a screenwriter could just wave it away and say the Chinese arrived to collect on the Great American Default of 2012. One simple stroke and you'd solve all the ludicrous scenarios where the Chinese could possibly *militarily* invade the North American continent (heck, the *Soviets* couldn't have done it back in the day, but at least in 1985 it was easier to suspend disbelief in pursuit of a great yarn).
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhy don't they remake Pluto Nash or Battlefield Earth while they're at it. Sheesh. Wasn't suffering through one Red Dawn enough?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt's not cowardice, it's capitalism. Our government isn't making this film, corporations are. It would be foolish of them not to protect their interests in the fastest growing foreign market.
This remake is a money making venture. If they lose money on it, it makes no sense at all for them to make it.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusetflavin : really? It's your contention that for the film to make money it must be boffo in China? China don't pay for no stinking Hollywood movie, they pirate it.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHave they considered making the invaders Tea Party, Christian activists wearing Sarah Palin tee shirts? They could air drop in from Alaska and imprison Wisconsin teachers who would then call through a chain link fence "Avenge my pension!"
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe makers of the newly released game Homefront actually got the North Korean invasion thing done already. Plots just a tad too similar methinks?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTflavin is right, and Denroy receives today's YFM Award.
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Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGood point, Denroy
Anyway, what can you expect from that den of cretins that is Hollywood, which took Tom Clancy's "Sum Of All Fears" and changed the bad guys from Islamist Jihadists and German communist terrorists to... (wait for it).... you guessed it -- a bunch of white South African racists.
Forget "Red Dawn" -- what we need is for some rich pro-American philanthropist to fund a movie version of this: External Link
Mind you, I'm not holidng my breath.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusetflavin, while correct on the money-driven impulse in Hollywood, the only way your contention makes sense is if Hollywood REFUSED to greenlight the Sino-centric Red Dawn remake in the first place.
The producers and studios knew the script they were making, it was *always* the Chinese. They filmed the movie, and now they're changing it. Why? Because what is obvious to us in foresight is now obvious to them in hindsight: a film depicting a Chinese invasion of the United States *doesn't put China in a very positive light*.
Personally, I'm wondering whether the movie is better than we've been led to believe, i.e. the studios always knew the Chinese were the bad guys, but until they saw the finished film, they didn't know HOW bad they were-- and thus got cold feet and decided, "Hey, we've gotta reshoot this thing, it's waaay too strong."
Oh, and ditto denroy: the Chinese don't pay for movies anyway, so this whole story makes no sense from ANY perspective.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"Chinese arrived to collect on the Great American Default of 2012"
That's ... brilliant! And we can show all the Progressives in their collaborative glory. Hollywood will never make it, of course.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYet another re-make I wont be seeing, of course even the 'new' stuff hollymoron puts out is the same old rehashed story you've seen a hundred time before.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBetween the stagnation of their ideology, and their total lack of creativity, we're more likely to be watching Chinese made movies in the future than hollywood remakes!
"It's your contention that for the film to make money it must be boffo in China? "
No, things are rarely that simple. I wasn't talking about ticket sales. MGM owns hotels, resorts, etc. Also, Sony owns MGM, and they have a vast array of products to move in the Chinese market.
Sony/MGM are concerned with the big picture, not just the box office take on this single film. And as well they should be....
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDid someone say "ridiculous"?
External Link
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseFrankly, I'm just happy the antagonists are North Koreans and not Tea Partiers led by Generals Beck, Palin & Limbaugh. Although, if they aren't entirely done editing the film, I guess that's still a possibility.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhy should anyone be surprised by this? Even in 1984 (when the original Red Dawn was made) Hollywood was already hip-deep in actors, actresses, writers, directors, and producers willing to lick the Soviet Union's boots for nothing.
Given a little more pressure I am sure MGM could be persuaded to make Red Dawn about an illegal war started by the Koch brothers. The North Koreans could be portrayed as innocent victims of American imperialism in Iraq and Afghanistan, invading Michigan only to make universal health care available to the downtrodden Detroit union workers.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDon't feel my foot is in my mouth. I don't think you need to please China's government to make money on a film. Now if you tell me that they want to do that, then so be it. But it's not necessary. And it's cowardice as well. When you let a dictatorship make business decisions for you, it raises the worst part of capitalism to the fore, anything for a buck. But then again, with the way they make movies nowadays, they may indeed need China's market to survive.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAnd of course we know North Korea can't "invade" the USA without China's blessing, what with all the money they're owed.
Also, this is incredibly racist. Message = All Asians look alike. What a bunch of rubes!
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusetflavin : didn't mean to start an argument, I realize China is in a big player in the world market now. I just don't like the idea of placating them, even in ridiculous movies. I guess I'm out of luck.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse@tflavin - "Sony/MGM are concerned with the big picture, not just the box office take on this single film."
I'm generally a free market guy, but you perfectly illustrate the inherent dangers of enormous and diversified, big-media companies. Film becomes much less about art and "truth", and more about protecting the larger assets and earning potential of the parent company.
If I could waive the magic wand, I wouldn't let broadcast networks own film studios, or radio stations, or local stations or publishing houses or casinos, foreign or abroad. We now have 4 boards of directors controlling well-more than 80% of the aggregate media market. That's not good.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOkay, having looked at the latest figures, I admit that I stand corrected: the Chinese *are*, FINALLY, paying for movies, as long as they're first-run shown in a theater.
The aftermarket, however, indisputably remains a piratical disaster. DVD sales, rentals, and TV rights account for 40% of domestic U.S. profits, money that simply can't be made at all in China when 90% of all aftermarket films are pirated.
That said, none of that detracts from the main point: this isn't about money, it's about cowardice. Not only did MGM willingly sign on to make a China-bashing movie only to get cold feet after it was finished, they're not junking the movie but replacing the bad guys with North Koreans-- fellow communists who are nominally Chinese allies. How does *that* choice make any more money for the studios? Maybe a little bit more, but it certainly doesn't save the Chinese market for a movie that will probably suck anyway.
Nope, I'm not buying the economic argument, at least not with respect to this particular movie. Oh, sure, economics DO matter-- but what's likely is that MGM fears that *ALL* of their future movies will be banned from Chinese distribution if they were to release one movie that took the Chinese to task.
I still call that cowardice.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse