2007: The Year Of Sequels
It is a fact that most sequels to “big hits” do not live up to the inventive nature and ingenious approach of the original. Most of the source material is still present with the original actors in tow in most cases, but some how the movie ends up failing due to bad execution as was the case with “The Matrix” movies. Even though those films made lots and lots of money the sequels fell flat with super fans. The studios greed usually causes movies to feel rushed and treats the characters in a way that betrays the viewers loyalty. For example, the movies that have followed the “Silence Of The Lambs” are a shameful representation of the horror classic that swept the Oscar’s in the early 90’s. In the end Hollywood only cares about the bottom line, if it makes money than make more and more.
Some sequels are made even though no one really asks for them. Some movies don’t even need sequels because the original was barely worth viewing to begin with (”Basic Instinct”). For some odd reason Hollywood will make sequels to movies that are just plain questionable (”Son Of The Mask”). Now I would have said the same for “Rocky Balboa” 6 months ago but that movie was a small hit this past winter. Now we get to look forward to another “Rambo”, and that is not a joke.
Most movie franchises usually come from the Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Animation and Super Hero genres which are very lucrative for studios like the “X-Men”, “Shrek”, “Harry Potter”, “Star Wars” movie’s. The “Star Wars” and “X-Men” series obviously got worse as the franchise progressed and people felt cheated. The “Harry Potter” series has been very loyal and has kept it’s charm with age as has the “Toy Story” films.
In the works are film follow ups to succesful and beloved movies such as “Indiana Jones 4″, “The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe: Prince Caspian”, “Toy Story 3″, “Terminator 4″, “The Lost Boys 2″, “The Goonies 2″…and there are more and more in the works as we speak. Plus with the surge of “prequels” in Hollywood there is now even more opportunity to mess with fan favorites and well established classics.
We may never understand why studios do what they do but I tend to enjoy the variety of movies that come out each summer. This year has a plethora of films that will satisfy any movie geek. I am very excited for “Shrek 3″ and any of the many horror movie follow ups (”Hostel 2″, “28 Days After”) that are on the horizon. I have listed the line up of movie sequels that are planned for us this coming summer. There are many strange surprises (”Die Hard”, “Resident Evil”) and some highly anticipated movies I cannot wait to see (”The Golden Age”).
Are We Done Yet?
The Hills Have Eyes 2
Hannibal Rising
Spiderman 3
28 Days After
Shrek The Third
Pirates Of The Caribbean: At The Worlds End
Hostel 2
Ocean’s Thirteen
Fantastic 4: Rise Of The Silver Surfer
Evan Almighty
Live Free Or Die Hard
Harry Potter & The Order Of The Phoenix
The Bourne Ultimatum
Rush Hour 3
Resident Evil: Extinction
Saw 4
Mr. Beans Holiday
Harold & Kumar Go To Amsterdam
Sin City 2
National Treasure 2
Alien Vs. Predator 2
The Golden Age (Elizabeth 2)
February 7th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
I can’t wait to see Shrek 3, Spiderman 3, Pirates of the Caribbean, and of course dear Harry Potter. Even if this year is the year of the sequel, when some of them are this good, I’m not too bothered.
February 7th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
My must see list is topped by Harry Potter and Pirates! Although I am a big sequal junkie so I will probably see most of them
February 8th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
i really hate when movies, especially good ones, come out with really crappy sequals. it ruines the experience of the first one and somehow still becomes popular enough to be seen everywhere.