Reasons You Should Avoid Movie Sequels

By: Janice Wald | February 22, 2015 | Tags: Academy Awards, night at the museum 2, Oscars, star wars 2

Movies without original plots should be free.

Have you heard it said that there are no new ideas in Hollywood? Do you hear people complain that today’s movie plots are based on old concepts? I do.

People often complain that either old classic movies are remade, or sequels are made to hit movies since they have a built-in audience. In either case, the new movies have the same plots as their predecessors.

The first movie was made in 1889. Could it be that after 126 years of movie making, Hollywood has run out of new ideas? Let’s take a look.

Anchorman 2 I was so excited when Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, and Steve Carrell led the newsroom cast in this sequel. Even the addition of Saturday Night Live comedian Kristin Wiig couldn’t make this film as good as the original.
Pirates of the Carribbean 2 It was awful, but because it was part of the franchise of the successful #1, movie makers made more. How many more? I couldn’t tell you. They lost me during this confusing sequel.
Legally Blonde 2 How do you spell stupid? L-E-G-A-L-L… any way, you get my meaning. Harvard Law Graduate, played by Reese Witherspoon, tries to get a dog and its pup to reunite? Give me a break. Give me my money back, too. I was stupid enough to buy a ticket for this mediocrity.
Star Wars 2 Who can remember it? There were so many of them.
Night at the Museum 2 Amy Adams overacted. I felt like she was trying to compensate for how disappointing this movie was.

Finally, looking at what is popular today clues the movie-goer in to whether the ideas on the screen are fresh and original or boring.

The Oscars are tonight. One of the most acclaimed movies this year is American Spiper. It’s the story of Chris Kyle, a real-life American soldier. It may not be a sequel or a remake, but as a true story it still qualifies as unoriginal.

What is coming up in Hollywood? Mall Cop 2, Frozen 2, Pitch Perfect 2, Devil Wears

The Hunger Games had many sequels.

Prada 2, Toy Story 4, and Rocky 7 are just some examples. I wish I could say that you heard it here first–no new movie ideas, but you didn’t. Movie goers everywhere are complaining, but Hollywood is turning a deaf ear.

In conclusion, this post was titled, Reasons You Should Avoid Movie Sequels. If you go see them, and Hollywood continues to profit from unoriginal ideas, the lack of originality will continue. I say, boycott those retreads! If movie-goers stop giving their money to buy tickets to movies whose plots lack originality, Hollywood will be forced to try harder and write new ideas in their screenplays.

Readers, if you agree that today’s movies lack originality, please share.

Can you think of any other disappointing movie sequels?

I look forward to your views.

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MyLovingWife

Funny, that’s one of the reasons I didn’t go see the Hobbit movies, despite being a huge Tolkien fan. I couldn’t accept that they made 3 movies out of a book that’s shorter than the Fellowship of the Ring (1st book in the LOTR trilogy in case anyone doesn’t know – as unlikely as that is)

I also refused to go watch Harry Potter 7 #1 & #2 as I won’t be seeing Hunger Games Mocking Jay. Wait, I didn’t see the first two in the theatre anyway. There’s nothing that justifies two movies for one book. Except making money.

To be perfectly honest, I don’t like sequels in general… I didn’t like Matrix 2 and 3. Never bothered to watch any of the Disney movies sequels except Peter Pan Return to Neverland. Can’t recall ever seeing Toy Story 2 in fact, though I have the music somewhere on my computer.
And I could have shot myself when I finally watched Iron Man 3; I don’t even remember Iron Man 2 story line. I know I watched the movie on TV but well, that tells you how much of an impact it had on me LOL.

Reply
- Janice Wald
  
  Hi,
  Happy Oscar Day,
  1. I read most of the Hobbit, but I didn’t like the movie, so I didn’t go see the sequels. What was the lead’s name? Eli something, I think? He had great eyes but his performances are all so understated that I get bored.
  2. I saw The Matrix but didn’t like it either. I was so bored, I didn’t finish watching the movie.
  3. You are right about turning one book into two movies for the sole purpose of Hollywood making money. They did it with Twilight too.
  4. Speaking of Harry Potter, I thought the original Dumbledore, Richard Harris, who died, was much better than the replacement.
  5. Regarding Toy Story: I enjoyed the movies but less and less with each sequel. I thought Toy Story 3 was way too intense for its child population though I understand Disney has a rep for intense scenes. During Frozen, there was one scene where every character was in peril.
  6. I enjoyed talking movies with you today. Now that I have become mostly a blogging advice blogger I don’t get to do it very often. I enjoyed writing the post and talking about it with you. Thanks for writing.
  Janice
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john doe

I am looking forward to Rocky 7,9,9,10 if they made them

Reply
- Janice Wald
  
  I hate to confess it, but me too.
  
  Reply
garym6059

While sequels do generally suck or at least not as good as the original. The Godfather II broke the mold on that, unfortunately they didn’t leave well enough alone and made a Godfather III 15 years later.

Reply
- Janice Wald
  
  Hi Gary,
  Welcome to my blog. I sent you your private advice post tonight via Gmail. Sorry for the short delay.
  I remember Godfather II with Pacino and Keaton, yes. Was that the one where she got the abortion and they broke up? I thought they had chemistry and was rooting for them as a couple. I was sad when they broke up; I guess that’s the romantic in me. LOL I’m such fans of both of them Thanks for writing. Welcome once again.
  
  Reply
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DebraBlock

You missed Horriable Bosses 2, 102 Dalmations, Left in Las Vegas 2, and 3.

