Knock Knock, Whos There? Banana - What The Sequel Is And Is Not
Movie sequels have grown more and more popular over the years. It seems any movie that does well at the box office will have sequel written all over it. Often times the quality of the film deteriorates with each effort to recreate the brilliance that embodied the original.
What sets a sequel apart from one that is designed to ride the profit-generating wave of its predecessor and the other that provides quality entertainment? Following is a list of things to consider before buying your movie-theatre ticket to the next sequel on your list or saving your money by waiting for its release on DVD.
1. The Trilogy - Movies are made to tell you a story. Often times the story is better served by telling it through a number of films, rather than cramming or cutting it down to one. Good examples of successful action trilogies are Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, and Indiana Jones. All of these films keep within the same storyline while deepening each role of the characters we have grown to love (or hate in some cases). While Harry Potter isnt a trilogy, it is an epic story successfully told throughout several installments. Trilogies have the advantage of being planned ahead of time with the intent to create additional movies before the first one is even shot. This generally makes for a more fluid storyline and enjoyable experience.
2. The sequel is based on a concept, not a story - This reminds me of a child who finally gets the knock, knock joke about the banana. Its not funny anymore when he tells it correctly and for the 57th time. Well, neither is a movie about the neurotic, slap-happy duo, Harry and Lloyd, the second time around. The success of the movie Dumb and Dumber was based solely on the comedic style of these two characters, which was enough to endure only once. There was no way of developing our relationship with Harry and Lloyd any further. Sometimes I think its necessary to ask yourself, "Orange you glad I didnt say banana?" YES.
3. The sequel loses some (or all) of its original cast - When Jeff Daniels and Jim Carey opted out of participating in the sequel of Dumb and Dumber (Dumb and Dumberer), it should have been a red flag to movie-goers everywhere. Actors and actresses have a knack for spotting a disaster in the making and maybe we should trust their judgment. When a sequel does not have the support of its original cast, it creates gaps in the storyline which are very difficult to overcome. Throw-away lines explaining the absence of a main character cheapens the relationships that were built, between the actors and audience members alike. Other action films sporting less of a cast (and less substance) the second time around are Speed 2 and The Next Karate Kid.
The importance of building relationships is focused on in many areas of our lives today and the movies are no exception. Patrons can relate to the characters and stories they see on film. While we would love to see more, we also require a deeper connection. Like any relationship, we need a reason to keep coming back for more.
For more information or for questions on buying or selling used Action and adventure DVDs from Bond to Terminator, visit http://www.used-actionmovies.com/. If you have any questions please email at [email protected]
What sets a sequel apart from one that is designed to ride the profit-generating wave of its predecessor and the other that provides quality entertainment? Following is a list of things to consider before buying your movie-theatre ticket to the next sequel on your list or saving your money by waiting for its release on DVD.
1. The Trilogy - Movies are made to tell you a story. Often times the story is better served by telling it through a number of films, rather than cramming or cutting it down to one. Good examples of successful action trilogies are Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, and Indiana Jones. All of these films keep within the same storyline while deepening each role of the characters we have grown to love (or hate in some cases). While Harry Potter isnt a trilogy, it is an epic story successfully told throughout several installments. Trilogies have the advantage of being planned ahead of time with the intent to create additional movies before the first one is even shot. This generally makes for a more fluid storyline and enjoyable experience.
2. The sequel is based on a concept, not a story - This reminds me of a child who finally gets the knock, knock joke about the banana. Its not funny anymore when he tells it correctly and for the 57th time. Well, neither is a movie about the neurotic, slap-happy duo, Harry and Lloyd, the second time around. The success of the movie Dumb and Dumber was based solely on the comedic style of these two characters, which was enough to endure only once. There was no way of developing our relationship with Harry and Lloyd any further. Sometimes I think its necessary to ask yourself, "Orange you glad I didnt say banana?" YES.
3. The sequel loses some (or all) of its original cast - When Jeff Daniels and Jim Carey opted out of participating in the sequel of Dumb and Dumber (Dumb and Dumberer), it should have been a red flag to movie-goers everywhere. Actors and actresses have a knack for spotting a disaster in the making and maybe we should trust their judgment. When a sequel does not have the support of its original cast, it creates gaps in the storyline which are very difficult to overcome. Throw-away lines explaining the absence of a main character cheapens the relationships that were built, between the actors and audience members alike. Other action films sporting less of a cast (and less substance) the second time around are Speed 2 and The Next Karate Kid.
The importance of building relationships is focused on in many areas of our lives today and the movies are no exception. Patrons can relate to the characters and stories they see on film. While we would love to see more, we also require a deeper connection. Like any relationship, we need a reason to keep coming back for more.
For more information or for questions on buying or selling used Action and adventure DVDs from Bond to Terminator, visit http://www.used-actionmovies.com/. If you have any questions please email at [email protected]