Dan's Media Digest

SEQUELS: THREE'S THE CHARM?

I remember the days when a movie's sequel was often derided for being inferior to its predecessor -- on principle. The problem is that most films are designed to be self-contained stories; with plot, character, and structure working towards a resolution. There's rarely a need for a sequel for the majority of films made, unless the premise is sufficiently flexible to allow another story using the same characters, or it's designed to be a trilogy from the beginning.

Oh, and if the studio makes millions and get greedy...

There are famous examples of good sequels, however: The Godfather Part II (better than the original?), Batman Returns, Star Trek II (the best Trek), Terminator 2, Superman II (more entertaining?), Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (more expansive), Aliens (more elaborate), X-Men II (better story), Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, Toy Story 2, Gremlins 2, Hot Shots Part Deux, etc...

But it's still debatable if these films are actually better than the originals, rather than just decent continuations. Many sequels twist the original's premise to a fresh degree (T2 is effectively a remake, but with two cyborgs), some sequels send the same characters into another adventure (Bill and Ted go to Heaven and Hell, Toy Story 2 focused on a Woody rescue, Superman fought super-villains, Batman fought different enemies), and some sequels clearly begin to forge a trilogy/saga (X-Men II, Aliens, etc.)

There's usually no denying that most sequels are worse, and rarely better than the original: Back To The Future Part II (too convoluted), The Lost World: Jurassic Park (an excuse for visuals), Ghostbusters II (weak story), Die Hard 2 (formulaic), Robocop 2 (too sadistic), Men In Black II (too similar), Predator 2 (too numbing), Speed 2 (boring), Scary Movie 2 (not scary... or funny), Airplane II (too recycled), Tomb Raider 2 (poor), 2010 (dumb), Ace Ventura 2 (unfunny), etc.

But perhaps it's time to reassess the situation. Nobody expects sequels to be better, so we're pleasantly surprised when they're at least entertaining. For all their obvious faults, I'd still say The Lost World, Die Hard 2, Predator 2 and RoboCop 2 entertained me, for example... and therefore they aren't the travesties they're often considered.

Recently, the trend in film has been for trilogies or prequels. George Lucas has a lot to answer for! Some movies even go beyond trilogies into full-blown sagas of 4 or more films! How have these movies fared? If a single sequel struggles to earn its worth, what about Part III's and IV's?

Strangely, the pedigree for "threequels" is better than sequels! Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King is many peoples' favourite in the trilogy, The Matrix Revolutions is preferred over part 2 by many people, likewise Jurassic Park III, Star Wars: The Return Of The Jedi is fondly remembered, Back To The Future Part III was entertaining, A Nightmare On Elm Street 3 improvement on 2, Lethal Weapon 3 is pretty good, Alien 3 continues to gain respect in light of the trite fourth chapter, Die Hard With A Vengeance is better than Die Hard 2, Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade is a fine adventure in the same vein as Raiders, Austin Powers In Goldmember is better than Spy Who Shagged Me, Terminator 3 wasn’t the expected turkey it could have been, Dawn Of The Dead is considered the best of Romero's zombie saga, and I'm sure Spider-Man 3 and Pirates Of The Caribbean 3 will both be pretty decent movies next year, too...

Mind you, we’re forgetting Batman Forever, Scream 3, Superman III, Star Trek III, RoboCop 3, The Godfather Part III, X-Men III, Karate Kid Part 3, Beverly Hills Cop III, Omen: The Final Conflict, Police Academy 3, Home Alone 3, Jaws 3D, Friday The 13th Part III, etc.

Things definitely turn murky for Part IV's. Jaws: The Revenge, Alien Resurrection, Police Academy 4, Superman IV, Lethal Weapon 4, Batman & Robin, The Next Karate Kid... ahem. Yes, best to leave sequels alone the third part... although Star Trek IV offers a glimmer of hope for franchise-makers...

So I guess the jury's still out! But I don't think you can write off sequels on principle these days (especially Part III's it would seem!) Movies are increasingly being made as multi-part money-spinners, thanks to Star Wars and Lord Of The Rings. And, provided the premise is strong enough, lightning can strike the same place twice (just maybe not as strongly as the first time...)