Nostalgia in the making

Right now, Hollywood is in love with rebooting older films and shows. Some agree that reboots are just a waste of resources to look for older audiences that want that source of nostalgia. In this case, reboots either bring that feeling back or leave a story with much left desired. Making room for much controversy among critics and upset fans.  

“Reboots are money grabs, simple as that. Most of the time, an old movie or show gains popularity online suddenly, then producers decide to remake it to profit off of its popularity,” said Deerfield Beach High School junior Danielle Robinson.

Theorists argue that these reboots offer a fresh perspective to new generations. Newer perspectives keep them updated with modern ideas and plot lines. Recently, reboots and adaptations have been more successful with things like Animaniacs and Dune, demonstrating how a story already told with a newer perspective can change the material, making it more attractive for new and older fans. Reboots can provide new, diversified storytelling. This expansion includes new ideas and prospects for the world we live in today. Some series may benefit from expanding their horizons and changing certain characters to match new storylines, including a new race or identity to represent a unique character.  

“I believe the most important thing about a reboot or remake is staying true to the original,” said DBHS sophomore Samuel Palacios.

Many people believe reboots lack new concepts, relying on nostalgia instead of capturing what made the original what it was. Producers prioritize profit over anything else, making the reboot worse than it originally was. Reboots are so easy to find, that people question whether the entertainment industry lacks original content. This major problem brings into question whether the sector wastes time and resources that should be spent on a new, fresh source of media. Many would much prefer to see new ideas showcasing what entertainment can do. 

Whether a reboot is successful depends on its ability to bring a sense of nostalgia and a twist to the story, forging new innovative ideas. If a story follows the source material too directly, the audience will become bored, which leads to losing long-time fans and ruins an already great story. When making a reboot, the producer must think about what they can bring to the table to develop a story set together and apart from the source material

Written by Matthew Hernandez | Graphic Designed by Matthew Hernandez

Published February 7, 2025 | ePathfinder | Entertainment