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Fans of the classic children's book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH were treated to animated version in 1982, retitled The Secret of NIMH. Except in the movie, there were some significant changes, like the addition of magic and mysticism, and a lot more deaths. Well, that may be rectified, since a new film adaptation of the book is in the works, one that will likely be a combination of live-action and computer-generated animation. If that had been an option back in 1982, they probably would have just done that the first time, as they would have with every other talking-animal movie made in that decade. We made a list of the animated classics that need an updated go-around, either because they didn't do the book justice or because a new version would make them that much cooler.
An American Tail (1986)
The 19th-century immigrant experience, told through the eyes of a mouse, Now, more than ever, Americans need to be reminded that this great country was built on the backs of our nation's immigrant rodents.
The Last Unicorn (1982)
A live-action version of this popular fantasy classic has been discussed, but held up due to legal issues involving the author. They'd better resolve them quick, because a new version is loooong overdue. It's about a talking unicorn, and it has a character in it named Red Bull. Do we have to paint you a picture of a giant dollar sign?
The Black Cauldron (1985)
If New Line is looking for the next Lord of the Rings, they should look at Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain series of fantasy novels. The first two books were merged into a single, gruesome film by Disney, who then had to edit out a lot of zombies and death just to get a PG rating. Make one movie out of each of the five books, and in five to ten years, somebody's getting an Oscar.
Watership Down (1978)
Bunny rabbits? Murder? Religious iconography? Those are the three things Americans love most.
The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
There are already two movies about Sherlock Holmes coming our way, Robert Downey's and Sacha Baron Cohen's, so why not throw in a remake of this film, which is basically Sherlock Holmes as a mouse? It's what Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would have wanted.
The Rescuers (1977)
Secret-agent guinea pigs? Don't make us laugh. The original rodent secret agents were Miss Bianca and Bernard, retrieval specialists with the Rescue Aid Society, who can be summoned by a message in a bottle, work with albatrosses and dragonflies, and are licensed to operate on foreign soil, if The Rescuers Down Under is any indication. Plus, there are still plenty of books left to adapt.
Rock & Rule (1983)
In this animated musical, an aging rock star uses a budding singer to summon a demon in a post-apocalyptic New York City populated by human-animal hybrids, and her former bandmates fight to save her. Based on the Shakespeare play.
Lady and the Tramp (1955)
The fact that they made two CGI Garfield movies before they made a new version of this dogs-in-love classic seems criminal. Then again, the fact that Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure even exists is also criminal.
Wizards (1977)
On a post-apocalyptic Earth 3 million years in the future (yes, million), wizards, robots and mutants all co-exist as twin, fairy-spawned brothers duel for dominance in the war between magic and technology. Technology gets the upper hand when an old projector turns the mutants into Nazis... Yeah, maybe this one's not such a good idea.
The original Secret of NIMH in its entirety:
What animated movie would you like to see re-done with a mix of live-action and CGI?
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NO. Lady and the Tramp should NEVER be remade. The original is PERFECT. Beyond perfect. It's incredible, sublime, genuine. Absolutely, positively, in NO WAY should anyone EVER try to remake it.
Holy God, could you imagine a butchered Ashlee Simpson version of "He's A Tramp"? I want to cry just thinking about it.
It's not Peter Beagle's fault that the Last Unicorn live action movie didn't get made. It was a money issue. And its THE red bull. a literal bull.
I'm totally with you on the Chronicles of Prydain being made into movies though.
Aww, I love The Rescuers! I dont know if I want to see it remade though.
An American Tail remake hopefully would not revive the song that came from that movie. Oh no, getting stuck in my head as I type! "Somewhere out there..."
Wow, I've seen all these movies. I didn't realize how much animation I've watched in my life until now. You are right. The Black Cauldron was awful and the Chronicles of Prydain could be the next LOTR if done right.
Noooooo! No remakes!
So far, Disney animated classics seem to be immune to the remake disease going around. Let's hope it stays that way.
Me and my sister have matching Last Unicorn tattoos. This movie definately needs to be made. With Christopher Lee. No one else has that voice.
Mouse and His Child
I say no to all of these, especially "The Last Unicorn". Remakes are almost never as good as the original, and "The Last Unicorn" is just so damn depressing, to me at least, that trying to remake it would either inspire mass suicides or destroy the power of it entirely.
Dot and the Kangaroo. Anyone remember that besides me and my sister?
OMG, Dot and the Kangaroo. I watched that over and over as a child, but have never been able to remember the name! (Bit of a "duh" there, right? LOL.) Thanks for the good memories. I truly loved that movie.
The Flight of Dragons. Wonderful movie, and with CGI, could have great appeal to the Harry Potter generation. Besides, I don't think it's even ever been available on DVD, so most people have never seen the original.
the last unicorn time for a remake is overdue as for rock and rule given the bad guy had mick jager ticked who ever did it would need to warn him. as for watership down no way.
NOT Watership Down. That movie creeped me out but good when I was 13 and inspired me to read the book. It's just perfect as it is.
The Last Unicorn MUST be remade. I love the original, in all its weirdness, but another one would be awesome.
God, I remember when The Last Unicorn remake was actually going to happen. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as Smendrick. Sigh.
I don't care. It remains one of my favorite movies, and whenever I mention it to my parents, they kind of groan and say "Not again. Please."
What about "The Brave Little Toaster?"
What about "The Brave Little Toaster?"
