Is The Pet Sematary Remake A Worthwhile Endeavor?

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A few days ago, King Hazard posted about Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer’s remake of Mary Lambert’s 1989 film Pet Sematary, and it reminded me that something should be said about this particular movie getting remade.

In the summer of 2017, I read the Stephen King classic for the first time, and it was amazing. The story was great, the scenes were vividly written, the characters were compelling, and the dialog flowed. Having read more recent works from King, as opposed to the older classics, I was pleasantly surprised at how well his characters were written. I was also taken aback by how much the original film adaptation stuck to the book, or at least how vividly the scenes and characters came to mind as I read so many years after having seeing the movie.

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Upon completing the book, I had to rewatch the movie — and it was terrible! It really hasn’t held up through the years, the acting is terrible, and it only hits the major points of the book, skipping over all the details that glue the story together. The movie’s saving grace was Fred Gwynne’s Jud Crandall, and his distinct Maine accent.

Rather unnaturally, after watching this crumbling movie relic, it occured to me that if there was ever a movie deserving of a remake, this one was it. Of course I’d heard that Pet Sematary was going to be remade, but it made absolute sense that this project had gotten the green light, while so many other remakes should never even be a thought.

For the Pet Sematary remake, they’ve cast John Lithgow as Jud Crandall. Lithgow is as good a choice as any, however, after watching the trailer, the Maine accent and the creepy demeanor that Gwynne brought to the character seem to be lost. Let’s hope that’s the only thing missing in this remake.

Other than Lithgow’s interpretation, the rest of the trailer seems to show a good movie. It’s also interesting to note, that as far as the trailer shows, scenes are included that show the kids from the past and their ritual as they head out toward the Pet Semetary.

So, what do you think: Is this Pet Semetary remake necessary? Will you go watch it?

Rock Hard \m/

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