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| Inglourious Basterds | 8.5/10 |
| Star Trek | 9/10 |
| Monsters vs Aliens | 5/10 |
| Sin Nombre | 8.5/10 |
| Duplicity | 7.5/10 |
80's Movies: Remakes, Sequels and Forgotten Films
April 7, 2008
by Ken Evans
Lately I have been obsessed with two things: 80's movies and anime. I won't be talking about anime now, but hopefully when we hear more about the Ninja Assassin film being made, it will give me a chance to go into the exciting world of anime. For now I want to talk about the films from the 1980's and how extremely rad most of them are.
Until recently if someone had asked me my opinion of the 80's it wouldn't have been a positive response. I would even go as far as to say that until a few weeks ago, I hated everything about that decade. I guess I hadn't given it that much thought and was basing my opinion solely on the music and clothing styles. I will never forgive my mom for making me wear bright neon yellow shirts and shorts with knee socks rolled down to my Velcro shoes. It turns out that the 80's actually produced the best cartoons and toys ever! But what originally sparked my interest in reevaluating the 80's was a conversation I had in Austin during SXSW and the realization that most of my favorite films and series found their beginning in the 80's.
One night in Austin I found myself engrossed in a conversation about 80's horror films. Movies like The Stuff, Cat's Eye, The Evil Dead, Maximum Overdrive, Child's Play, and House came rushing back to my memory and made me smile. It made me think about some of the films that are either coming out soon or that were released over the last few years. Movies or series that got their start in the 80's and have been revived like Rambo, Indiana Jones, The Lost Boys, Short Circuit, Terminator, RoboCop, Wargames and Die Hard. All of these have either just had another film made to continue their legacy or they have one in the works. I couldn't be more excited.
So I got to thinking that if they can make a sequel to The Lost Boys, they could probably come up with a sequel to just about anything. Plus with the trend being 80's sequels and remakes I thought I might want to revisit a bunch of my old favorites from the decade that I thought I hated and share with everyone a select few from my list of 80's films I loved. Bare in mind that this isn't going to be a list full of the ones everyone has seen like The Breakfast Club, Back to the Future, or Ghostbusters. Those are great, sure, but I hope you will check out these few that you might not have seen yet. These are not in any order, nor are they my top five favorite 80's movies. Let's begin, shall we?
Rad (1986)
(Watch the Trailer)
"It's going to take a lot more than skill for Cru Jones to conquer the toughest BMX challenge in the world. It's going to take a miracle."
Cru is an expert BMX rider mama's boy desperately wanting to make a name for himself in the racing world. Turns out the biggest BMX race ever is coming to his town, which if he wins, will finally get him the recognition he wants and $100,000. Unfortunately the race is on the same day he is supposed to take his SAT's. Cru must decide to go against his mother's wishes or fulfill his dream.
This movie screams 80's louder then just about anything I have ever seen. It is the ultimate cheese and although was considered serious at the time it was made, it's now the perfect exaggeration of all those things we make fun of from the 80's. As funny as it is, I'll admit I watched it over and over with my friends in high school and desired deeply to learn how to BMX as masterfully as Cru.
There are so many reasons to see this movie, it's difficult to know where to start. First of all, the movie's title is Rad, which should grab your attention right away. It stars a guy named Cru, whose idea of fun is to make a motorcycle cop chase him through a lumber yard all the while doing tricks on his bike. It has the most amazing prom dance scene ever with Cru and his love interest Christian dancing in the middle of the gym with their bikes (watch that scene right here) - possibly one of the most romantic things I have ever seen on film. Radical BMX tricks, an amazing soundtrack, a BMX prom dance, and the final scene where Cru races through Helltrack, all make this an 80's movie not to be missed. [Buy it on DVD!]
Critters (1986)
(Watch the Trailer)
"They eat so fast, you don't have time to scream."
Furry little alien critters land in a small town and start eating everything in site. They are followed by two intergalactic bounty hunters who will not stop until they have killed them all. Unfortunately the aliens land close to the Brown's farm house and decide to make it their home.
Critters is not anything amazing, but it is a ton of fun. It can't get much better then teenage galactic bounty hunters and furry ball shaped killing aliens. The best way to describe Critters would be by taking the scary elements of Gremlins and mixing it with the comedy of Gremlins 2. They used to play this movie all the time on television during late nights and Saturday afternoons when I was younger. I must have watched it a dozen times thinking the critters were pretty cool in a sick kind of way. The critters run around killing and eating, the whole time making jokes and laughing with every person they tear apart. If they can remake Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, then Critters is definitely a series that they should reboot. When is the last time we had a movie with little killer monsters that crack jokes? It's about time we brought them back! [Buy it on DVD!]
