I still can’t believe that it’s been 10 years since the original Chan-wook Park classic came out. The original Oldboy is, flat out, one of my all time favorite films. It is so brilliantly executed in it’s directing, performances and story, that it blew my mind when I first saw it.

So of course, they want to remake it. At least it took 10 years, so there is a good amount of distance, but lets not lie. There is NO reason to redo this film.

That being said, I love the idea of casting Josh Brolin in the role made famous by Min-sik Choi, and I think Elizabeth Olsen is a supremely talented actress.

My biggest concern so far is that Spike’s directing in this film looks way too much like the original. Cinematography, set designs, even shots here and there are just too close for comfort.

When I heard it was Spike Lee directing this remake, I at least had hope that he would bring his own spin to material. But everything about this trailer is telling me that they just did the same film all over again. I even feel they are hinting quite a bit to the infamous ending of the original.

I would love to be wrong of course, and if Spike did make a great film, than I couldn’t be happier. But of course, I’m bringing my own baggage to this (a topic I already discussed here.) If you never saw the original, I can definitely say that this looks excitingly gritty, and very intense and if it got your attention, , then by all means, ignore me and look forward to October 25! Me, I’ll be cautiously optimistic. Hey, at the very least it’s making me want to watch the original one again.

Here’s the official description of the film.

OLDBOY is a provocative, visceral thriller that follows the story of an advertising executive (Josh Brolin) who is abruptly kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement. When he is inexplicably released, he embarks on an obsessive mission to discover who orchestrated his bizarre and torturous punishment only to find he is still trapped in a web of conspiracy and torment. Co-starring Elizabeth Olsen and Sharlto Copley, OLDBOY was directed by Spike Lee, from a script by Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend, The Cell, Thor). The film was produced by Roy Lee, Doug Davison and Nathan Kahane.

Check out the trailer and make your own judgement….