Random Rambling: Original Stories

I hate it when I hear people complain that the plot of something is not original. Everything is a derivative of something else at this point. How you choose to tell that story matters more than an original plot. You can be telling a story that everyone knows, but if you aren't doing something interesting with it, then what is the point? Don't get me wrong, I love original stories too, probably more so, but I am not one to dislike something because it is similar to something I have already read/seen.

The perfect example of this is the musical "Hadestown." This was one of, if not the best, musicals I saw at Shea's this past year. It is the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, one of the oldest stories ever told. However, what Anaïs Mitchell does with it makes it unique (and I am not just talking about the music and dancing). She took a pretty simple story, kept the basics, and expanded on them. She gave the characters personalities and even incorporated the "Greek chorus." Growing up, I was into Greey mythology; it's actually why I started writing for fun (but that is a story for another day). It did not matter that I knew how the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice ended. I still loved how this version was told.

Just look at how many times the works of Shakespeare have been produced on stage and screen. Can we only have one interpretation of Hamlet? The thing about stories is that different generations interpret them differently. It is how "Taming of the Shrew" can become "10 Things I Hate About You." Stories evolve and change to reflect the people, culture, and time they are made.

I don't care if the movie I am watching is based on something or even if it is a remake of something else. All I need is justification for why this story is being retold. What is this person bringing to the story? Is there something they are trying to say? These are more important to me than it being a retread of another story.