Mike's Musings: Seeing it Again
I've heard of people who refuse to watch a movie a second time. It makes sense, I mean, you know what's going to happen. I'm not one of them. There are a lot of movies that I watch more than once; some I've seen nearly a hundred times. A movie has to be really good to be worth watching again and again.
So what makes a movie worth revisiting? It depends on a few factors. Action movies are the ones that are the most "rewatchable" because extravagant stunts and fight scenes can provoke awe after one or two viewings (at least in my opinion). Consider "True Lies," which has been a family favorite for years. The scene with the Harrier jet is awesome. I mean, it's jaw-dropping. The sequence is so well-executed by James Cameron that it still gets the adrenaline pumping no matter how many times you see it.
Sometimes it's because the story is so much fun. I watch "Brotherhood of the Wolf" once every few months. I know every scene and most of the lines of dialogue. But the story is so good with so many juicy twists that the fact that I've seen it dozens of times is irrelevant. I still find it highly enjoyable. And like "True Lies," it has plenty of spectacular action scenes.
There are some non-action movies that are worth watching again and again. Comedies are less impressive the second time around because shock and surprise are hugely crucial for a successful laugh. Nevertheless, there are some comedies that provoke laughs when you know the jokes by heart. Like "Tommy Boy." That movie has also been a family favorite for years, and it's not hard to see why. Chris Farley and David Spade have perfect chemistry, and both are highly skilled comedians. One of my favorite scenes takes place at a gas station. Director Peter Segal builds the tension so well that when the funny event happens, I let loose with a big guffaw every time. And Chris Farley's reaction shot is priceless.
Another reason to watch a movie a second time is to revisit the characters. In addition to being great entertainment by itself, rewatching "Brotherhood of the Wolf" is like spending time with old friends. Fronsac, Mani, Marianne, Tomas...it's fun to spend two-and-a-half hours with them. Another movie that fits this description is "The Messenger." The film is too sad to watch frequently, but Will Montgomery and Tony Stone are two intruiguing and likable characters. They're so well-acted that
it's nice to see them again every once in a while.
Just because a movie is "good" doesn't mean it fits into this category. I own "The War Zone," but believe me, I'm not going to be able to watch that movie again for a long time. It's far too painful. If someone asks me to watch it with them (and someone already has), I'm going to hand them the DVD and watch something else instead. Am I going to see it again? Yes. A film that well crafted must be appreciated every once in a while, but not often. I'm still hesitant about watching movies that are hard to watch, despite me loving them before I saw "The War Zone" for a second time.
Like all movies, what makes something worth watching again and again depends on the viewer. Internet film critic James Berardinelli considers "A Fish Called Wanda" one of the funniest films ever made and a great pick-me-up. I consider it to be a lifeless comedy that has been drained of energy by director Charles Crichton. I'm sure there are some people who feel similar towards "Brotherhood of the Wolf."
So what makes a movie worth revisiting? It depends on a few factors. Action movies are the ones that are the most "rewatchable" because extravagant stunts and fight scenes can provoke awe after one or two viewings (at least in my opinion). Consider "True Lies," which has been a family favorite for years. The scene with the Harrier jet is awesome. I mean, it's jaw-dropping. The sequence is so well-executed by James Cameron that it still gets the adrenaline pumping no matter how many times you see it.
Sometimes it's because the story is so much fun. I watch "Brotherhood of the Wolf" once every few months. I know every scene and most of the lines of dialogue. But the story is so good with so many juicy twists that the fact that I've seen it dozens of times is irrelevant. I still find it highly enjoyable. And like "True Lies," it has plenty of spectacular action scenes.
There are some non-action movies that are worth watching again and again. Comedies are less impressive the second time around because shock and surprise are hugely crucial for a successful laugh. Nevertheless, there are some comedies that provoke laughs when you know the jokes by heart. Like "Tommy Boy." That movie has also been a family favorite for years, and it's not hard to see why. Chris Farley and David Spade have perfect chemistry, and both are highly skilled comedians. One of my favorite scenes takes place at a gas station. Director Peter Segal builds the tension so well that when the funny event happens, I let loose with a big guffaw every time. And Chris Farley's reaction shot is priceless.
Another reason to watch a movie a second time is to revisit the characters. In addition to being great entertainment by itself, rewatching "Brotherhood of the Wolf" is like spending time with old friends. Fronsac, Mani, Marianne, Tomas...it's fun to spend two-and-a-half hours with them. Another movie that fits this description is "The Messenger." The film is too sad to watch frequently, but Will Montgomery and Tony Stone are two intruiguing and likable characters. They're so well-acted that
it's nice to see them again every once in a while.
Just because a movie is "good" doesn't mean it fits into this category. I own "The War Zone," but believe me, I'm not going to be able to watch that movie again for a long time. It's far too painful. If someone asks me to watch it with them (and someone already has), I'm going to hand them the DVD and watch something else instead. Am I going to see it again? Yes. A film that well crafted must be appreciated every once in a while, but not often. I'm still hesitant about watching movies that are hard to watch, despite me loving them before I saw "The War Zone" for a second time.
Like all movies, what makes something worth watching again and again depends on the viewer. Internet film critic James Berardinelli considers "A Fish Called Wanda" one of the funniest films ever made and a great pick-me-up. I consider it to be a lifeless comedy that has been drained of energy by director Charles Crichton. I'm sure there are some people who feel similar towards "Brotherhood of the Wolf."
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