Generally speaking, remakes in the horror genre are met with rolling eyes and without the heaviest of enthusiasm. Whether it’s a cult classic such as THE HILLS HAVE EYES or a massive hit such as HALLOWEEN – horror fans alike are less than thrilled when the latest remake is to be unleashed on audiences.
I’ll say for the most part, I don’t dislike remakes, in fact – I for the most part like a lot of them. Some of course better than others, there are shit ones; let’s be real, but there are shit original horror films too. Remakes are met with animosity mostly right out of the gate as fans seem to have this impression it somehow soils the original film’s integrity or its legacy to have another film carrying its title. Films such as FRIDAY THE 13TH, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and A NIGHTMARE ON ELM ST have left a massive imprint on the horror genre and as well as pop culture. While the original films are classics in their own right, many can’t argue the subsequent sequels in these franchises as well as the HALLOWEEN franchise really did much to help the “integrity” of the original film. So why is it when a remake met with such outrage?
To be honest, I have no idea.
Back in 2006, it was no surprise to me at the height of the remake craze we were starting to dig a little deeper for cult classic horror films that had dedicated audiences, but would also be ripe for a new crowd to sink their teeth into. The minor hit BLACK CHRISTMAS was up to the plate, and the tale of sorority sisters being terrorized by an unknown psychopath was ready to roll.
The original film was originally released in the US and mostly fell on deaf ears. It was through various late night showings and VHS rentals that the film found its audience which sang its praises to anyone who cared to listen. Laden with suspense and tension, it was no mystery why the film appealed to those that found it – it’s a classic horror film that to this day, still manages to terrify by creating a foreboding atmosphere riddled with disturbing content.
When the remake was released, it grossed $16 million in the US alone nearly doubling its budget, it was financially a hit. However, with the fans and critics – it was a sore disappointment which dumbed down the original film in many aspects including revealing who the ever elusive Billy was, along with Agnes and a backstory to the infamous vulgar phone calls.
Fans were not happy that the mystery that shrouded the original film was substituted for a basic slasher film littered with characters making dumb decisions and a vicious crime that provided a basis for the killer. As a comparative piece to the original, it fails in almost every aspect – it does nothing to enhance on what the original did but rather beats the viewer over the head with its nonsensical plot which isn’t brilliant to begin with.
Although, through the years since its release, it much like the original film has begun to grow a cult following. Fans of the film, while openly admit it is nowhere near as good as the original 1974 film, praise it for its gore, kills, characters and over the top sensibility. As a standalone film, they feel it does better than most at creating the intended feel and atmosphere for a film of this ilk. To be honest, I can’t disagree with them.
Is this film perfect? Not by any means. It does have some lazy writing and overdoes it on the backstory for the killer duo in the film. It also has some…odd casting choices for one of the killers which will leave any viewer scratching their head with bewilderment. The characters are overly stupid in that they are more than willing to split up and never provide themselves with enough protection to halt a three year old – let alone a vicious killer.
But really, what does this film do differently than most slasher films from the “Golden Era” – the 80’s – that are hailed as classics? Well, nothing really. All of the things that it is largely criticized for are things that are prominent in such favorites as MY BLOODY VALENTINE, the FRIDAY THE 13TH franchise and even such reputable franchises such as HALLOWEEN. Heck, even the original HALLOWEEN has characters making less than brilliant decisions that lead to their demise – so what’s the beef here?
Well, it’s a remake, and as previously mentioned – remakes are not met with glowing eyes and when they’re not up to par or are lesser than the original film they’re based off of; the sheer hate seems to be amplified. Which is rightfully so, if you’re going to remake a film – it should at the very least be on the same level with the original film if not better; so when one manages to be, well, less than fantastic – it doesn’t fair very well.
However I, and as many other fans believe, if this film did not carry the title BLACK CHRISTMAS – it would have been received better by fans at the very least. It has everything a slasher fan is looking for and even manages to throw in some creative aspects of its own. The way the film is shot for one thing is just fantastic, the brightly lit Christmas lights against dark backdrops provides atmosphere that really sets the tone for an unmistakable Christmas horror film. The kills are gory and violent which utilize mostly practical effects which in itself is a triumph considering CGI would have most likely been utilized in someone else’s hands. It’s also worth mentioning the more than competent cast which does what they can with the material provided which is admittedly not great, but again, no worse than what’s been offered in “classic” genre films.
As a fan of this film myself, I’m glad to see it finding an audience much like the original film has. Would I make changes if I could? Absolutely. First of all, the inclusion of two killers is silly and it’s also grossly unnecessary. The overdone backstory could use some trimming and a little more mystery would have gone a long way. I also have never been a huge fan of the look of the jaundice Billy who ends up looking like a life like version of a character right out of “The Simpsons” than a terrifying killer – I mean really, I get not going with the mongoloid approach as it’s already taken, but anything would have worked better than yellow skinned guy.
With that being said, there is a lot in this film that does work and it has become a common staple in my Christmas horror rotation. The soundtrack of familiar Christmas carols matched with the festive holiday decorations and the snowy backdrop provide more than enough holiday fear to satisfy genre enthusiasts looking for a cheap thrill. Is it a great film? No, not by any means. Is it as terrible as some would like us to believe? As a remake, oh hell yes, however, as a standalone Christmas slasher – it works. It does everything it’s supposed to and provides more charm and surprisingly emotion than other genre offerings have in the past and continue to. If this is one you’ve been on the fence on given its history, maybe it’s time to give it a go. You might find yourself pleasantly surprised, enjoying the mindless entertainment matched with the gory kills, strong cast and heavy atmosphere.
