top of page
Search

Sequels: Part 2

Writer's picture: OFSOFS

Last week I wrote about the curse of the lazy sequel, the sequel that exists only to make money, not to make enjoyable cinema. This week, what makes a great sequel? To me, a great sequels ‘expands’ on the original, it takes familiar characters, themes, even settings and heads off in a different direction, rather than just the same direction again. A great sequel will delve deeper, hopefully be emotional richer, or in the case of The Fast & The Furious, just be much much dafter. No other franchise plays as fast and loose with the concept of sequels than Vin Diesel & co. Have the third film set after the 5th in the timeline? No problem. Hated villain becomes valued ally just one film later? Why not? I’m not sure I’ll be as enthusiastic by the time Fast & Furious 13 trundles around, but for now each film outdoes the one before, another sign of great sequels. See also the Mission Impossible series, other than a stylistic mis-step with the second film, the series has gone from strength to strength, the stunts get bigger and better, new characters and settings are introduced, but the theme remains the same, Ethan Hunt saves the world, thanks, Ethan. Animation has provided rich ground for sequels, both Kung Fu Panda and Ice Age managed great second films, but ran out of steam as time went by, unlike Toy Story, where the third instalment achieved a greater emotional depth and poignancy than anyone would have thought possible. As my own children leave home, I may need a little time before I watch Andy pack up his toys and drive off again.

So, Vin Diesel, Ethan, Woody and Buzz, you all have something in common, you achieved greatness once, then went and did it again, and again. Now just make sure you know when to stop!

By Michael Hudson


From our weekly column in the Oswestry Advertizer

4 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Monsters in the Shadows

There are many reasons why Jaws (1975) is the very best film about a man-eating shark. Famously, the mechanical shark used on set...

Disability in Film

Can you think of a film character with a disability? I imagine you went for Forrest Gump with Tom Hanks, or Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man. ...

Unequal Sequels

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again reaches Oswestry in late September, the screenings are already starting to sell out and if you liked the...

Commenti


I commenti sono stati disattivati.

Oswestry Film Society is a non-profit organisation run by volunteers since 2015. Our income goes into booking films and venue overheads.  www.oswestryfilmsociety.com

Our hosts, Hermon Arts, put on a wide range of live music and performing arts events across the week. You can check out their schedule at their separate website, www.hermon-arts.org.uk

bottom of page