Five Ways NetfliX Respects Gen-X

Remakes; reboots; revamps; reimaginings… Whatever you call them, they suck and Generation X is sick of them. We grew up with Boomers shoving their nostalgia down our throats. Now we have Hollywood shoving our own nostalgia down our throats. Michael Bay is ruining our beloved toy lines with CGI laden tripe (Transformers, TMNT). They remade Ghostbusters? Before you call me sexist for hating it, stop typing. They could have cast it with androgynous hamsters and it would still be an unnecessary remake of an adored classic. A rated PG-13 Robocop? That really just defeats the point. Plus, we already had one of those ourselves. It was called Robocop 3 and it sucked. Remember when the A-Team, MacGyver and Magnum PI were on television? Yeah, that was last week because TV is full of sorry remakes. Even poor Disney has succumbed with live-action remakes of our favorite animated movies of yore.

Its sad to see how uninspired and pedestrian Hollywood has become. Really, it breaks my heart.

There is one entertainment company, however, that is a shining beacon for how to treat revamping our favorite entertainment properties from the 80s and 90s. One company is doing right by us Gen-Xers by continuing the story of our youth and treating us with respect. That company is Netflix and here are five examples of how Netflix respects Gen-X:

Cobra Kai

This popular and impossibly entertaining show had to be on this list. Some of us are Cobra Kai hipsters who sent the $10 a month to YouTube to watch this show (along with no YouTube ads and a burning curiosity why else we were paying $10 a month) before they sold the rights to Netflix. The show follows the karate rivalry of Daniel, Johnny and their families into present day and has something for everyone: Mom will like the drama, Dad will love the comedy (Johnny is freakin’ hilarious) and the kids will love the teens breaking out into full-blown karate battles at school! What really makes the show great is it treats the original characters like adults instead of just older versions of their younger selves. Moreover, the original characters aren’t just has-beens making cameos in their own show getting constantly berated by younger new characters (yes, I’m talking to you Picard). If you have not seen this show, stop what you are doing and watch it now. The first episode is included in this article to save you time.

Watch the first episode of Cobra Kai here right now if you haven’t seen it yet.

Mystery Science Theater 3000

True fans of this show just call it “MST3K” which follows a poor schlub and his robots in a spaceship who are forced to watch the worst schlock movies ever made by his nefarious employers. This may sound trite but the trio make constant and hilarious quips and jokes throughout. This show originally appeared on local programming in Minneapolis in 1988 starting creator Joel Hobson who would take a backstage role with a new star schlub, Mike Nelson, joining in 1993. The show grew into a cult hit lasting until 1999. Fast forward to 2017 when Netflix revived MST3K. They didn’t try to make it something its not. It is a continuation of MST3K with Jonah Ray and the bots making fun of such movies as “Mac & Me” and “Star Crash”. The baddie bosses are played by Patton Oswald and Felicia Day who make a great pair. Its funny and its respectful because it isn’t a remake or a reboot or a reimagine… Its just MST3K.

Stranger Things

This show is… well.. strange. It’s difficult to explain what this show is all about, and if you haven’t seen it by now, you’ll just have to watch it or maintain disinterest. Stranger Things is an original story, not a reboot or revamp, that follows a group of kids in small town Indiana through supernatural, sci-fi adventures. What makes this show cool for Gen-Xers is we see that it is an homage and a parody of the movies we grew up with in the 80s. These movies often included a group of unsupervised kids having outrageous adventures that are unbelievable and would never happen in real life. That was what made them great. Movies were extravagant and far-fetched. “Stranger Things” unapologetically draws inspiration from this making their show equally as outlandish and entertaining. There’s a reason this show has numerous awards and a rabid fanbase.

Pee-wee’s Big Holiday

For fans of childlike Pee-wee Herman, “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday” was a welcome late addition to the Pee-wee-verse. Firstly, kudos to Netflix for taking risks and even making another Pee-wee Herman movie. Secondly, kudos to Netflix for not ruining it. Any other studio would do something weird by putting some dark, edgy twist on Pee-wee Herman making it some kind of rated R, Quinten Tarantino wannabe train wreck (I’m talking to you CBS All Access). “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday” is a Pee-wee movie: Goofy, light-hearted and fun. Its got somewhat of a made-for-tv vibe but a lot of fun characters including Pee-wee’s new bromance Joe Manganiello (or should we say Broe Manganiellbro? Hehehe). Pee-wee must leave the comfort and confines of his idyllic little town of Fairville to meet his friend for an epic birthday party in New York City. As you would expect from Pee-wee, hijinks ensue. Don’t take this movie too seriously and you’ll have a good time with it.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

I hate prequels. Some of the worst franchise-ruining movies and shows have been prequels. I could name them all but you can use your imagination sparingly and be correct. So when I heard that Netflix was making a prequel series to the Dark Crystal, “Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance”, I was disappointed.

Then I was surprised… and delighted!

Set in the times leading up to the events of the 1982 classic movie, “Age of Resistance” has great characters, intriguing story and employs puppetry throughout! That’s right, they use Jim Henson style puppetry, utilizing CGI only in a limited capacity and only as an enhancement. This is what CGI was meant to be in my opinion. The producers of this show really respected the source and those who love it. They also manage to make the Skeksis frighten me still just as they did decades ago.

Honorable Mention: The Dirt

This sixth entry came to my mind late. I know my whole schtick here are lists of “five” but I included this as an “honorable mention” titled in h4 so my record is still clean. Based on the best-selling book, “The Dirt” is about the life and times of rock band Mötley Crüe. This one isn’t for the kids, but it has a great mix of drama and comedy for any adult. The actors had a big job to play already well-known people, but they nail it. Funny and heartfelt, this is a must watch for any fan of 80s rock or for anyone who just wants to watch a good film.

It’s worth it just for the Ozzy Osbourne pool scene.

So there you have it! “Five” Netflix Originals for your movie night that make life in this age of shitty reboots and remakes bearable. Netflix respect its sources and realizes how important media is to recent history’s most spurned generation. And remember, you can’t spell Netflix without an X.