It isn’t news to anyone that the majority of well-performing films these days are not original stories. Whether they come from old folk tales (as many Disney films do), began as popular books or are another installation of a beloved franchise, these stories are not entirely new. Many decry this trend, calling for more creativity and originality, and perhaps their complaints have merit. But is the retelling or continuation of a story really that bad?

I would like to focus on a few recent films which have given me faith in the telling of old tales. However, they all have some of the same basic quality that makes them worthwhile: updating the outdated. There are very few old films which contain a good deal of diversity, if any at all. Most movies made before perhaps the 1980s are incredibly male-focused. We can narrow this down even further by specifying that these are white, straight, cisgendered men. Those belonging to any other demographic are much harder to come by. Now this isn’t to say that modern films are paragons of equality and diversity. They have an incredibly, devastatingly long way to go. But what if we could make some improvements on those narrow-minded films of yesteryear? Obviously, we can’t go back and change them (unless we’re George Lucas, of course) but maybe a little updating wouldn’t hurt. This could give us a chance to include those who for so long have gone without their own stories. And in fact, in several cases, this has already happened.

My favorite example is "Mad Max: Fury Road," currently my favorite film (and one which I have already written about). While the original "Mad Max" has some fun action and thrills, "Fury Road" adds something which can improve any movie: many, many more women. In George Miller’s original films, the women did little more than be killed or raped. In the 2015 installation of the franchise, however, it is the women who take charge; it is their story. Max, though quite important to the story, takes a backseat to Charlize Theron’s Furiosa as she and her female companions drive the film forward. This is unlike anything you would see in an average action film, and it marvelously brings the post-apocalyptic world into modern times.

Now I am a huge, huge nerd; everyone who knows me knows this. When I was able to see the newest "Star Wars" film on its opening night, I was beyond thrilled. I then proceeded to see it five more times in the theater because my mind and expectations were blown. This film not only brings back my favorite characters from my childhood, it provides some much needed modernizing of an old franchise. While Princess Leia has always provided a great female role model and hero for many, it’s not a secret that "Star Wars" was decidedly lacking in female influence. However, "The Force Awakens" breathes new life and new characters into the films. I am beyond excited to see little Reys, Captain Phasmas, General Leias, and Maz Kanatas this Halloween. With captivating women both young and old, "The Force Awakens" gives us those much-needed women that little girls will now get to grow up with.

And let’s not forget about the magnificent character that is Finn. Though I can’t speak from my own experience as I can with women, there is always the glaring issue of racial representation in films. Going from Lando Calrissian, a criminally underused character, somehow being the only black man in space to Finn as a main character makes my heart jump with delight. John Boyega does an amazing job of creating a compassionate, determined, and hilarious character that anyone could love and look up to. I could gush just about this character all day, but perhaps that’s for another time. The bottom line is that this is one of the biggest franchises in the world, and updating it to be more in line with modern times is incredibly important. This is what many young people will learn from and love. The significance of this cannot be stressed enough.

I now want to look to the future and what Hollywood may be bringing us. In the near future, a new installation of "Ghostbusters" will be released, and it has already caused a massive amount of backlash. This, of course, is because the famous foursome has become an all-women team. It has caused many men to cry out, “You’re ruining my childhood!” And besides the fact that no new movie could go back in time and change your childhood, I really couldn't care less about what these men think. If Paul Feig and the largely women crew behind the film can provide us with any female empowerment, I’m all for it. Whether the film is good or bad, I will surely be seeing it. Another reboot which is apparently in the works is an all-female version of "Ocean's Eleven." Will it be any good? Who knows, but I’m always here for more women. And while there are absolutely some films that don’t need remakes, or have gotten ones that don’t work at all (I’m looking at you, "Poltergeist" remake that I wasted my money on), it’s usually worth the risk. Bringing to the forefront people who have for so long been left out and forgotten is imperative to equality in the world. Being able to see ourselves in the stories we tell can have a massive impact on who we become and how we see each other. So if you still have a problem with the constant reboots, remakes, and sequels that Hollywood throws at us, all I have to tell you is: You don’t have to see them, but I’ll have fun without you.