Isn’t it nice to watch a film and then craving more, you’re given a sequel. But don’t you love it even more when you get another sequel, then another and another until its Transformers 9: Optimus Prime visits Sea World? Are you sick of endless sequels which are nothing more than cash cows? Maybe not but I do have to ask, how many films is enough in a series? Do we really need a seventh Fast and Furious or a fifth Transformers film? Why not give us something new instead of a bad sequel.
I find that Highlander’s catch phrase “There can be only one” sums it up best. Or as I say “There should only be one”. It seems nowadays when someone has a winning concept and a formula to make a successful film, the best thing to do is run with it, rehash and repeat until we’re sick of it. But why is this? It’s a little known fact that producers and creative minds are content on entertaining us while making as much money as humanly possible. It’s understandable as to create a film concept it takes time, effort and money and even after all that it’s not guaranteed to succeed. It wouldn’t be the smartest thing to give up something that’s popular and where the fans are willing to pay in order to see more.
But when endless sequels come along that don’t challenge you any more nor are they creative it soon becomes a problem. After some time the sequel’s usually get lazier and often feel stale and over used. You expect a dynamic change to heighten the experience but instead get the same old action; story and drama as before, much like Transformers have done for the past three films. If it merely adds some cosmetic glitter then why not just watch the original or another film that might be slightly better.
The reason for so many sequels being awful is how they’re rushed out the door too soon. Producers are often confident that fans will make the sequel a success much like its predecessor and buy into the series more than ever, even if it’s a complete pile of crap. A recent example would be the new Teenage Ninja Turtles movie. It’s been confirmed a sequel, after one weekend at the box office and before it’s even released to the rest of the world. This may seem kind of quick but what gives them a reason not too? The kids will go and see it and of course the parents are paying for the sequel to be made along with crazy girlfriends who are mega Turtle fans. It would be foolish to not continue but it’s even more degrading to plan ahead so quickly.
Many years ago, when a film was successful you most likely wouldn’t get a sequel unless it was ten years later. Terminator, Aliens, Escape from New, Mad Max and Highlander all had long periods between the movies being made. There was no rush for the sequels and mostly because the directors, producers and who ever wanted to take time to ensure a thought provoking and passionate film along with a chance of success. Well most of the time, not with Highlander sadly. Even if it didn’t work you could still see there was care and consideration put into the film. Even if Alien 3 was bad you could see it was made with good intentions.
Now because most films follow a similar formula as each other, this usually draws in the masses and keeps the fans egger. Look at Transformers or Fast and Furious. These films don’t change much in their structure or storytelling and keep the fans coming. That’s also the big reason, the fans.
You are the problem. For example, everyone whose seen or paid for a Michael Bay film like Transformers is helping him and the studio to create even more awful movies. You are partly responsible. It’s the fans who make these films a success, as they crave the Transformers or the Fast and Furious action. This could be to see if the films improve with each installment with their undying loyalty for a better film or most people just have terrible tastes in movies.
Sequels are now the method of making easy money causing us to literally pay the price. We pay to see awful movie after awful movie and why is that? We allow these films and their sequels to be made and of course we pay to see it, making money for those who lack creativity and any respect for us as people. It’s offensive to just offer the same old stuff again and again and make us pay for it. Usually this starts off with a creative project in the beginning that offers something challenging to the audience, even Transformers offered something new and engaging once. The Lego movie was an average affair until the end that offered a truly heartfelt and cleaver way of connection between observer and media. But now another three Lego movies will be made and what will they offer? They can’t offer the same touching experience can they? Maybe they can, or most likely they will do the same nonsense as before just without the great thought behind it.
You might as well see Michael Bay do a Transformer puppet show and I bet you anything, there will be millions willing to pay and see it.