There has been a seemingly endless stream of American and European remakes of classic Asian movies for decades now. Some of them are faithful recreations. Others take the original concept and run with it in a wild, new direction. Others share a name or themes in common but suffer dramatically when it comes to quality. Here are seven of the best Western remakes of Asian films so far.
1. The Ring (2002)
Let’s start with a stone cold classic, which is a phrase that holds true of both the J-horror original and the American remake. In fact, the mainstream American movie with Naomi Watts is not the only remake of this film. There is a Korean remake and an additional American remake. The one from 2002 is one of the films responsible for starting the wave of J-horror remakes for western audiences, though.
2. Bangkok Dangerous (2008)
The American remake starring Nicolas Cage gets a bad rep, but there is a gritty, world-weary undertone to it that is true to the spirit of the original. The core relationships at the center of the film- the mentor and romantic relationships- are very strong and compelling and help make this film feel like more than just a generic action remake.
3. Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)
This remake could have been a simple cash grab designed to pull at the heartstrings of animal lovers, but it goes for a solid emotional story that has rewarding layers to it, including a father/son relationship that’s touching and unexpected. Richard Gere turns in a heartfelt performance, and the direction is elegant without being emotionally overdone and saccharine, which is rare for a movie that explores the pet and owner relationship.
4. Godzilla (1998)
This is only a remake in the sense that it is an origin story for Godzilla and his exploits, but of course the action moves from the original’s Tokyo location to the skyscrapers of New York City. The change in location allows for some interesting twists, like Godzilla hiding out in the subway tunnels and creating a nest there. The special effects are still impressive more than two decades later, partly due to the practical effects used in a lot of scenes. While the movie gets a bad reputation for having shallow characters and a popcorn movie feel, it definitely has its fans. The same way Mole Rat Catcher 3D might not be Grand Theft Auto, there is an inherent charm to the proceedings anyway that will appeal to the right kind of audience.
5. The Departed (2006)
The remake of Infernal Affairs was in good hands with director Martin Scorsese. He creates a web of lies, intrigue and complex motivations that keep audiences wondering who will survive. There are a number of strong performances in the film that make for compelling cinema, and cinephiles will find a lot to uncover within the movie’s hidden themes and meanings.
6. The Magnificent Seven (1960)
There have been plenty of remakes and reimagining of the Akira Kurosawa film Seven Samurai. The 1960 Western is probably the most well known and well regarded, though. It changes the setting dramatically but keeps the core ideas intact. What holds true of both films is the sense of realism and the violence, and its impact are not shied away from. It’s not a study in exploitation but rather the realities of war and how it affects people who hold onto a sense of dignity and honor as their moral code.
7. A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
Sergio Leone created his own western interpretation of a Japanese samurai film that has become a classic in its own right. Many of the biggest fans of A Fistful of Dollars don’t even know that it is a spiritual remake of Yojimbo. The themes of the wandering loner, violent rivals and corruption are all shared between these two films. What could have been a cheap adaption of the story is reverential and masterfully done, elevating the Spaghetti Western into a form that many filmmakers tried to copy for years afterwards. Many of the same beats are brought over into the Western with a full understanding of how they fit into the bigger picture.
