I had a spot for 80's and classic movies since I grew up with them, so I like your pitch.
I kinda hate Ben Hur and Clash of Titan remake.
I still think the originals were better.
I hate Conan the Barbarian remake.
I think what made the oldies better was because while they had action scenes, they were not trying to be
EPIC. They were not trying to be
badass! They were not trying to be Hollywood blockbusters! Or maybe they were but at the time but still, they were movies that were mostly about the journey than the action.
1982 Conan the Barbarian was that warm spot between what makes it a classic and what makes it a blockbuster. It had badass action scenes expected of modern blockbusters of the time, but it paced itself the right way so that we could enjoy the journey of the adventure along the way. It didn't "BEHOLD! THE CHITY OF WHATEVER!", Instead we got scenes of them casually passing through such cities and magnificent locations that made us appreciate them more better.
That's why if I ever made a Golden Axe movie, I'd want it to be the spiritual successor to 1982 Conan the Barbarian.