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The '80s movies we think deserve a reboot

Every week we ask a question of the folks around our offices to see what they're into. This week we wanted to know which '80s movies should get an update.

Jason Parker
Jason Parker has been at CNET for nearly 15 years. He is the senior editor in charge of iOS software and has become an expert reviewer of the software that runs on each new Apple device. He now spends most of his time covering Apple iOS releases and third-party apps.
Jason Parker
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1 of 17 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

The Last Starfighter

Editor's note: Every week we ask a question to the folks around our offices to see what they're into. This week we wanted to know which '80s movies should get an update.

What's more '80s then a day-dreaming trailer park kid whose only escape is a coin-operated arcade game? Then we come to find out it's a recruitment tool for an adventure into space? Heck, even I started playing more games like Xevious (look it up) hoping "The Last Starfighter" (Universal Pictures) was real. Spoiler: it's not.

Nowadays video games are a billion dollar industry with console, PC and mobile platforms so why not just do it again. If you're tired of superhero films and want good old '80s American escapist entertainment, I think this is the best option.

- Mitchell Chang, Senior Editor

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The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension

The world is still waiting for the promised sequel: "Buckaroo Banzai Against the World Crime League" (20th Century Fox). What's Buckaroo up to? Is Perfect Tommy still perfect? Will Rawhide ever be brought out of suspended animation? SO MANY QUESTIONS.

"Buckaroo Banzai" is already the greatest film in history, hitting all the required '80s notes. Rock band performance? Check. Aliens out of nowhere? Check. A hero who has ties to America and Japan? Check. The most style? Yup. Bring it all back. As for casting, it's impossible to think of a replacement for Peter Weller, but Ryan Gosling is an ideal Perfect Tommy Replacement. And Jeff Goldblum hasn't aged at all so just put him back in the cowboy outfit and let New Jersey return in all his giant hat glory.

- Morgan Little, Social Media Strategist

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Prince of Darkness

No, not Ozzie -- but the 1987 horror film, "Prince of Darkness," (Universal Pictures) from director John Carpenter. It wasn't exactly one of Carpenter's best-loved works, but it's still a decent creep-fest about a priest and some students trying to keep demonic forces at bay in an old church. Just like in "The Thing," characters we know and trust can suddenly turn lethal so paranoia and distrust run rampant. Seems like a prime candidate for a remake. It's got a solid premise of foreboding evil, just needs a new coat of CGI paint, and Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role -- he'd give it the darkness it needs.

- Doug Vargas, Production Manager

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WarGames

An '80s classic with eerily relevant modern themes: the threat of nuclear war, artificial intelligence, talking computers, easily guessed passwords and hacking into government computers. Plus, "WarGames" (MGM/UA Entertainment Company) gives us the life lessons that there are no winners in tic-tac-toe and Defcon 1 means this sh8*&^$t just got real.

In a nod to their iconic '80s performances, Matthew Broderick would return as computer scientist Dr. Steven Falken and Ally Sheedy as the woman at NORAD who nervously announces when the computer has cracked 6 of the 10 launch codes. For the main roles -- Jennifer Mack: I'd cast Ajiona Alexus (from "Empire" and "13 Reasons Why") because she's really good at playing a high school student. David Lightman: I'd cast Miles D. Heizer (from "13 Reasons Why") because I'd like to see him in a role with his natural hair color, and I'm clearly currently obsessed with "13 Reasons Why."

- Mariel Myers, Senior Producer

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The Goonies

When "Stranger Things" was released last year, all I kept thinking was how it reminded me of the camaraderie and sense of exploration of the kids in "The Goonies" (Warner Bros.), but with much scarier monsters and villains than the Fratelli's and One-Eyed Willy. I think a remake of The Goonies for the 21st Century would be really cool because now we have cellphones, smartwatches, GPS, online translation services, and slick shoes ... wait we don't have those yet! I definitely would love to have as many of the original cast members back as parents of the next generation of The Goonies. RIP Mama Fratelli and Sloth.

- Claudia Cruz, Reporter, CNET en Español

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Ice Pirates

"Ice Pirates" (MGM/UA Entertainment Company) is the classic '80s space comedy romp, remade as a serious indictment of corporate exploitation and craven capitalism. Ice Pirates is a space age take on Robin Hood, stealing the most precious substance in the galaxy to save the thirsty who suffer under the boot of the corporation Mithra. Mithra has taken control of all large scale sources of space ice and heavily tax all exports, withholding access to maintain a stranglehold on the masses. Idris Elba brings his gravitas as Jason the sardonic leader of the Ice Pirates. Ron Perlman, Angelica Huston and Bruce Vilanch would all return in reprized roles. And Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

- Chris Robertson, Director of Product Management

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Willow

"Willow" (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) has everything: a grand adventure, romance, evil powers that menace the world, a reluctant hero... even a great soundtrack. The movie has aged a bit though (Val Kilmer's wig doesn't necessarily look as great as it did back in 1988). I would definitely watch it again with Michael B. Jordan playing the Kilmer role, a new script that brings to the 21st century some of the themes of the movie and a light touch on the special effects side (please not too many explosions and digital recreations of fantastic worlds).