Reply
- Janice Wald
  
  Hi Debbie,
  Thanks for writing. I’m glad there was something other than blogging advice for you on my blog. I didn’t think to mention those films since I didn’t see them. Too bad about Horrible Bosses 2, though. I LOVED the first one.
  Janice
  
  Reply
mrsmuffintop

I’m with you! I will readily boycott sequels! Except Pitch Perfect 2, because my friend did the hair for the movie…. 🙂 Aside from that, I am on your team. WHile we’re at it: REMAKES! I want my time and money back for the new Annie. Even my kids didn’t like it!

Reply
- Janice Wald
  
  Hi,
  I think Neil Patrick Harris made a joke on the Oscars about how bad Annie was. The original with Carol Burnett in the role of Ms. Hannigan was great. I don’t understand why they remake classics.
  I must confess to contradict my own post, I am looking forward to Pitch Perfect 2 since I LOVED the first one. When I exercise (which I rarely have time for,) I exercise to the music. My daughter and I sing the songs and take parts. I hope I’m not disappointed. Based on the sequels I discussed, I guess I should expect the worst but hope for the best. I good motto for life! Thanks for writing. It’s been fun corresponding with you.
  Janice
  
  Reply
Lidy

I’m just glad no one had the great idea to remake Tank Girl. But I have to admit I loved Beverly Hills Cop 2 and 3 (well didn’t like 3 that much) and Ghost Busters 2 (I’m still waiting for the third movie). I also admit that I didn’t like Thor 2 that much but I did love The Winter Soldier, the sequel to Captain America. And I can’t wait for Avengers 2 coming this spring/summer? Loved Iron Man 1 & 2 but 3 didn’t do too much for me. And don’t get me started on the Xmen as I’m still debating if they should’ve made that Wolverine movie. PS I watched all the Harry Potter movies and loved them all but movie 1,4 and 5 are my favorites.

Reply
- Janice Wald
  
  Hi Lidy,
  I am so excited about this Friday, I can hardly breathe! Remember to please send me the link when it goes live. It’s such an honor to guest blog for you I want to put it on my About page. Thank you for the follow by the way.
  Let’s talk sequels. I liked Beverly Hills Cop 2. I like Judge Reinhold who (whom?) I remember in the sequel.
  I don’t think I knew there was a Ghost Busters II. Bill Murray is doing so well in his acting career in recent years, I am really happy for him.
  I never saw any of the Iron Mans (can you believe it?). I’m not an adventure movie kind of girl so no Captain America or Avengers for me. My daughter asked me to watch Xmen with her (Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, yes?), but I didn’t get into it at all. I didn’t get the appeal. I still haven’t seen Wolverine. My daughter and husband watched it, so I don’t think I’ll get the opportunity, but I’m not that interested so it’s okay. I watched all the Harry Potter movies too. I loved the Dumbledore in #1. I think the late Richard Harris (was that him?) was a tough act to follow. I read all the books too.
  This is so much fun talking movies
  Thanks for everything this week really.
  Janice
  
  Reply
  - lidywilks2
    
    Hi Janice,
    
    I’m excited as well. I’ll send you the link as soon as possible. Anyways, you didn’t know about Ghost Busters II? I love Ghost Busters. It’s my upper movie. No matter how bad or low I’m feeling, just seeing Vengkman, Ray, Egon and Winston and hearing the theme song would bring me back up. And I love Hugh Jackman as Wolvermine (he was perfectly cast). But I didn’t like Halley Berry as Storm. Movie going season for us is blockbuster season in the spring and summer. We’re all about the action adventure and since my husband and I grew up watching Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Xmen, etc we’ll always go see their movies. So sorry that you’re not an adventure movie kind but if you ever do get curious then watch the following: Xmen 1 and 2, the first class and days of future past. Captain america 1 and 2. Ironman 1 and 2. Spiderman (ft toby maquire) 1 and 2. The Avengers and definitely the 2nd one coming out this year, the age of ultron! Didn’t like fantastic four 1 and 2 much but they’re redoing it, so jury still out if we’ll watch that.
    
    And you are correct, Richard Harris was a great Dumbledore. No he was Dumbledore. No one else but him could ever be Dumbledore. And now that we’re on movies adapted from books, how about a follow up post about movies based/adapted from books. eg Which book(s) should Hollywood just not touch and turn into film? On Valentine’s Day, my husband and I went to see The Seventh Son because Kingsman: The Secret Service was sold out. I knew from the commercial that it to be based on a book. And the end credits confirmed it. The script is based on The Spooks Apprentice from The Wardstone Chronicles. The movie was okay-ish but after reading the synopsis of the series, I wished they hadn’t made it into film. Or at least kept it close to the original writing.
    
    Reply
    - Janice Wald
      
      Hi Lidy,
      Movies rarely if ever do a book proud. The film is hardly ever as good as the book. I liked The Giver, though, actually better than the book.
      Take care,
      Janice
      
      Reply
BritishMumUSA

One of my favorite movies is The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, March 6th the second movie is coming out. I am going to go see it and I am going to HOPE!!!!!!! That’s it 🙂 HOPE!!!!!!

Reply
- Janice Wald
  
  Hi,
  I am having so much fun talking movie sequels with people. I was afraid since it didn’t contain blogging advice, no one would be interested. The comments are in double digits.
  I consider you my PicMonkey friend. I still haven’t looked into it. I’ve had a crazy busy two weeks.
  Let’s talk movies. I love the cast of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. It was up for awards as the Oscars, so for both reasons I was interested.
  However, my husband doesn’t like comedies, and the previews looked kind of dumb, so I haven’t pursued it.
  Thanks for the contact!
  Janice
  
  Reply