I don't know why, but for some reason I thought I was like the only person on the planet who had ever seen The Last Unicorn. It terrified and intrigued me as a child. I would hate for them to remake it though.
I don't know how I feel about The Last Unicorn being remade...I have a soft spot in my heart for that animation. As far as Flight of the Dragons...the only way that would be acceptable is if James Earl Jones was still involved, there is already gonna be a voice missing with John Ritter gone. That's another one of my favorites...I even have the original book the movie was based on...I don't think I wnat it remade
the flight of dragons! thanks for mentioning, donna. this definitely needs to be remade. great movie, though the animation was terrible. this definitely belongs on this list!
The only way that a Flight of the Dragons remake would work is if James Earl Jones was still involved...it would already be down John Ritter & I don't know how I would about it being live action. I like the 80's animation. Same thing for The Last Unicorn...these are my childhood & it is doubtfull that they can do any of them justice
My thoughts in order of the listings:
1. No
2. Yes (And get a Female lead who can actually sing)
3. No
4. Never Heard of it, sorry.
5. No
6. Not unless you can find a way to resurect Eva Gabor from the Dead...maybe Huffington could do it? (Meanwhile Bob Newhart is going to be eternal, accept it!)
7. Never Heard of it
8. FUCK NO (Disney's head would be thawing in his cooler in agony, while his creamated remains would create a mini-dust storm)!
and 9. Never Heard of it
I say ABSOLUTELY NOT for Watership Down. That movie gave me nightmares for weeks when I was a kid. Cute little bunnies getting horrifically killed is not good fare for a kids movie, no matter how you slice it.
I wouldn't mind seeing an updated version of some of the live-action movies starring creatures from Jim Henson's workshop, like Labyrinth or The Dark Crystal.
THE. PHANTOM. TOLLBOOTH. I have been dying for a remake of this for years. The Chuck Jones version is delightful, what with all the songs, but think of how Chroma's symphony would look with great CGI effects.
How about a remake of The White Seal. This film horrified and amazed me as a child.
Is anybody here familiar with The Plague of Dogs? That has got to be hands-down THE MOST DEPRESSING MOVIE EVER. I vaguely remember watching it when I was young (mom and dad, what were you thinking making me watch that?!).
Just thought I'd throw this in there...
The Last Unicorn.
Starring Adam Lambert.
Perfection.
Please God, yes. Let somebody remake the Black Cauldron properly. I loved the books as a kid and the Disneyfication damn near killed me.
But leave Watership Down alone! The idea of seeing Hazel, Fiver and Bigwig turned into creepy CGI effects just makes me cringe.
Wendy beat me to the punch! I was going to say Phantom Tollbooth too!
Nooo - stop giving executives horrible ideas, and let the poor unicorns and mice be. Enough with the remakes.
Of them all, I can only see Black Cauldron as viable remake material. Personally, I don't see why CGI automatically invalidates every animated feature that's gone before. It's not like CGI and special effects improved Rollerball or a live action How the Grinch Stole Christmas blew the doors off of the animated version.
Puff the Magic Dragon.
Looooved it.
NO... not watership down. CGI is ugly and not really as nice to look at, and Watership down is perfect already
Oh, a movie adaptation of the Prydain Chronicles would rock my world. I think you could combine some of the stories to fit the narratives into a trilogy of movies...Taran Wanderer in particular would be a tough sell as a movie on its own. I thought for sure someone would pick up on the whole "next LOTR" aspect of those novels after LOTR was done so well...guess it's just a more obscure series.
How about "The Princess and the Goblin"?
side note: now I have the Peter, Paul, and Mary song stuck in my head...thanks
Hell to the a million times no to The Last Unicorn! It's one of those movies that stands on the knife's edge of scaring the beejesus out of a kid, while simultaneously making them love it. And (sadly) I love the soundtrack...
The Brave Little Toaster is one of the best movies of all time. Have you seen the abominable sequels? Unfortunately, I have. Leave a classic alone.
yes to The Flight of Dragons! I must have watched that one 20 times as a kid. That would make an excellent remake.
No, No, No, No, No! Not the Last Unicorn! Never Dot & the Kangaroo! I was about to say not The Flight of Dragon also, but on second thought, some seriously great casting could make that a winner.
My step-daughter likes pretty much every movie she's ever seen. Except the Last Unicorn, which I gave her. This depresses me greatly, as it's just a great movie. I think it's the fact that certain characters understand they're in a fairy tale, and lets that fact dictate their actions, is what pushes it beyond your standard fare (it's even clearer in the book).
America's "The Last Unicorn" is also one of the greatest songs ever written.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go get my man card revoked for all of the above statements.
Anne--the movie you remember is called the Plague Dogs. I loved it and read the book many years later (which actually has a happy ending, unlike the movie).
Please no remakes of the Last Unicorn or Rock N Rule! I love 'em both...and RNR has such awesome music. None of today's bands could fill the shoes of Debbie Harry, Cheap Trick, Iggy Pop!
Suzanne and Jenna--I bought Dot and the Kangaroo on DVD for $1 at Wal-Mart last year! The Bunyip scared the poo outta me as a kid.
Those movies suggested were great, those movies dont need to be updated( I think one i didnt know). Maybe The sword in the stone that might be a good remake. I'd watch that over and look forward to it if it looks good.
Thanks for posting this. Would be intrested to read more or possibly please contact me by email thank you!
Thanks for posting this. Would be intrested to read more or possibly please contact me by email thank you!