Home Opinion Midweek Mouth-off: Sequelitis

Midweek Mouth-off: Sequelitis

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‘Tis the season for high profile sequels!

How do you feel about the apparently endless series of cinematic follow-ups?

Has Hollywood gone too far with its scripting and approval of sequels before the original has even come out (e.g. The Amazing Spider Man)?

Should decades’ old classics be left alone instead of being hauled out for a wrinkly second/third/fourth/fifth/sixth installment that’s evidently just cashing in on fan nostalgia (e.g. Blade Runner)?

Have we created a soulless cinematic monster by supporting these movies, or do you actually get excited by the thought of sequels?

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Critical Hit as an organisation.

Last Updated: May 30, 2012

7 Comments

  1. James Francis

    May 30, 2012 at 10:46

    I think the sequel problem is being overblown. Yes, many more original films were made a few decades ago, but that came down to many reasons: the rise of independent cinema, the start of the blockbuster era and the end of the golden age. These were fertile grounds for new IP, so that is what studios did. Now there are plenty of modern classics to go around and make sequels of. 

    Also, the sequel thing is not new. There were plenty in the exploitation films of the Seventies and even more in the blockbuster genre of the Eighties (name a single modern horror that has spawned as many sequels as Elm Street or the Friday the 13th movies). Jaws had three sequels – the last in 1987.

    Today it is expensive to make a big movie and a flop can cost your career (just ask the executives behind Land Of The Lost and John Carter). Plus we all go to see them. Almost everyone who frequent this site paid to see The Avengers, which despite its name is a sequel. 

    At some point cheaper movies will be a reality and audiences will be tired of sequels. Then we’ll see more original stuff surface again.

    Reply

  2. Kervyn Cloete

    May 30, 2012 at 12:18

    I have absolutely zero problems with sequels as long as they are an organic continuation of either the story, characters or themes. It’s the blatant “cash-in on the name” business that drives me up the wall. 

    Besides, if it wasn’t for sequels, Don the Dragon Wilson wouldn’t have much of a career. What was it ? Ring of Fire 10?!:)

    Reply

    • James Francis

      May 30, 2012 at 12:58

      Wrong! Where would sequels be without Don the Dragon Wilson?

      Reply

  3. Lee Muller

    May 30, 2012 at 14:23

    No sequels, no Dark Knight

    Reply

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