Was a remake really necessary?

I went to see the remake of "Clash of the Titans" the other weekend. After viewing it, I'm not sure why anyone felt it necessary to do a remake, except that it gave the film maker the chance to do some awesome special effects. Basically, the story is the same as the 1981 movie: young Perseus must go on a quest for the head of Medusa, which is needed to turn the Kraken into stone before he eats Andromeda and destroys mankind in the bargain. Don't get me wrong, the first movie did its part to mess up the whole Perseus myth; this film absolutely muddies it up even worse. Many changes have been made from the original film, most of which were unnecessary and disappointing. The addition of Io was totally pointless, and her storyline destroys the end of the movie. In the original movie, there was more interaction between Zeus and several of the other gods, including Poseidon, Hera, and Athena; here, Zeus and Hades are the only gods utilized very much, and in fact, the picture becomes nearly a showdown between the two, with Perseus in the middle. The little mechanical owl from the first film is used as a throwaway bit in this movie; Perseus doesn't want to use the magical sword given him by Zeus; the huge scorpions have multiplied and are used as transportation; the old philosopher character is gone; the three Gray Ladies(Stygian witches) are monsters instead of old women with only one eye between them; Perseus is the only character with a buzz cut--why?; the whole legend of Danae has been changed--now it is her husband rather than her father who puts her and her child into a chest and casts it into the sea and in this film Danae perishes; you never get to see the entire Kraken as in the first film; the love story between Perseus and Andromeda is gone, and so on. On the plus side, although I enjoyed Ray Harryhausen's special effects in the original, the effects in this movie are quite good. I really liked what they did with Medusa, especially keeping her face beautiful (except when putting the eyes on you) and having her laughing as she chased the characters; and the winged horses were great, especially Pegasus, although why he was referred to as "the" Pegasus and made black, I'll never understand--another unnecessary change. Overall, the only reason to see this movie would be for the effects, as the story is definitely lacking from both the original Greek myth and the original movie. If you saw the 1981 film, don't bother with this one unless you are really into special effects. If you must see it, wait for it to come out as a DVD rental.

RETURN OF THE SHADE by Bevis Longstreth, 2009.

An interesting, if not very involving, novel set in ancient Persia after the time of King Xerxes. The story concerns Parysatis, daughter, wife, and mother of Persian monarchs. Evidently, she has been given a bad rep by Greek historians, and in this novel, she comes back from the dead to tell her version of the story. It's a story that includes rape, murder, palace intrigue, torture, unrequited love, and sexual abandon in the glittering Courts at Susa, Persepolis, and Babylon. The cast of characters includes monarchs, queens, concubines, generals, and eunuchs, all jockeying for enormous power and prestige, and all willing to do anything to get them. The author includes fine descriptions of Persian life and customs, but unfortunately, none of the characters are very sympathetic or likeable, nor do you much care about any of them. Many seem rather one note and cardboard-like. The only exception is Parysatis herself, who is somewhat more developed, but not totally three dimensional. I found this novel to be full of information and it really piqued my interest in the Achaemenid dynasty, but I was really disappointed in the rather lifeless writing style and lack of character development. It could have been an exciting and fully realized historical at the hands of someone else or with a lot more work by this writer.

DELILAH by India Edghill, 2009.

Like her previous novels, Queenmaker and Wisdom's Daughter, Edghill takes a Biblical story and expands on it to create a fully absorbing and satisfying read. In this case, she uses the Old Testament story of Samson and Delilah, weaving an entirely plausible backstory for the characters as well as keeping the basic story in view. Beautiful and graceful Delilah is raised as a dancer-priestess to the goddess Atargatis in the Philistine city of Ascalon. She falls for Samson, the Hebrew judge and reluctant warrior-hero who is considered an enemy by the Philistines, as soon as she sees him, but the evil High Priestess has plans for them both. Plots and schemes separate them physically but not in their hearts, and when events finally bring them together, it's with the knowledge that love can last even in death. Excellent storytelling, accurate description, and I enjoyed the way the author actually includes connections to her earlier books. If you enjoy Biblical based fiction, this will satisfy.

THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, 2008.

I had been meaning to read this, but had just put it off. Don't know why, just got buried under other books I wanted to read more. It's an excellently crafted story done in letters, between a British woman writer and a group of people on the Island of Guernsey, concerning their lives during the German Occupation of the island during World War II. As the story is set in 1946, the memories are fresh, and thus there's more of an impact. Author Juliet Ashton is contacted by a man, Dawsey Adams, who owns one of her discarded books, and the correspondence takes off from there: she, looking for another subject for a book, becomes intrigued by some of his references to the Literary Society and wants to know more. Dawsey recommends she correspond with others on the island. So she exchanges letters with others in the society and over time the story is fleshed out through these letters. Juliet is drawn into their varied lives comes to know them intimately--their likes, dislikes, what they read, how they feel, etc., and eventually she decides to visit Guernsey to meet them all in person. Her visit becomes a time of self discovery for Juliet, as she meets the folks she has come to know only through their letters. There is kind Amelia Maugery, fisherman Eben Ramsey and his grandson Eli, Isola Pribby (who makes potions), the pretender John Booker, Will Thisby, who concocts potato peel pie for the group, and young Kit McKenna, an orphan; all of whom have their own stories, plus pieces of the main story. Central to the novel is the story of Elizabeth McKenna, a friend to many on Guernsey, who is taken away by the Germans to Ravensbruck, and who hasn't returned yet. Part of Juliet's discoveries on the island concern Elizabeth and her whereabouts and what they learn about Elizabeth's fate changes all of these characters' lives forever. A very moving and fascinating book, well drawn characters good and bad, interesting story and setting, lots of genuine warmth and humor, and about finding connections. A very worthwhile read.