I Know You Its That Bad Kitty
Hollywood seems determined to turn a profit from remakes and sequels that moving picture makers accept no concern writing, producing or releasing. Rather than working hard to generate new films — ones with novel plot devices, leads and stories from underrepresented communities and compelling cinematic visions, for example — the bigwigs of the American pic industry are on a mission to quickly ruin any remnant of millennial childhood nostalgia.
So, it is with a heavy heart — and in recognition that January 10, 2021, marks five years since the passing of the absolutely legendary and incomparable David Bowie — that I am forced to accost the announcement of a Labyrinth sequel. Now, does the original moving picture crave, necessitate or even hint at a sequel? Is the lead actor from the original movie prepared to make an appearance? Is the original director however available? The answer to these questions is a single, resounding "NO." And yet, here we are. Sigh.
Permit me to take a brief moment to discuss why a Labyrinth sequel is an awful, terrible, no-good idea.
A Bowie-Less Labyrinth Sequel Will Be a Travesty
The upcoming Labyrinth sequel faces some tough challenges. For starters, it's going to exist missing its eternal, androgynous Jareth the Goblin Rex — a.1000.a. the incomparable David Bowie. In 2016, the iconic genre- and gender-bending rock star lost a long boxing with liver cancer. His failing health was a well-kept clandestine, and fans and admirers from all over the world mourned his untimely passing.
If you believe that Bowie's absence from a Labyrinth sequel is more a casting challenge than a reason to cancel the entire project, I'd recommend that you go back and sentry the original 1986 moving-picture show. Bowie'due south presence extends beyond his insanely flustered hairdo, gigantic codpiece and cool charismatic demeanor — the man besides wrote and performed more than one-half of the movie'due south soundtrack.
Seeing Bowie perform as Jareth is much like watching him every bit Ziggy Stardust. It tin exist challenging to split up the truth from the fiction of these performances, as Bowie becomes so engrossed in his characterization that he only ceases to exist himself. Even as an adult, it'due south hard to lookout Jareth the Goblin King prance, dance and sing without occasionally stopping to retrieve, "Wow. That really is David Bowie. And, yeah, I will 'Dance the Magic Trip the light fantastic toe' down my hallway."
I'm pitiful, but it'south impossible for a casting manager to find a multitalented actor/musician to fill Bowie'south shoes in an upcoming sequel. It's also a challenge to imagine whatsoever viable reason why the original — seemingly immortal — Goblin Rex would have suddenly changed form. This type of confusion just deepens when because what might become of the Labyrinth's creatures.
Jim Henson, the mastermind behind the Muppets, directed the original Labyrinth film. His masterful puppetry showed a depth of skill unmatched by rival puppeteers, and in a time without impressive CGI graphics, he was 1 of the go-to guys for practical special furnishings. Sadly, Henson passed away in 1990. Since that time, in that location have been no less than v theatrical releases with his charming Muppet characters — and they've all been awful.
Some might accept those movies as a sign that Henson'due south absence is no big deal when attempting to make a sequel. They would exist incredibly wrong. A Labyrinth sequel without Bowie AND Jim Henson would be like a Mrs. Doubtfire sequel without Robin Williams. (Don't y'all dare, 20th Century Fox!) Just end thinking about information technology and appreciate this magic for what it is!
Making a sequel to the Labyrinth picture show without using Henson's puppets would be like George Lucas abandoning practical puppetry from his Star Wars franchise in favor of poorly-generated computer graphics. Oh…that's already happened, and the response has been less-than-stellar. Fans who have grown upward watching a specific film are bound to feel slighted, misunderstood or just plain cheated when that pic ends upwards lost in technological translation.
Non convinced that fans don't want a CGI-heavy Labyrinth remake? Have a expect at how The King of beasts King fanbase (and critics) reacted to the CGI "live-action"' Disney remake. Here'due south a spoiler: They didn't similar it.
A Project Fueled by Profits, Not Passions
All of this begs the question, "Why are these executives green-lighting so many '80s remakes and sequels right now?" Unfortunately, the answer lies in nostalgia-based profit. Academics have long studied consumer beliefs, and it seems that contempo studies have non fallen on deaf ears.
In 2014, the Journal of Consumer Enquiry published findings on the connection between nostalgia and money-spending habits. They discovered that people are more willing to spend money when they're feeling sentimental or cornball. Advertising executives and motion picture producers take taken this tidbit of information and run with it.
That'southward why our current motion picture industry is flooded with remakes and unasked-for sequels, particularly to icons from the 1980s and 1990s. Children from that era are at present full-fledged adults with existential dread about the future every bit climate change, pandemics and political chaos get out generations clamoring for familiar, comforting nostalgia.
Merely rather than re-releasing original footage on updated media (think Blu-ray and 4K downloads), the film industry would rather take existing intellectual belongings and rebrand it for the younger generation. In most cases, the result is an alienated original audience and a disinterested youth. This is all done in the proper noun of and for the sake of profit.
So Please, Leave This Gem of a Picture Lone
A movie shouldn't exist pre-judged as skilful or bad, of class, just should instead be judged by its merit, reception and lasting impact. Nonetheless, even the nigh advanced hologram technology could not revive Bowie's onscreen presence (NOR SHOULD It). And no amount of CGI could replace the authenticity and wonder of Henson'due south creations.
The only thing that could remain consistent betwixt the original Labyrinth film and its proposed sequel is its main screenwriter, Terry Jones (of Monty Python fame and glory). But as of this moment, there's no word from the crumbling Brit every bit to his possible involvement in writing a sequel.
As a result, in that location's petty hope that a Labyrinth two would be anything more than than a shameless, soulless cash grab aimed at adults who long for the simpler, stranger earth that lay before them during the '80s. Any projection based on profit, not passion, is doomed to fail, and that'due south why I'thou non looking forward to the mess of a sequel that undoubtedly lies ahead.
Source: https://www.ask.com/entertainment/labyrinth-sequel-bad-idea?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740004%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex
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