Rami Ungar The Writer

I was watching Marvel’s The Avengers last night (review to come after this post), and I started thinking about how sequels have become such a part of the movie industry. Every horror and sci-fi movie is made with the possibility that there will be a sequel should the film be successful. It seemed that once upon a time, filmmakers made a film just hoping people would like it and see it. Now, it’s all about “how much money can we make off of this, especially if we make another film or seven?” Heck, when Bridesmaids came out and Kristen Wiig said she didn’t want to do a sequel, filmmakers called her “ungrateful”, while the rest of the world applauded her for not making the same mistake as the makers of The Hangover! You see how bad it is!

Some of the worst culprits are horror movies, which always seem to have a part 2 or 3 or 67. Of course there are dramas and comedies that make a few sequels, typically just two for a nice little trilogy, but thankfully the number of movies that do this are small. And of course, you got your action films like The Expendables which get sequels because the filmmakers are banking on making money off the big names in the film.

Of course, I do believe there are some films that should get sequels. Movies that are based on book series such as Harry Potter or The Hunger Games make great franchises, and as long as they don’t change too much, shove too much in, or don’t divide too many books into two separate films, people will mostly stay happy. Other films are good enough that a sequel is warranted, such as The Matrix or Star Wars. And a few just bring delight, no matter who watches them (I’m thinking kiddie films like Shrek, Madagascar and Alvin and the Chipmunks).

However, there are several film series that should never have had sequels, and I can name a reason or two for each of them. I’d rather not, so I’ll just leave you with this: is it more important to make a film that people will enjoy, or a film that will generate lots of capital and sequels that will bring even more capital? You tell me.