Explorers (1985)
(Watch the Trailer)
"You don't need a driver's license to reach the stars."
Ben Crandall (Ethan Hawke) is obsessed with science fiction and keeps having a dream about traveling over a circuit board. He then draws it and shows it to his brainy friend Wolfgang Muller (River Phoenix), who builds the board which is able to create a force field bubble. The two boys, along with help from their new tough friend Darren, decide to build a spaceship out of old amusement park ride parts that when used with their new found technology gives them the ability to travel into space.
During the 80's, Hollywood had a fascination with science fiction, aliens, and the supernatural. Explorers came out during the time of the greats like Return of the Jedi, E.T., Predator, Ghostbusters, Aliens, Blade Runner, and Gremlins. Out of all those wonderful movies, Explorers is the one that really grabbed me and made me love science fiction. These were kids who were at the time my age and doing everything on their own. They create the most awesome spaceship ever and name it "Thunderroad" (not even kidding), they invent a force field from a dream they had, and they have the guts to not only fly into space, but to also explore an alien spacecraft that they get sucked into.
This isn't E.T., but it also isn't a movie that should be brushed aside. Besides a cheesy meeting the kids have with the aliens to discuss the destructive nature of man, it turns out to be a very enjoyable film that most people would get a kick out of today. And it screams remake! [Buy it on DVD!]
The Last Starfighter (1984)
(Watch the Trailer)
"He didn't find his dreams… his dreams found him."
Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) was only good at one thing, playing the Starfighter arcade game in the trailer park that he lives in. Besides having just beaten the video game, nothing is going right for Alex. After being denied a loan for college, he meets Centauri (Robert Preston), who explains to Alex that he is the best Starfighter player ever and is needed for his skills. Little does he know that he is about to be whisked away to space to fight in a battle to save the galaxy from the invasion of Xur and the Kodan armada.
It just doesn't get much better then this. Imagine your favorite video game turning out to be real and you are chosen to actually use those skills to battle in real life. This is every kid's dream! The concept for this film was spot on and still is enjoyable to watch today. My favorite parts were any scenes that had Grig in them - a turtle like alien that is Alex's teacher/sidekick. Grig was awesome, as I'm sure anyone that has seen this will agree.
Playing off of the success of Star Wars, this film is basically a much simpler version of the great classic. Nothing about the plot is complex, it is just about a kid brought in to save the galaxy from being taken over by an evil force. Lots of action, humor and even a clone make this a great classic 80's film that gets overlooked in the shadow of Empire Strikes Back and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. It's another possible remake that I would love to see. [Buy it on DVD or HD-DVD!]
Bloodsport (1988)
(Watch the Trailer)
"The secret contest where the world's greatest warriors fight in a battle to the death."
Frank Dux (Jean-Claude Van Damme) has gone AWOL to travel to Japan and fight in the illegal underground martial arts contest "Kumite". Dux was trained in ninjutsu by marital arts master Tanaka after the death of his son. Dux, in an attempt to honor his master and avenge the death of Tanaka's son, makes his way to where the "Kumite" is located and secures a spot for himself. All the while, two military men are sent to Japan to stop him from fighting. If that isn't enough, a female reporter uses Dux to gain entrance to the "Kumite" and grab the story of her career.
We can't put together an 80's film list without mentioning a marital arts movie. With other films like The Last Dragon, Best of the Best, and The Karate Kid coming out of the 80's, Bloodsport is definitely my favorite. Not only do we get to watch Van Damme kick the crap out of people, but we get to see him do the splits, break bricks and fight blind. I'm a closet Van Damme fan, obviously not because of his acting skills. When it comes to over-the-top, unrealistic action give me Van Damme in Kickboxer, Timecop, or Hard Target and I'll be happy.
Even with how cheesy Van Damme can be, we actually get some pretty cool fight scenes in Bloodsport. He battles all kinds of different fighters, like a Sumo wrestler and a Muay Thai-styled kickboxer. It's great to see these fights without CGI or wires. These are the fight scenes I miss, scenes that were filmed without any tricks, just plain old martial arts. Throw all that together with an amazing soundtrack and you come out with the best martial arts film of the 80's. I don't know about a remake of this one though, it's just about perfect the way it is. [Buy it on DVD!]
Well, that will do it for some overlooked films from the 80's. I hope this trend of remakes and sequels continues, as I am personally finding it very enjoyable. I do have to give an honorable mention to my favorite comedy from the 80's, Plains, Trains and Automobiles. It's classic in every way, with tons of quotable parts and hilarious situations. They don't make comedies like that anymore.
