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Secret of NIMH Remake
10 years ago
First of all, thank you to all who commented on my last journal and asked me on Skype or messenger if I was okay yesterday. Today I am much better, I am feeling at 100% and I'm back to feeling like my normal self, which can be good and bad lol. It appears it was just a stomach bug and I am eating like normal today without any problem. Thank you all for your kindness and for caring about me. Now onto the journal topic.
Wow, I'm amazed how many people have told me, within this past week or so since the announcement, that there is going to be a remake of the Secret of NIMH. Hurr hurr it's not like I'm constantly blabbing to everyone incessantly about how it's my absolute favorite movie of all time :B But yes, people wanted to know my thoughts about it, or to warn me that this was happening.
My initial reaction to this was honestly just fangirl mode "OOH NIMH!!!" Another mouse movie! Then, I sort of took a neutral stance of, "We'll see how this turns out, it could be good, it could be bad." But now I'm swayed in the direction that I think most people fall into right now "This is not going to be good..."
Let's begin by stating the obvious: THIS ISN'T A MOVIE THAT NEEDS TO BE REMADE!! But okay, sure, Hollywood is in the habit of it so why not? Awful... Now let's go to the next unfortunate part of this. It seems they want to take it in a direction that is more lighthearted than the original Don Bluth movie. It is described as "an origin story in which an imperiled mouse protagonist befriends a comical crew of lab rats as they turn hyper-intelligent." Comical crew of lab rats??? It'll be written by Michael Berg who did Ice Age 5, great! Sounds like only the best people out there are working on this movie! This is totally not going to be another Smurfs or Alvin and the Chipmunks type movie (oops, they actually used those two movies as examples). Well, what they meant by that is, it's going to be a live action movie with CG rats and mice. Excuse me while I go flush myself down the fucking toilet (aka mouse suicide).
No seriously, we mice need to stand against this. This is going to be an insult and an awful representation of our species and we shouldn't have to stand for it! Mouse protests! All kidding aside... I can't say that I'm legitimately that angered as I've jokingly pretended to be, but can honestly say I'm not looking forward to this being anything near any of the magic of the original Secret of NIMH movie. Now, let's talk about the original movie briefly. At least, I'm going to try and keep it brief, because I could write a whole book analyzing the movie.
This is such a compelling story with a protagonist who is extremely rare in storytelling, especially today. Doug and Rob from Channel Awesome make a great point about Mrs Brisby in that this is possibly the only main protagonist who is a single mother in animated movies, but I'll go a step further and say in most mainstream storytelling in general. She is such a great character because she is not your typical strong, powerful, save the world type of character. She is a simple, humble, single mother who is legitimately scared of the outside world, but goes through great lengths facing those deathly fears head on, and she is motivated by what? By the love for her sick son! This is such an understated aspect of this character and story, and is the very definition of true bravery. Bravery is not the absence of fear. Bravery is also certainly not just a superhero facing a supervillain. Bravery is being willing to face those fears all for the love of someone else. It is hard for me not to tie this into my Indigenous culture and how this is also what we believe about bravery and what a brave person is and does, which only adds an extra element of love that I have for this story and this character. The movie however is so excellent because those fears are actually personified and brutally displayed. The movie had such a serious tone to it that people often say "treated the audience like an adult" but I think it's more of an, "it showed the audience the real world." Awful things happen: loved ones die too soon in tragedies, you face family crises, you see the face of torture, you see the ugliness of politics, you see the brutality of a kill-or-be-killed society. Yet, you can make it through the darkness with the love you have for those around you and the bravery that is motivated by that love. Brilliant!