- Patricia Puentes, Engagement Editor, CNET en Español

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Krull

"Krull" (Columbia Pictures) is one of those fun good vs. evil fantasy stories with terrible '80s-era special effects, a mediocre cast (with a young Liam Neeson!), and forgettable dialogue and action scenes. They could easily reboot the story, CGI the bejeezus out of it, and throw in a better cast (with an old Liam Neeson!) and have a potential hit. Plus, the timing for genre movies like these couldn't be better.

- Jeremy Toeman, Vice President, Product

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Gleaming the Cube

It's been a long time but I remember really enjoying "Gleaming the Cube" (20th Century Fox). There were a bunch of skaters and bad guys and a kid that hung out in a bomb shelter. I'm afraid to rewatch it though because it may turn out to be horrible. Then all those fuzzy nostalgia feels will turn to remorse for having such poor taste in my youth. Instead, Hollywood should just remake it so I'll never have to validate my memories.

- Tristan R., Product Manager, CMS & Search

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Airplane!

"Airplane!" (Paramount Pictures). What better time to remake this brilliant satire than now? The modern ridiculousness we go through for air travel provides ample new fodder for a remake. It's easy to imagine a scene where someone is physically dragged off a plane for laughs. For the role of Dr. Rumack, famously played by Leslie Nielsen, I'd cast Jon Hamm. He has the expert dry literalness needed to say lines like "I am serious ... and don't call me Shirley." Jeff Bridges would have to play Steve McCroskey, the character his father Lloyd Bridges did. It's easy to envision him saying with a slight The Dude drawl, "Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue."

- Patrick Holland, Associate Editor

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Short Circuit 2

Number 5 ... is alive! In a time filled with serious stories of robots and artificial intelligence, what better movie to reboot than this comedic sequel to the original "Short Circuit" (TriStar Pictures)? Johnny 5 is a lovable robot that gets snapped up by criminals, resulting in a daring rescue plan. It's also time to finally rectify the culturally insensitive casting of Fisher Stevens and put Aziz Ansari in his place (he also did a great interview with Stevens about Hollywood's diversity issues).

- Lexy Savvides, Senior Editor

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Gremlins

Definitely "Gremlins" (Warner Bros). But in this case with the concept of a "Gremlin" being a fault in mechanical or electronic technology. How great would it be to see that mini-monster concept fleshed out in the gadget and smartphone driven world we live in today? A close runner up in similar frame would be Stephen King's "Maximum Overdrive," essentially embracing the idea of smart tech/cars becoming sentient and terrorizing people.

- Bryan VanGelder, Studio Production Manager and Sound Engineer

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Evilspeak

"Evilspeak" (Moreno Films, Warner Bros. Pictures) didn't do well at all when it came out for various reasons (weak story, lacking special effects, it was 1981), but the premise still seems like a winner: Bullied military cadet is able to summon demons to attack his tormentors -- via his computer. Brilliant, right?

As for casting, I'd prefer an unknown young actor to avoid any baggage from previous roles. And, if we follow current film rules, one of the instructors would be Clint Howard, star of the original, in a cameo.

You're welcome, world.

- Jeff Sparkman, Senior Copyeditor

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Pretty in Pink

Oh, how those of us who went to prom in the '80s loved John Hughes' "Pretty in Pink" (Paramount Pictures). But it's aged about as well as jelly shoes and legwarmers. This time, scrappy Andie, aka Molly Ringwald (Maisie Williams in the new version) would have to end up with Duckie (Jon Cryer gets replaced with Miles Teller, if he were 10 years younger) because the funny geek obviously makes a better partner than the bland cover boy (Brenton Thwaites as the new Andrew McCarthy?). Or maybe Duckie's another girl, because it's 2017.

And even though we're looser about fashion, gaaah, someone remake Molly's prom dress so it doesn't look like a group of third graders drew it in Microsoft Paint. Don't you touch that Psychedelic Furs theme song though, Hollywood, or I will melt you like a Pudding Pop.

- Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, CNET contributor

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Iron Eagle

"Iron Eagle" (TriStar Pictures) was Red Dawn, Top Gun and Hackers all rolled in to one. The idea that a teenager could fly an F-16 into a hostile Middle Eastern country to save his POW father is something we could all get behind in the '80s. Lucas Hedges is just the right amount of whiny to play Doug. Samuel L. Jackson would make a perfect 'Chappie'.

- Andy Altman, Associate Editor

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E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

"E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" (Universal Pictures) for sure. A modern reboot would have WAY better CGI than the puppets of the past! Plus Drew Barrymore could play the mom.

- Liza Maloy, Product Manager

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The Flight of Dragons

I loved the animated movie "The Flight of Dragons" (ABC Lorimar Television) when I was small, but it has not aged well at all. The concept of a nice, quiet, logically minded board game designer falling into his own creation to save a magical world, however, is still definitely hugely appealing. I'd love to see a live-action remake, complete with awesome CG dragons.

I'd cast Dan Stevens. I've seen him play both heroic roles and quiet nerd-like characters, so I think he'd fit the part of Peter perfectly. And I think it could be interesting to cast Samuel L Jackson as Carolinus, and Ruth Negga as Princess Melisande. And Peter Serafinowicz as the evil red wizard, Ommadon.

- Michelle Starr, Senior Associate Editor

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