Ever since the start of film back in 1895, various themes and genres have been explored. Back then, the hard part about the job was trying to come up with something which people would want to see, while the hardest part about creating a film in the 21st century is the fact that everything has already been created.
But, this also means that there are a few classic themes that were really loved during their time in the limelight and deserve a comeback in 2021. This article is all about looking at what material is already available and finding ways to modernize it.
"western" (CC BY-ND 2.0) by ZoiKoraki
An example of a classic movie genre that deserves to be given more attention is the genre of western films. Western is fiction set usually somewhere between the latter half of the 19th century and the early 20th century. Traditionally, western films are set on the west side of the United States, but an easy way to help refresh this genre is by re-imagining what the stock plot of crime would look like in a different setting or era. A great example of this is The Dark Tower directed by Nikolaj Arcel as it is set in a parallel universe.
"wyatt and doc" (CC BY 2.0) by Robert Couse-Baker
Another genre that deserves its time to shine this year is crime fiction. Some people may know this genre as a murder mystery or detective story. No matter how you refer to this genre, narratives that centre around investigation, either by a professional or amateur, deserve some time in the spotlight so that this genre is not lost. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law in their 2009 version of Sherlock Holmes have re-imagined the classic tale of Sherlock Holmes. Downey Jr. and Law, with their unique portrayals of their characters, provided us with a fresh perspective on the widely known and loved classic.
"Gambling" (CC BY-NC 2.0) by sloejoe
The final genre which deserves a bit more recognition this year is gambling films. This genre can easily be changed if filmmakers, directors, and writers find new ways in which to re-imagine it. For example, they can put the focus more on the intelligence of the player, rather than on the gambling itself. A change in focus paired with a more modern take on how casinos look nowadays could rejuvenate the genre and bring something new to the world of film. It wouldn't take much for a prospective filmmaker to conduct some research into this, by visiting a review site that gives them access not just to a long list of different online casino platforms, but also to bonuses that could allow them to play for less, sampling more options.
A modernized version of classics throughout all of the three genres mentioned will help expose the younger generations to the characters and stories which the older generation have grown up with. By modernizing these stories, we are making sure that the lovable characters and the gripping plot lines are not lost in time.