Now cue the record scratch and let's quickly be reminded of what's being said about this remake. They're already trying to reassure us that it's going to be more lighthearted and that it's going to be comical. These are already the first things they are telling us about the remake, and that's unfortunate because now it sounds like they just want to make a comedy out of something that just has a remarkable about of profound storytelling. Quite honestly, I'm more mad that animated movies have to do this and that they can't be more serious like Secret of NIMH was. I hate that everything has to be light-hearted, and while I don't mind light-hearted themed movies, not all of us live in candy land. Life is brutal, and more brutal for some than others. I want to see something I can relate to. I can't relate to any of these cartoons nowadays, and for that matter I can't relate to a lot of a good amount of Disney movies out there for other reasons, though I am still certain they'll all be better movies than what we're about to see come out of MGM. So, what was closer to the real world as was Secret of NIMH is now turned into this comical relief story that I'm certain will mellow out all of the dangers that Mrs Brisby, or Mrs Frisby depending on what they decide to call her, had to face. That's an insult to the character and everything she stood for and belittles all the struggles she fought through.
Just as a final comment, this is, again, so typically Hollywood. Everything is being remade. It is partially our fault, we're consuming all the remakes so it makes sense for them to do things they know will get a reaction. But it's also an element of, Hollywood has become so plastic. It's not even just about them being remakes, it's about who they're getting for some of these movies too. Some of these actors I swear are just cardboard-cutouts who have pretty faces that are just made to sell. Just earlier today I heard they're making another Ghostbusters movie. Really? But the final kicker was not just that it was being remade but who they were casting as one of the ghostbusters. They were casting Channing Tatum as one of the ghostbusters and calling it a very action oriented type film. The original cast was perfect because they were the perfect guys to play this group of sort of eccentric outcasts/societal rejects who end up saving everyone. Remember how much of dorks those guys looked? Now they cast Channing Tatum. Please just image search Channing Tatum, and look at his face expressions. He has that eyes half open "not quite smile" "hot guy" expression that has characterizes Hollywood. It's just so fake, no one's face expression is naturally like that. But that's Hollywood in a nutshell, so are we surprised all of this is happening? Perhaps, once again, we are to blame for it. We are consuming all of it. (Well you guys are, It's extremely rare for me now to go see a movie)
Well that's it. I tried to keep this brief and I could have done better but there are my thoughts. I could honestly write even more about it as I said, but I think most of what needed to be said was said. I hope that this awful trend in movies comes to an end at some point soon, not just for the good of Hollywood but for the good of art in general. Let's consume good art form again. Let's be able to admire something for it's artistry. Let's be able to want to make something based on the passions and feelings that drive us and not based on how much money we can make out of it. Most importantly, let's be able to tell real stories with real characers again!
EDIT: I FORGOT TO MENTION THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE THIS A FRANCHISE WITH SEQUELS!!! *Scurries off toward the toilet*
Wow, I'm amazed how many people have told me, within this past week or so since the announcement, that there is going to be a remake of the Secret of NIMH. Hurr hurr it's not like I'm constantly blabbing to everyone incessantly about how it's my absolute favorite movie of all time :B But yes, people wanted to know my thoughts about it, or to warn me that this was happening.
My initial reaction to this was honestly just fangirl mode "OOH NIMH!!!" Another mouse movie! Then, I sort of took a neutral stance of, "We'll see how this turns out, it could be good, it could be bad." But now I'm swayed in the direction that I think most people fall into right now "This is not going to be good..."
Let's begin by stating the obvious: THIS ISN'T A MOVIE THAT NEEDS TO BE REMADE!! But okay, sure, Hollywood is in the habit of it so why not? Awful... Now let's go to the next unfortunate part of this. It seems they want to take it in a direction that is more lighthearted than the original Don Bluth movie. It is described as "an origin story in which an imperiled mouse protagonist befriends a comical crew of lab rats as they turn hyper-intelligent." Comical crew of lab rats??? It'll be written by Michael Berg who did Ice Age 5, great! Sounds like only the best people out there are working on this movie! This is totally not going to be another Smurfs or Alvin and the Chipmunks type movie (oops, they actually used those two movies as examples). Well, what they meant by that is, it's going to be a live action movie with CG rats and mice. Excuse me while I go flush myself down the fucking toilet (aka mouse suicide).
No seriously, we mice need to stand against this. This is going to be an insult and an awful representation of our species and we shouldn't have to stand for it! Mouse protests! All kidding aside... I can't say that I'm legitimately that angered as I've jokingly pretended to be, but can honestly say I'm not looking forward to this being anything near any of the magic of the original Secret of NIMH movie. Now, let's talk about the original movie briefly. At least, I'm going to try and keep it brief, because I could write a whole book analyzing the movie.
