- comparison corner -
funny games vs funny games
THE FRAME BY FRAME REMAKE
- Remakes vs original -
I'm sorry, but when a director remakes his own movie for its ten year anniversary and does so shot by shot with no alterations to the screenplay whatsoever, it can only be seen as one thing... Self-indulgence.
FUNNY GAMES (remake)
Released: March 2008
Run time: 1 hour 51 minutes
Written and Directed by: Michael Haneke
Distributed by: Warner Independent Pictures
FUNNY GAMES (Austrian)
Released: March 1998
Run time: 1 hour 48 minutes
Written and Directed by: Michael Haneke
Distributed by: Madman Entertainment
DETAILS
(Don't worry there are ***NO SPOILERS*** in here, because I'm great like that!!)
The basic plot is a simple one that we can all recognise in part or full. Two young men play a psychotic game where they hold a holidaying family hostage at their lake house and torture them with mentally sadistic games.
It is a very unconventional interpretation, which I believe is the movies saving grace as this factor (and quite possibly this alone) makes it memorable.
The film frequently blurs the line between fiction and reality, as only character (and only one character), Paul, often addresses the camera with questions, winks and smirks. He also states his intention are to follow the standards of movie plot development and for basic structure such as dramatics and feature length times to show awareness of audience expectations. A very bizarre, yet intriguing addition to the film.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Michael Haneke didn't think that 'ignorant Americans' (his words, not mine) had realised the original FUNNY GAMES purposely mocked American cinemas love of violence. (Erm... Could this be something to do with it being a foreign film that never hit global cinemas?!?! Doh!)
COMPARISON
The only differences are the cast and location. Even appliances and fashion have not been modernised.
Haneke has chosen a stronger, high profile cast for his remake, which is evidently little more than a marketing ploy. And although the locations are different, the production crew used the same blueprints from the original so all sets were identical.
The only differences is that the original is shot in a more stark and brooding way and of course the languages differ.
RECEPTION
The Austrian version received generally positive reviews, but achieved only a small gross revenue due to its contained audience and home movie release.
However, the american FUNNY GAMES was met with mediocre reviews, its only evident strengths came from its larger budget and wider market. Haneke's directional skills were attacked as his smug remake showed no progressive skills, which were expected after ten years of further experience.
THE FUTURE
Haneke has gone on to direct several more film projects, all of which he too wrote the screenplay for. This coupling of skills often spotlights a multi talented strength, but for Haneke, who also works as a professor for directing at Vienna Film Academy, it comes across as mere arrogance.
THE TWISTED SCOREBOARD
DIRECTION
Again *the original*
ACTING
Due to its stronger cast I will say *the remake*
TECHNICAL ASPECTS
Sigh... *the original*
OVERALL TWISTED WINNER
*the original*
FUNNY GAMES
SCREENPLAY
Although both identical I am going with *the original* as it was first
MY PREFERRED VERSION
Erm... Clearly *the original*
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