CREDIT: MGM STUDIOS
Why did Hollywood feel the need to remake The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo with only slight changes from the original?

I remember a time when every new movie that came out in theatres was exactly that: a new movie. Sure, there was a tasteful homage every now and then to one of the classics or perhaps a parody of one of the not-so-classics. Still, each and every movie that came out was unique. It had a new story to tell, and a new way to tell it. Sadly, that seems to no longer be the case.

In the past few years, Hollywood has been inundating the movie-going public with everything from international remakes to TV shows being turned into movies to remakes of American movies, some of which aren't more than a few years old. Someone, at some point, has to question what the purpose of this is. Is this a profit-driven move on the part of the studios, or is it simply that there is no more creativity left in Hollywood?

Let's take for example last year's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Originally this film was released in Sweden under its proper title Män som hatar kvinnor in 2009, and though it wasn't released through any major theatre chains in Canada (such as Cineplex Odeon), it had a wide release in nearly every independent theatre in North America. Granted, it wasn't in English, but the subtitles were clear and easy to read. An easily available, easily digestible movie going experience.

So why then did the bigwigs at the studios decide that since the books had achieved massive popularity and the films had proved profitable in Sweden did they decide they needed to create an English-language version for themselves? The thing that I find terribly confusing about the Dragon Tattoo remake is that given the fact it was created to be more relatable and homespun for American audiences, why is it still set in Sweden and filled with Swedish actors — with the glaring exception, of course, of the leads? It is simply mind-boggling.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want to pay umpteen dollars for a ticket to a movie that I've already seen. Why would I bother when I could instead stay in the comfort of my own home or, better yet, go out and experience the world, and get even more entertainment value?

I have heard that there have been so many remakes in recent years because the film industry is struggling and they want to go with what they know works. But at some point I think this plan is going to backfire on the studios. At some point, the audience is going to wise up and come to the realization that they are being fed regurgitated flicks.

I know I am anxiously waiting for that day to come...