What are your favorite 80's movies? Which ones do you think they should remake or reboot?
•  |
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Reader Feedback - 49 Comments »
1
i would have to say critters is up there…
same with planes trains and automobiles…
just some of them are so cheesy i dont know…
nzim on Apr 7, 2008
2
Ken Evans, you are my hero. The Last Starfighter and Bloodsport in the same article! You have successfully blown my mind on this Monday morning.
Neil Miller on Apr 7, 2008
3
- I hated everything about that decade.
Damn you're making me want to SHOOT YOU!!!
The best era ever!!!
REAL6 on Apr 7, 2008
4
yea definately the 80's and early 90's came out with some of the greatest movies ever, and the best cartoons ever( ill never understand how kids can watch this spongebob crap and whatever else they play today)
a few of my favorites are police academy, spies like us, E.T., the blues brothers, terminator and a whole lot more
harrison on Apr 7, 2008
5
Monster Squad!!! great movie. I'm not saying I want them to remake it though. A sequel? perhaps. If they could make it as awesome as the first. I'm always hesitant with this sort of stuff. I love The Lost Boys but did everyone watch the new trailer.
Person 1: you know that wine you drank last night….
Person 2: yeah….
Person 1: it wasn't wine… it was… blood….
uhhh. what?
Brian Ricci on Apr 7, 2008
6
WOWOW>>> not nice at all.. you dared to mention RAD… and not a mention of "Gleaming the Cube"
WOOHOO for Christian Slater… hahahaha.. and hell yeah for a 20-yr old Tony Hawk as Buddy
Dusty on Apr 7, 2008
7
Gleaming the Cube
Big Trouble in Little China
Conan the Barbarian (Arnold punching the camel is one of my favorite cinematic moments)
Fright Night
Commando
Love 80's movies. More pure than movies being made now-a-days.
Anonymous on Apr 7, 2008
8
I love that list and #7 added a very important one. Big Trouble in Little China. Priceless.
You know what ole Jack Burton would do in a situation like this?
Who?
Jack Burton…..me.
heckle0 on Apr 7, 2008
9
Oh, this list brought me back. Some good selections that don't get all the '80s nostalgia love.
VsRobot on Apr 7, 2008
10
Its funny that you mentioned Last Starfighter. It isn't getting a remake but there is a rumour that it is getting a sequel…
http://cinemablend.com/new/Son-Of-The-Last-Starfighter-7974.html
John A. on Apr 7, 2008
11
12
That's totally RAD! I was just talking about this movie two days ago.
Reverend on Apr 7, 2008
13
14
I LOVE RAD! Me being a BMX'er myslef that Movie Inspired me to Do BMX and I've actually Ridden with 3 of the people in the Movie I still Continue BMX thanxs to this movie
I remeber I watched this movie So many times on VHS the VHS Quality was DOne and I couldn't even Make out What was Happening
I saw this Movie about a Month ago and Laughed through it After I relized how "80's" it was I stll Love it though
Great Music too Send Me an Angel 
ZERO on Apr 7, 2008
15
FINALLY! Someone else remembers The Explorers.
Brough on Apr 7, 2008
16
Here's a few from the 80s teen girl perspective:
The Breakfast Club
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Sixteen Candles
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Die Hard
Dirty Dancing
Terminator
Star Trek II and IV
Aliens
It seems to me today most films are either comic book movies, remakes, or based off of a book. What happened to the original screenplay?
Movie Lover on Apr 7, 2008
17
1982: The birth of cyberpunk. Blade Runner & Tron. 'Nuff said.
jason_md2020 on Apr 7, 2008
18
Oh God…I almost forgot…anyone remember Buckaroo Banzai?
jason_md2020 on Apr 7, 2008
19
LOL THE LAST DRAGON!!!
Bruce Lee Roy now that movie killed me!
dragon3leg on Apr 7, 2008
20
Dude, you forgot about Road House (1989), which is not only the greatest 80s movie, but THE greatest movie ever made!
As for Bloodsport, it's a total classic - again, as you say, the best martial arts film - but the rumours of a remake have been circulating for years and JCVD is far too old, and interested in pursuing 'serious' roles, for that to happen now. Which is probably for the best as they'd just balls it up.
