Warbler said:
How can you defend the unneeded remaking of a classic.
Because I saw it and thought it was much better. It's the story from the book, not the 1960s take on the story, which was reworked to suit John Wayne and softened to appeal to a wider audience.
John Wayne IS Rooster Cogburn.
So is Jeff Bridges. He also gives a deeper and better portrayal of Rooster Cogburn as he was originally written, which is what I prefer.