U.S. Remakes of Foreign Blockbusters

Some remakes arrive under a cloud because the original has already become a modern classic, and Oldboy was very much that kind of challenge. Park Chan-wook’s South Korean film had style, shock, tragedy, and one of the most famous corridor fights of the century. It was not just admired. It was revered. Then the U.S. version appeared with Spike Lee directing, Josh Brolin taking the central role, and Elizabeth Olsen and Sharlto Copley joining the cast. The story remained dark and punishing, but the response was much cooler.