On a cheeky aside, anyone who is interested can read a piece I wrote on Frank W. Dux, the 'real-life ninja' on which Van Damme's character was based in Bloodsport, at my site above. As well as, er, a review of Road House. ;D
Sheamus on Apr 7, 2008
21
Ok here is a list of some of the best 80s' films.(in no specific order)
Rad
Critters
Last starfighter
Bloodsport
Explorers
Thrashin'
Remo williams and the adventure begins
Repo-man
Gymkata
Bmx BANDITS( Nicole kidman is in this one guys very young)
The last dragon
Monster Squad
Beat street
Tuff Turf
Big Trouble in little china
Tron
American Ninja
Goonies
Close Encounters(this may be late 70s' i think 79)
They Live
Robo cop
Karate Kid
Dune
Revenge of the ninja
Terminator
Breakin'
Krull (not to be confused with Kull the conquerer)
Valley Girl
Better off dead
OK this is a nice healthy list, If you guys havent seen these watch them!!!!!!
And Ken hope you like my pick's.
THERBLIG on Apr 7, 2008
22
warriors come out and play..
malax on Apr 7, 2008
23
forget remakes , forget 80's sequels and forget book adaptations i want something original.
darrin on Apr 7, 2008
24
25
here are a few films not yet mentioned, but worth checking out if you a BIG 80's fan…
The Wraith
Night of the Comet
From Beyond
Adventures in Babysitting
Heathers
Starman
Prince of Darkness
Night of the Creeps
An American Werewolf in London
Lucas
Re-Animator
Blue Velvet
My Best Friend is a Vampire
Scanners
Killer Klowns from Outer Space
The Thing
Dream a little Dream
The 'burbs
Raising Arizona
I could keep going for days on end.
TheGuyInThePJ's on Apr 7, 2008
26
As I said above…
Gotcha!
The Wizard
Night of the Demons
The Sure Thing
The Outsiders
One Crazy Summer
Weird Science
Once Bitten
The Running Man
Deep Red
Creepshow
The Dead Zone
The Changeling
Coming To America
Lady in White
Willow
The Witches of Eastwick
Silver Bullet
Near Dark
Back to School
TheGuyInThePJ's on Apr 7, 2008
27
Ice Pirates, anyone?
En Tea on Apr 8, 2008
28
29
What? No love for the ultimate 80's movie - "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across The 8th Dimension"?
For shame, sir! For SHAME!
William Mize on Apr 8, 2008
30
The boy who could fly.. hahaha yeah i remember seeing that a young fred savage was ridding his big wheel all through the movie.
How bout
SOLAR BABIES
MAD MAX
THE BLACKHOLE(THIS MIGHT BE LIKE 79')
Man combine all the lists and that would be one sweet line up.
THERBLIG on Apr 8, 2008
31
I didn't see "Teen Wolf" on anyone's list. Greatest movie high school werewolf EVER!
I also remember "The Boy Who Could Fly". I'd always fast-forward to the end where Fred Savage gets his sweet revenge.
"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" remains the greatest time travel movie of the 80's–with the possible exceptions of "Back to the Future" and "Time Bandits".
Mark P on Apr 8, 2008
32
Anyone else expect to get completely beat down by their significant other this weekend while renting 50 VHS from the 80's to sit and do absolutely NOTHING as a result of this discussion….
Thanks alot Alex.. I will be sending you my medical bill from her beating me.
Dusty on Apr 8, 2008
33
34
Dusty - Hahaha, I know! You're going to rent them all on VHS?! I don't think I even have a working VHS player around here anymore…
And say hi to Jana for me! If you see her at all this weekend, that is…
35
Wow… not one mention of The Dread Pirate Roberts… Inconceivable! The Princess Bride is a classic from the 80's.
Of course, the Star Wars saga continued with The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. They started the 80's in glorious fashion.
SithTracy on Apr 8, 2008
36
HEY you GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUYS!
1. And not one person said Footloose. "What!? There is no dancing?"
2. Ferris Buellers day off……..two generations from now will still be watching that film.
Scarlet on Apr 9, 2008
37
Just watched The Last Dragon on Cable. Then I found it for sale on DVD at Virgin Records for $10! What a great movie, brought back alot of memories. 
38
Not sure it was the 80's but its about a gut that wishes to be sexy and the person that grants his wish is female. When he first appears in the movie as a hunk he is on the beach and the female genie, or what ever she is, names the body parts that she combined to make him. Example the pelvis of Elvis, arms of whom ever, legs of and so on and so forth. Please someone help!
Steve Smith on Apr 20, 2008
39
Can anyone help me please i can remember a film from the 80's but i forgot the title.
It is about a man who suffers from an accident where he worked his face is protected by a pair of safety goggles and later is made into an android or robot not sure which.
Cant remember if he goes around killing people but an assasin goes after him her favourite weapon of choice is a long hat pin.
Please can anyone help as this movie is going around in my head and it is causing me no end of problems.
