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Remakes, Reboots, Revivals and Why We Love Them

Nathan Parsons and Jeanine Mason star in the reboot: "Roswell, New Mexico"
Nathan Parsons and Jeanine Mason star in the reboot: “Roswell, New Mexico.”

Early 2018 brings us new episodes of some of our favorite television shows as well as a few eagerly anticipated mid-season replacements. Among them is one show that I have been waiting way too long for, Roswell, New Mexico, from former Zap2It writer turned promising show-runner, Carina Mackenzie. The show is a reimagining of the same book series (Roswell High by Melinda Metz) which was previously adapted for television back in 1999. Roswell ran on the WB and later on UPN. This new iteration will be on the CW, and it premieres tomorrow, January 15th.

If Roswell just isn’t your thing, another reboot that has fans quaking with anticipation is Jordan Peele’s new The Twilight Zone, which is expected to premiere some time this year on CBS All Access. From Will & Grace to Wonder Woman and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, retro clearly is king. Below you’ll find a few of more of our favorites.

Twin Peaks
Type: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Crime, Thriller
Release Date: 1990-2017
Starring: Madchen Amick, Kyle MacLachlan, Dana Ashbrook

This legendary show returned in 2017 for what was said to be a limited engagement. In the revival, special agent Dale Cooper returned to Twin Peaks 25 years after his investigation into the death of Laura Palmer. Despite the fact that series creator David Lynch has not yet revealed whether or not there will be another season, fans still hold out hope.

Charmed
Type: Drama, Fantasy
Release Date: 2018
Starring: Madeleine Mantock, Kyle MacLachlan, Dana Ashbrook

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ycEPoT1Nzw

I will admit that I was skeptical when I heard they were remaking the iconic 1998 series Charmed, but I kept my mind open and I was pleasantly surprised with the results. The new series is very much a child of the original, but with completely new characters and a new town. The story begins with a trio of witches (who happen to be sisters) who only discover their power after their mother dies.

Mad Max: Fury Road
Type:  Action & Adventure, Mystery, Science-Fiction, Thriller
Release Date: 2015
Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult

Here’s a lesson in taking something that’s pretty alright and turning it into something that is absolutely jaw-dropping. No one could have ever predicted just how good this 2015 revisit of Mad Max (1979, originally starring Mel Gibson) would be.

Battlestar Galactica
Type: Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Science-Fiction, Drama
Release Date: 2004
Starring: Tricia Helfer, Katee Sackhoff, Grace Park

Speaking of turning a cult classic on its head: Battlestar Galactica shocked fans back in 2003 when it premiered on TV’s SyFy (then Sci-Fi). The series reimagined some of its leading men into leading ladies, and upgraded the show’s villain, robots known as the Cylons, to a very convincing humanoid model. While this series had a shaky start, with die-hard fans questioning the changes, it ultimately became one of the pioneers in the new age of television.

A Star is Born
Type: Musical, Drama, Romance
Release Date: 2018
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam Elliott

One of the biggest movie releases last year, A Star is Born, is the fourth iteration of this particular story. With new (but very familiar) characters following a similar plot, the latest remake had audiences singing the praises of writer/director/star Bradley Cooper, and the film’s leading lady: Lady Gaga.

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
Type: Drama, Comedy
Release Date: 2016
Starring: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Kelly Bishop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGGNNSmGDpU

One might argue that the popularity of streaming media is the sole reason for many of television’s revivals. When Netflix brought Gilmore Girls to its platform, they brought in a new generation of viewers which allowed the company to confidently invest in a 2016 revival of the show — and the results are 100% Gilmore. (Whether there will be more seasons to come, remains yet to be seen.)

Spider-Man: Homecoming
Type: Action & Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Science-Fiction, Drama
Release Date: 2017
Starring: Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Marisa Tomei

While there are a-million-and-one superhero reboots I could talk about here, Spider-Man: Homecoming (being the third iteration of the Peter Parker story in just 15 years) begged to be included. A lot of reboots find themselves treading darker territory, but this Tom-Holland-lead film brought a sense of whimsy and lightness to the character that finally makes the story feel exactly right.

Sherlock
Type: Action & Adventure, Mystery, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Release Date: 2010
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Rupert Graves

Last but not least, the story of Sherlock Holmes is one that has been told many times over the years. Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal of the high-functioning sociopathic detective has come to be known as positively quintessential.

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