Why Certain Sequels Ruined Their Franchises: The Case of 'The Force Awakens'

Sequels are often celebrated for bringing back beloved characters and stories. But sometimes, despite good intentions, a sequel can be so detrimental that it kills the franchise altogether. This article explores two prime examples: The Force Awakens and Highlander 2. Both films are analyzed to understand how they devalued their parent franchises.

The Force Awakens: A Major Downfall for Star Wars?

Star Wars, a beloved franchise with a dedicated fanbase, saw its first post-valuation movie, The Force Awakens, become a controversial entry. Many fans, including myself, found it to be a significant decline from the original series. This film unfairly criticized the franchise's foundations and characters, leading to a polarizing reaction among Star Wars enthusiasts.

The movie's opening crawl for Luke Skywalker set a somber tone that contradicted the enthusiasm of the original series. The portrayal of Han Solo and Lady Leia similarly disappointed, as their characters were depicted in ways that challenged the established public perception of them. Their backstories and motivations were altered in ways that felt inauthentic and disrespectful.

The The Force Awakens presents a disheartening proposition: if this is how new content is being created, the franchise is in for a rough ride. The film is criticized for its poor writing, character development, and overall lack of continuity. This is not the Star Wars fans desire, which focuses on epic storytelling, character growth, and detailed world-building.

Many argue that the movie's stray from the established Star Wars universe diminished its value. The beloved elements of the franchise, such as the Millennium Falcon and the epic battles against the Emperor, were either omitted or significantly altered. These changes made the film feel hollow, as if it were an insult to the core values and elements that fans hold dear.

In the end, The Force Awakens not only failed to improve the franchise but also made it seem pointless. Despite MARVEL's apparent success, viewers like myself question the relevance of The Force Awakens.

Highlander 2: A Sequel That Overshot the Target

The transformation of Highlander from an entertaining fantasy adventure to a bad science fiction sequel is a prime example of how a franchise can collapse due to a poorly executed sequel. The original 1986 film, a campy yet engaging fantasy, was about immortal warriors clashing in epic sword fights. It was an entertaining experience for viewers.

However, the 1991 sequel, Highlander II: The Quickening, radically changed the formula. Not only did it disappoint, but it also achieved a Rotten Tomatoes score of 0%. The movie introduced a nonsensical plot and underdeveloped characters, which left audiences perplexed and dissatisfied.

The sequel's poor execution led to a retcon (retroactive continuity), where the third film attempted to undo the second's narrative and existence. The second movie simply disappeared from continuity, forcing fans to pretend that it had never happened. This illustrates that sometimes, a poorly received sequel can overshadow the brilliance of its predecessors, leading to a franchise-wide disappointment.

Lessons Learned from Desperate Sequels

These two franchises serve as cautionary tales for filmmakers and franchises alike. They demonstrate the importance of maintaining the core values and character integrity of a beloved series. When sequels stray from these fundamental elements, they can alienate fans and diminish the overall franchise appeal.

Ultimately, the success of a franchise is intertwined with the quality and consistency of its individual installments. Fans of Star Wars and Highlander will remember the glory of their original parts, and the failures of their sequels will serve as reminders to cherish and respect the franchise legacy.

As the entertainment industry continues to churn out sequels and spin-offs, the lessons learned from these unfortunate cases are a crucial reminder to prioritize authentic storytelling and character development over money and commercial success.