2013 seems to be the year for sequels. I mean, come on – not only is the ever-popular “Hunger Games” sequel, “Catching Fire”, coming out this fall, which is possibly one of the most anticipated sequels of the year, but we’ve also got everything from the “Smurfs 2” movie to "Star Trek: Into Darkness.” There are also sequels to series such as the “Twilight” saga. Barely a year after the saga concluded with “Breaking Dawn: Part 2”, critically-acclaimed author Stephanie Meyer will be premiering the film-version of her next fantasy book, “The Host,” which takes a turn from the vampire/werewolf obsession and dips audiences into a new alien obsession.
Then, there are the movie with a never-ending line of sequels. For example: “The Fast and the Furious.” Who knew the car-for-brains movie that attracted both men and women would end up on its sixth movie in 2013 and still manage to have the same stars in it? Because, let’s face it, sequels that keep changing actors just end up – for lack of a better word – sucking. Well, gear-up because Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson are back this summer for the sixth edition in the series with the oh-so-originally-titled “Fast and Furious 6.”
Then, there’s “Paranormal Activity 5.” How much more can really be done with these supernatural skin-crawlers before people start wondering what will happen if they start keeping cameras around the house at night? Maybe a paranormal entity is haunting their house as well? (Spoiler Alert: There isn’t.)
And then there are the movies that just stay as they are and absolutely no one understands why a sequel is being made. For instance, “The Hangover: Part III.” Really? Or “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2.” Again, really? There are some movies that are just meant to be left alone. Rumors have been going around about the “Avatar” sequel – word is there’s going to be one. James Cameron – stop while you’re ahead. Great movie. Don’t ruin it.
When did the movie industry start producing only sequels? It is so rare that a great, original film is made. When there is one, we fawn over it as much as we fawn over our favorite actors or actresses. “Les Misérables” was a movie unlike any other. Because it was based off a novel and play, it could be argued that the story isn’t original, and it isn’t. But looking at the filming and the outcome, when all songs were sung live and the actors were given freedom to do what they wanted to do with their voices, that is a fresh and groundbreaking occurrence, one that amazed viewers. I love that movie because of its originality and the heart- wrenching story.
We’ve come to the point where we even combine five films at once to make one great one – and then we have to go and make more sequels to those. Anyone get what I’m talking about? That’s right, “The Avengers.” Possibly one of the best superhero movies created – maybe because it has so many in one two hour movie. But these movies, “Captain America,” “Thor,” “Iron Man,” “The Hulk,” have all gotten to the point where we need to make another one of them before the industry can create a second “Avengers” (which I am hesitant about already). Thus creating four new sequels, adding on to the already long list of ones coming out.
Maybe it’s just me, but I miss the days when movies were based on original and new ideas; ones that shocked the audiences and thrilled them because they were new. Now, it seems that we can only come up with twists on prequels. “Avatar” is a great example of a movie that should just be left alone. It was fresh and new and had different qualities to it than many movies do nowadays. It was able to mix action with romance with sadness and fantasy and reality all at once. The idea of inhabiting another planet in many years doesn’t seem so far from the truth.
So, I went ahead and polled some of my Longwood peers and asked them what sequels they were most looking forward to this year. The list included all of the ones I’ve stated above and also “The Last Exorcism: Part 2,” “A Good Day to Die Hard,” “Anchorman 2,” “The Wolverine,” “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” and “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.” So maybe you’re looking forward to some of these others and if so, let’s hope they improve the original – and don’t make us hate the world for creating the sequel. Longwood’s Most Anticipated Sequels:
“Star Trek: Into Darkness” “Catching Fire” “Thor 2: The Dark World”
*** This editorial is an opinion stated by the writer and does not represent the views of The Rotunda or Longwood University.