This is such a compelling story with a protagonist who is extremely rare in storytelling, especially today. Doug and Rob from Channel Awesome make a great point about Mrs Brisby in that this is possibly the only main protagonist who is a single mother in animated movies, but I'll go a step further and say in most mainstream storytelling in general. She is such a great character because she is not your typical strong, powerful, save the world type of character. She is a simple, humble, single mother who is legitimately scared of the outside world, but goes through great lengths facing those deathly fears head on, and she is motivated by what? By the love for her sick son! This is such an understated aspect of this character and story, and is the very definition of true bravery. Bravery is not the absence of fear. Bravery is also certainly not just a superhero facing a supervillain. Bravery is being willing to face those fears all for the love of someone else. It is hard for me not to tie this into my Indigenous culture and how this is also what we believe about bravery and what a brave person is and does, which only adds an extra element of love that I have for this story and this character. The movie however is so excellent because those fears are actually personified and brutally displayed. The movie had such a serious tone to it that people often say "treated the audience like an adult" but I think it's more of an, "it showed the audience the real world." Awful things happen: loved ones die too soon in tragedies, you face family crises, you see the face of torture, you see the ugliness of politics, you see the brutality of a kill-or-be-killed society. Yet, you can make it through the darkness with the love you have for those around you and the bravery that is motivated by that love. Brilliant!
Now cue the record scratch and let's quickly be reminded of what's being said about this remake. They're already trying to reassure us that it's going to be more lighthearted and that it's going to be comical. These are already the first things they are telling us about the remake, and that's unfortunate because now it sounds like they just want to make a comedy out of something that just has a remarkable about of profound storytelling. Quite honestly, I'm more mad that animated movies have to do this and that they can't be more serious like Secret of NIMH was. I hate that everything has to be light-hearted, and while I don't mind light-hearted themed movies, not all of us live in candy land. Life is brutal, and more brutal for some than others. I want to see something I can relate to. I can't relate to any of these cartoons nowadays, and for that matter I can't relate to a lot of a good amount of Disney movies out there for other reasons, though I am still certain they'll all be better movies than what we're about to see come out of MGM. So, what was closer to the real world as was Secret of NIMH is now turned into this comical relief story that I'm certain will mellow out all of the dangers that Mrs Brisby, or Mrs Frisby depending on what they decide to call her, had to face. That's an insult to the character and everything she stood for and belittles all the struggles she fought through.
Just as a final comment, this is, again, so typically Hollywood. Everything is being remade. It is partially our fault, we're consuming all the remakes so it makes sense for them to do things they know will get a reaction. But it's also an element of, Hollywood has become so plastic. It's not even just about them being remakes, it's about who they're getting for some of these movies too. Some of these actors I swear are just cardboard-cutouts who have pretty faces that are just made to sell. Just earlier today I heard they're making another Ghostbusters movie. Really? But the final kicker was not just that it was being remade but who they were casting as one of the ghostbusters. They were casting Channing Tatum as one of the ghostbusters and calling it a very action oriented type film. The original cast was perfect because they were the perfect guys to play this group of sort of eccentric outcasts/societal rejects who end up saving everyone. Remember how much of dorks those guys looked? Now they cast Channing Tatum. Please just image search Channing Tatum, and look at his face expressions. He has that eyes half open "not quite smile" "hot guy" expression that has characterizes Hollywood. It's just so fake, no one's face expression is naturally like that. But that's Hollywood in a nutshell, so are we surprised all of this is happening? Perhaps, once again, we are to blame for it. We are consuming all of it. (Well you guys are, It's extremely rare for me now to go see a movie)
Well that's it. I tried to keep this brief and I could have done better but there are my thoughts. I could honestly write even more about it as I said, but I think most of what needed to be said was said. I hope that this awful trend in movies comes to an end at some point soon, not just for the good of Hollywood but for the good of art in general. Let's consume good art form again. Let's be able to admire something for it's artistry. Let's be able to want to make something based on the passions and feelings that drive us and not based on how much money we can make out of it. Most importantly, let's be able to tell real stories with real characers again!
