The Wicker Man (remake) review

Long time, no blog. It's been almost a year since I last posted a review on here, but I have recently started thinking about writing some reviews and articles again. I still don't write for a publication but i'd like to keep writing these for my own entertainment. So to get me back in the swing of things I thought i'd post another one of my older reviews for the Derby Trader. . 

My review of Neil LaBute's remake of The Wicker Man from September 2006

I have a confession to make. I hadn’t seen Robin Hardy’s The Wicker Man before seeing Neil LaBute’s remake. It has sat in my DVD collection for some time waiting for the day that I would brush the dust off and watch it, and I must say that I’m glad I waited to watch the British classic till I’d seen Neil LaBute’s Wicker Man. Whereas the original is deservedly a classic, this year’s remake is mediocre at best for those who haven’t seen the original and a complete travesty for those who have. 

The film follows Californian Policeman Edward Maylis (Nicolas Cage) as he investigates the disappearance of a little girl, Rowan Woodward on the mysterious island of Summerisle. As the locals deny the girls existence, Edward is drawn further into the local’s world of strange rituals. Whilst the filmmakers have kept the story the same in general, a number of significant details have changed for the remake, and not for the better.

Whilst members of the audience will suffer more if they have seen the original, there is by no means any respite for those new to the story as the character development, when it exists, is totally misguided. Similarly, the script and delivery of the dialogue is cringeworthy and as it is near impossible not to know the film’s iconic finale, the surprise of the ending is already ruined.

Most worryingly, the filmmakers seem to be under the impression that their respect for the original can be demonstrated by a few sly in-jokes, however, these only serve to reminder the viewer how much they wish they were at home watching the 1973 version.

We can but hope that Neil LaBute’s remake will be forgotten in time, and the original left untainted. Which just leaves one question, when will Hollywood have some original ideas again?