As for movies from 80's there are too many to mention here are a few zone troopers, the eliminators, ghoulies, busted up, eye for an eye, mutant 1 & 2, repo man, D.A.R.Y.L, the exterminator, outland, need i say more it was more growing up then and cartoons and kids programs were better damn sight better than the power rangers any day many thanks adios amigos
Jason Phillips on May 6, 2008
40
Thanks for the list guys. It helped a ton. I am making a list of movies to rent over the summer for my kids, things I loved, that they should see too.
Yall forgot a few good ones though:
Meatballs, the first, and the only good one of course. Gotta love Bill.
Real Genius
Neverending Story
zenlunatic on Jun 4, 2008
41
I wrote an unsolicited script for Starman 2 back in 1998. It was my first script and I quit college to finish it. It’s been gathering dust ever since. I sent it to Jeff Bridges and John carpenter, although I would prefer if Carpenter didn’t direct a sequel. I wrote some good f/x sequences and some interesting characters. I’m pretty sure I’ll never be involved, but I’d to see the f/x scene from the beach being incorporated, (Jeff’s manager Neil will know the one, totally plagiarised from another movie, but it would look great on film today). If anyone has any questions, email me at hansenfilm@yahoo.ie and I’ll answer them. (Although I won’t give away any plot points. And yes there is a son and indeed, I actually have the perfect casting suggestion!!
Brad hansen on Jul 3, 2008
42
Not one person said SECRET ADMIRER!!!!!!!!
Dee on Dec 11, 2008
43
Anyone have a list of sequels to any of the beloved 80's movies?? I wish someone would do a 16 candles, teen witch, breakfast club u know what all of them who do we write to about this stuff??
Dee on Dec 11, 2008
44
a peasant girl falls inlove with a prince she seeks advise from three forest witches who mislead her because of this the prince is magically paralyzed dispatching his army throughout the village girl gets caught when she kisses the prince & the spell breaks accused of being a witch she is put into a barrel & exciled returning back to the village she became a servant in the palace the prince finds her & organises a dish washing contest where the girl potraits a princess inorder to enter & win the contest & become the prince's bride but a real princess was declared the winner & will marry the prince the girl discovers that the princess used a diamond ring to cut her plates in the contest during the wedding celebration she revealed the whole truth to the prince so casting aside the princess the prince anounces his marriage to the peasant girl (don't remember the name of the movie only that i saw it on t.v in the 80's)
leniz on Dec 17, 2008
45
a peasant girl falls inlove with a prince she seeks advise from three forest witches who mislead her because of this the prince is magically paralyzed dispatching his army throughout the village girl gets caught when she kisses the prince & the spell breaks accused of being a witch she is put into a barrel & exciled returning back to the village she became a servant in the palace the prince finds her & organises a dish washing contest where the girl potraits a princess inorder to enter & win the contest & become the prince's bride but a real princess was declared the winner & will marry the prince the girl discovers that the princess used a diamond ring to cut her plates in the contest during the wedding celebration she revealed the whole truth to the prince so casting aside the princess the prince anounces his marriage to the peasant girl (don't remember the name of the movie only that i saw it on t.v in the 80's)
leniz on Dec 17, 2008
46
a peasant girl falls inlove with a prince she seeks advise from three forest witches who mislead her because of this the prince is magically paralyzed dispatching his army throughout the village girl gets caught when she kisses the prince & the spell breaks accused of being a witch she is put into a barrel & exciled returning back to the village she became a servant in the palace the prince finds her & organises a dish washing contest where the girl potraits a princess inorder to enter & win the contest & become the prince's bride but a real princess was declared the winner & will marry the prince the girl discovers that the princess used a diamond ring to cut her plates in the contest during the wedding celebration she revealed the whole truth to the prince so casting aside the princess the prince anounces his marriage to the peasant girl (don't remember the name of the movie only that i saw it on t.v in the 80's)
leniz on Dec 17, 2008
47
What about Short Circuit? Why remake it? It was awesome. It was made before I was born, but I still loved it. Adventures in Babysitting is also being redone. With Raven Symone from That's So Raven, or however her last name is spelt. Ghostbusters 3, anyone? Where did the originality go? Is Hollywood determined to slaughter all our childhood memories
alisha on Feb 26, 2009
48
i was wondering if any one could help me located a movie i went to the theater to see around 1982 the movie was called boogins if you know of it please e-mail me
thanks
nancy on Apr 8, 2009
49
The Boogens. TERRIBLE! HAHAHAHAHAHA but Yeah I Remember It
ZERO on Apr 9, 2009