What's old is new again

Last weekend, two '80s remakes came out in movie theaters: "The A-Team" and "The Karate Kid." I had the chance to see one of them, and I was expecting the worst. But maybe setting my expectations (very) low was the way to go.

When iconic movies and TV shows are remade, those faithful to the original versions tend to begrudge whatever modern flairs are added to something that was, in their view, once great. I usually find myself in that category.

I caught "The A-Team" on Friday, its opening day. I didn't grow up watching the TV show on which the movie was based, a five-season-long series that started in 1983. I was familiar with character B.A.'s (Mr. T) phrase "I pity the fool," but I never knew it was from "The A-Team" show.

The show and movie follow four ex-Army guys accused of a "crime they didn't commit" as they dodge the law and pull off ridiculous stunts in the name of good.

But after watching the movie, a fast-paced, action-heavy summer flick, I was curious and started watching the '80s TV show instantly on Netflix.

The movie wasn't the most entertaining thing I've seen this year, but for a summer distraction, it wasn't bad. It opted for more explosions and crazier action than what I saw in the first season of the show. But if fans from the '80s are looking for a silver lining, just think of the new audiences exposed to the show because of the movie. And thanks to the Internet and DVDs, the show is easily accessible.

Now, for "The Karate Kid," which swept the box offices this weekend taking in $56 million. Even though the movie came out in 1984, it must have played on the TV throughout the '90s because I caught it several times growing up.

And even though the '80s and early '90s saw three sequels to the original movie, that didn't stop a new version starring Will Smith's son, Jaden, and Jackie Chan. It's a little weird to have a karate kid movie without the late Pat Morita's Mr. Miyagi character though.

While I haven't had a chance to catch the 2010 "Karate Kid" yet, I plan to for these reasons: First, it looks entertaining. Second, both professional reviewers and my friends have said it's fun and enjoyable. And third, like the "A-Team" movie, because enough years have passed since the original "Karate Kid" came out, I don't think the remake will be a slap in the face to the original.

I know nothing about fashion, but I've read every few decades trends are recycled, and apparently movies are no exception.

Almost a decade ago, both the "Charlie's Angels" and "Starsky & Hutch" movies came out, both based on '70s TV shows. Should we prepare for movies based on popular '90s shows?

Maybe. There is a "Baywatch" movie scheduled to be released in 2012 after all.