Kathryn Bigelow’s Point Break is one of the most exciting action films of all time, and is home to one of the late Patrick Swayze’s most memorable performances. It also holds up extremely well today, and will likely thrill audiences for many years to come. That means it should be immune from the horrors of a Hollywood remake right? Wrong. Now, not only is the remake happening, but Ericson Core has been announced as director, meaning things are actually in motion.
I’m aware this is probably just about the worst news you could hear this morning, and I’m truly sorry to have to bring it to you. Core, who is most notably a cinematographer, made his directorial debut with the utterly mediocre football film, Invincible. Nevertheless, production is supposed to get underway on this remake by the end of the year.
I’ve always loved the original film so much partially because it’s the only movie that can make me want to pack up everything and move to California for years of surfing and parachute-less skydiving, but don’t worry, all that’s probably going to be gone as well. Now, instead of following the original story directly, they’re moving the criminals into the world of international extreme sports. They’re still keeping an FBI agent infiltrating a criminal ring, but losing the surfing focus is going to destroy this film.
Here’s an idea, if you like the story so much, then just rip it off. Write another film, that’s incredibly similar, but not touted as a Point Break remake. It isn’t as if at its core Point Break is some revolutionary ground-breaking story or anything. It’s simply a young cop getting too close to the people he’s undercover with. Take that story and apply it somewhere else. Don’t tarnish the good name of the film we all love.
I was angry when I heard talks of a Gremlins remake, and fuming about one for Jumanji, but this is on a whole new level. Is nothing sacred anymore?
What do you think of Ericson Core directing this Point Break remake? Are you as angry as I am that the film is happening at all? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.