Is I Spit on Your Grave Another Remake that Misses Societal Relevance?

Grindhouse remake 'I Spit in Your Grave' stars Sarah Butler and just may be the controversial movie of 2010. Critics, like Roger Ebert, consider the film to be a horrible waste of cinema. Other negative reviews highlight that it was remade just for money, violence without context, lack of character development and irrelevance to current society. Of course, "I Spit on Your Grave" isn't the first controversial remake to miss its mark.

Original vs. Remake

'I Spit on Your Grave' is the remake of the surprisingly feminist 1978 B-movie 'Day of the Woman.' The main character, Jennifer Hill (played by Sarah Butler in the remake) is an independent city dwelling novelist, who travels on her own and controls her own destiny. She takes off to a cabin alone and is repeatedly raped by rednecks, while her manuscript is also being defiled. Miraculously, she survives and uses her femininity to exact deadly revenge on her attackers.

A lot of this message is lost in 2010, in a time where it is common for women to be strong, independent and successful. But it isn't just the lack of message that is garnering bad review. Egbert is turned off by the gratuitous violence, lack of character development and dialogue. Others considered the remake to boil the movie down to a straight slice 'em dice 'em revenge flick.

Bad Movie Remakes: 'Thirteen Ghosts'

Another bad movie remake similar to 'I Spit on Your Grave,' in that is controversial for missing the tone of the original, is 2001's 'Thirteen Ghosts.' This bad remake attempts to take William Castle's 1960 campy ghost movie and turn it into something it's not--a true horror film.

Never mind that audience's are always wary of a remake, the second incarnation just fell flat. It doesn't take into account or misjudges its audiences' sophistication. Remember the corpulent spook in a diaper? I rest my case.

According to Box Office Mojo, 'Thirteen Ghosts' domestically grossed just under its $42 million production costs, even though it was the second earner on opening weekend. It was $26.6 million in foreign sales that made the movie a small profit.

Irrelevant Remake: 'The Stepford Wives'

A controversial remake whose original was part of our pop culture and that also loses its impact for not being as relevant to present society is 2004's 'The Stepford Wives.' This is the first movie incarnation, but Ira Levin's 1975 novel and two television sequels set a precedent. Like 'I Spit on Your Grave the message of the remake was less relevant to modern audiences. The feminist upheaval in society that was present in the 70s was long over. The By 2004, women were no longer expected to be robot perfect and keep their men happy.

It also doesn't help that the remake doesn't seem to know which direction to take. Was it funny, a thriller or a social message? Who knows? It was just confusing.

The $90 million budget only saw a $59.4 million return domestically. Foreign sales only boosted the movie to a $12 million profit.

The Movie Remake that Got It Right: 'The Ring'

The controversy behind the remaking of Hideo Nakata's 'Ringu' could be condensed to one question. Would the Hollywood version of the film dishonor the brilliance of the 1998 Japanese cult classic?

It didn't. The 2002 remake 'The Ring' repackage and slicked up the original for mass American consumption. The basic story line was kept intact, even if it did lack some of the buildup and finessed dread of the original had. The remake was visually superior, courtesy of its bigger budget. Not the genius of 'Ringu' but an impressive effort.

'The Ring' also tapped into society's love of urban legends, giving us an understanding and context to put the violence in. "I Spit on Your Grave" may lack that connection.

Audiences positively responded to that effort, according to Box Office Mojo figures. 'The Ring' grossed over $129 million domestically, not bad for a $48 million movie. Combined with foreign sales, the remake raked in over $129 million. Something tells me the shabby 'I Spit on Your Grave Remake' won't fare as well. Successful remakes have a healthy respect for the original and their audiences.

Sources:

ISpitonYourGraveMovie.com
"I Spit on Your Grave Review" Roger Ebert, SunTimes.com
"Thirteen Ghosts" BoxOfficeMojo.com
"The Stepford Wives" BoxOfficeMojo.com
"The Ring" BoxOfficeMojo.com