How Long Can the Sequels Go On?

I apparently like to talk about how there’s nothing new in film anymore, and filmmakers are completely out of ideas. Well, I’m not done with that point yet. How can I be with the frightening sequel epidemic going on? Forget swine flu, we’ve got a serious case of screenwriter’s block on our hands. There have always been the film franchises that have chugged on and dragged out just a little too long - Rocky, anyone? But lately it just seems like the easy fall back is to dig up a movie that did even fairly well and try to pump some life out of it. It’s easier than writing a whole new story, right?

Well…I know it’s risky to start anew in film, but I believe people want new. I like to think of Hollywood as one big board meeting. Well, as of recently, that board meeting consists of throwing a few ideas around, rejecting them all, and then someone going “aw, screw it, let’s just do another Yentl.” (No, thank goodness, there is no Yentl sequel in the works.) Some sequels are acceptable. Toy Story 3, for example. Three isn’t pushing it too far - yet. But three should be the limit. Plus, Toy Story are fun, family friendly films with characters that live on outside of the movies.

I suppose you could say the same about Indiana Jones, but haven’t they had enough by now? Whatever happened to going out on a high note? Do we really need to see Harrison Ford swinging on a vine waving his cane with the other arm? And guess what. Mission Impossible 4 is due out in 2011. Come on. These were great, classic movies in their heyday, but to drag them out years later and beat a dead horse…it’s almost disrespecting the greatness of them. Why not remember Harrison and Tom as the action stars we couldn’t get enough of instead of the ones that kinda bore us a little? It’s time to move on and let these movies live on in their legendary fame and popularity. But, as we’ve all seen, Hollywood suits don’t quite listen to us, so rest assured the fifth Indiana Jones is a go, and presumably, George Lucas will try to release more animated versions of his films.

July 3rd, 2009 by Courtney Iseman | Posted in Uncategorized | (0)