What Happens in NIMH Stays in NIMH

Robert C. O'Brien may be turning in his grave, assuming that he is dead.  His Newbery Medal-winning book "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" is being made into a movie.  Again.

Why does Hollywood feel the need to remake everything?

Don Bluth may be turning in his grave.  I'm pretty sure that he's dead.

The Secret of NIMH, as the first movie version was called, was released in 1982 and featured the cast of Fivel before Fivel ever wished upon that big, bright star. It was good stuff and one of the first legit animated films of my childhood that wasn't Disney.  Of course, I actually love Disney and Don Bluth earned his stripes there, so it had connections with the mouse.  And other rodents.

The new version, adapted by Neil Burger of The Illustionist fame, is set to be a mixture of live action and animation.  Like G-Force (which by the way is not the same G-Force from my childhood, quit kicking me, Hollywood).

Of course, if Robert C. O'Brien is still alive (what, you don't have Google?) he may be dancing. Family fare is big money.  Just ask Disney.

Or Fivel.

So what do you think, gentle reader? Is it time for a return to NIMH?

Comments

[BlackEyedGurl]

Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nihm was a favorite book and movie of my childhood. From what I can tell Hollywood wants to ruin everything that was awesome about my childhood and wrap it all up with CG effects and a rewrite. If you can't tell, I am not pleased by this news.

[iambellaluna]

Agreed. Hollywood can suck it. Leave my childhood alone!

[Maria M]

Well, to be fair the original film wasn't particularly faithful to the book. At all. And while it's an absolutely BELOVED film to me, like super seriously so, I'm kind of interested to see a faithful adaption of the book.

That being said, I doubt that's what we're in store for. And that makes me a sad panda.

re: my NIMH obsession - http://www.mommymelee.com/2009/07/courage-of-heart.html

[Whit]

Glad to see that I'm not alone. Let sleeping rats lie.

[ms martyr]

Everything old is new again - from a song that I can't remember the name of. Somebody, somewhere, said that everything original has already been done. I think that technology today just makes us realize it sooner. And now I'm going to go drown myself in coffee so maybe I'll become coherent.

[BaltimoreGal]

I loved loved loved it. Makes me sad.

[Sarah]

Agree 100%

[jen]

I will see it, just to be able to compare it to the film I loved as a child and know for certain that the original is better.
Sparklieee!

[Sweetney]

Weirdos. HEE!

[Jen]

Oh, no no no no no. Please don't screw up this small vestige of a great childhood memory with a crapass remake! LOVED the book and movie as a kid, and it was the 80s animation simplicity that just WORKED for the story. But if they INSIST on proceeding, I hope they at least keep that in mind and don't make it all CG-crazy.

[SweetPeaSurry]

I loved that movie. I don't see why they shouldn't remake the movie. I wouldn't mind it, it's not going to take away from the original for me.

[TwoBusy]

THANK YOU for letting me know I wasn't the only one to get irrationally excited and then violently angry and let down when I discovered the G-Force wasn't a motion picture remake of my kidhood Japanimation fave but instead an excuse to make a stupid fucking movie about talking fucking hamsters.

[michele]

loved the book, liked the movie...i guess we shall see.

[Sam]

I too would like to see a faithful adaptation. While I loved the movie as a child, when I read the book I realized that the orignal story was just...better. No weird, mystical medallion, a darker, more sinister human presence - having a movie made of the actual tale would just please me to no end.

Assuming, of course, that it doesn't just get Disneyfied and happy.