EDIT: I FORGOT TO MENTION THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE THIS A FRANCHISE WITH SEQUELS!!! *Scurries off toward the toilet*
And I agree that this is NOT a movie that needs to be remade... What's next, An American Tail? Now, if they wanted to do a remake that would make fans happy, they would make a movie based more closely on the original book, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NiMH, and animate it traditionally.
Just my two cents.
I know some people say that there is so much that can be done with CG and that it gets an "unfair" representation as "easier" to do than 2D animation but, to be honest, and idk if it's just nostalgia bias, but I feel like there is nothing that can ever replace 2D animation in my heart.
-Juniper 'Stands Firm'
As for the proposed live action/CGI, like other such films, I simply won't go. Too bad it'll still make money 'cause so many folks will go just to bring their kids to a "kids flick".
Honestly, it /could/ be done. The source material /is/ different from Don Bluth's interpretation, so lets say they followed that, I believe it could be good. I'm always leery of judging anything before it comes out (or we see some substantial trailers/production shots).
And yeah. Hollywood is a business, not an art house. People need to get on board with that. People buy the trash, and the trash makes 10x more than the "arty" stuff, so obviously they'll keep making it. Movies aren't made to hang in the Lourve, they're made to make some serious cash. I wouldn't be shocked if this made good money, even if it was complete trash. That's like telling Barnes and Noble to stop selling the Bible because its their best seller.
if they need to remake a don bluth movie so bad.. pick one of the ones in dire need of being remade.. rockadoodle perhaps.. though that movie is really fun and entertaining in its own right, but it definitely could use improvement.. and its a whole lot more "lighthearted" in parts.. why don't people think kids cant take dark things anymore?
hell, even all dogs go to heaven would be a better choice.. sigh.
Whenever I think about Nimh movies another franchise comes to mind. [Christopher Lambert]There can be only one[/Christopher Lambert].
Dominus tecum
I know some films are classics but in my opinion there can't always just be one version of one story, I'm open to seeing at least a few other interpretations. That it's going to be CGI kinda makes it interesting as we've come a long way since the 80's - granted, most of the computer-animated films or CGI characters with human live-action interaction, mileage may vary on what film used it best - but still.
What we have to consider is that considering there were a few books in the NIMH series, at least if I recall right, those would be the sequel. Just like there were several Basil the mouse detective adventure stories back in the day.
I think the internet should open to the idea of what may come until some more details. For as long as I've been hearing the NIMH movie reboot/remake there hasn't been a whole lot of information on it in the years to come; I haven't checked anything new about it in years but it seems like the idea of it has come and gone over the years very much like Dan's Ghostbusters 3 concept since 1996, lol.
Personally, when you think about it-- consider this: anything, anything they do, now or later, will be a gazillion times better than Secret of NIMH 2. If anything, I would consider a CGI version of the original NIMH film, or book, a giant leap forward and even an 'apology' to fans for making that godawful animated sequel.
Don Bluth did the original with so limited funds, and it turned out amazing.
From what you said, I think the remake will focus less on the story and more on CGI eye candy.
I am not sure if I really want to see it, I am afraid they will butcher it.
If it was the original being re-released in theaters, I be there in a heart beat.
Traditional animation is sadly becoming less and less these days.
I love traditional animation way more than this computer and/or CGI animated films.
The actors he got for some roles are amazing, like Dom DeLuise.
I am curious as to what Don Bluth would say about this remake tho.
And hey, glad to hear that you're feeling better. :3
These remake fads are very curious. I remember when the fad was to remake everything Darker and Edgier. Now it's "Wholesome Family Goofy Fun" or something like that. Weird.
NIMH 2 was an apalling abomination I refused to watch. This next salvo is an oafish affront to the memory of Robert O'Brien and the still-living Don Bluth.
On a slightly different note, Neither Wolf Nor Dog is entering final production stage.
https://www.kickstarter.com/project.....-nor-dog-movie
am i being over the top paranoid about this? maybe. but its too consistent, even if it weren't intentional.