I’ve now watched both. I didn’t know the 2024 version was a remake, or I’d have watched that second, but I actually think that watching them in ‘reverse’ order is a better experience. If you’ve already seen both, maybe you can sympathise with that view.
Both films are excellent, don’t get me wrong. But there are subtle (and some not-so-subtle) differences that really, really make the overall experience very different, including the impressions and understandings you come away with. The newer film is almost insultingly Hollywoodised, as it waterboards you with exposition that the original has no problem risking you not figuring out on your own.
Please do yourself a favour and don’t read up on either film before watching them. I’ve been reading reviews of the newer film that completely spoil scenes in the original that were different. It’s unreal how cavalier people are with that sort of thing 😒
So, my recommendation is to watch James MacAvoy absolutely demolishing the scenery with his chompers (I mean that in the best possible way), and then grab a cuppa and a blanket and watch the original.
I don’t understand why the remake exists. Why would you take something, make it into the same medium (i. e. film from film, not a book or game from film), but worse?
It’s like doing a remake of Harry Potter, but with school shootings and even more focus of sports. (I’m of course exaggerating this absurd analogy for comedic effect)
They did it with a vampire one called Let The Right One In a few years ago too. It must make economic sense but I hate the idea people are so put off by subtitles.
There were rumours about a remake of Druk/Another Round too recently which I also find an offensive proposition.