Why Do Sequals Often Fail to Meet Expectations

The phenomenon of sequals - especially those that fail to live up to the original - has puzzled many. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this, drawing from both the philosophical underpinnings and practical insights. We will delve into a few examples to further illustrate these points.

Understanding the Need for Sequels

The reasons for making sequals can vary widely. Some may be financial, driven by the desire to recoup investments from successful original films. Others involve creative desires, such as a filmmaker gaining studio backing and having to navigate unwelcome creative restrictions. Sometimes, the sequal arrives too late, and initial impressions and audiences have evolved.

Financial Motivations

One common reason for sequals being made is financial. For example, the film Now You See Me 2 earned a reputation for being significantly worse than its predecessor. This can happen when studios, without creative passion, focus on cashing in on proven successes.

Another example is Kevin Smith’s Mallrats. An auteur who was previously independent now finds themselves under the watchful eye of studio demands and rules, which can stifle their creative spirit.

Philosophical Insights

The question of why people feel the need to ruin amazing movies with terrible sequals can be tackled from a philosophical perspective. As Hanlon's Razor states, never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity. This principle suggests that creators of sequals are not intentionally trying to ruin the original works but are instead hampered by a lack of understanding or experience.

Many people bother to create sequals because they believe they can add value to the original storyline or characters. However, they often misunderstand what made the original special, leading to inferior sequels.

Character and Plot Dynamics

Another reason for the poor reception of sequals is the handling of characters and plots. Sequels are often more about perpetuating the story than fully realizing the original’s plot. For instance, films like The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride failed to match the charm and magic of the first film because they tried to retell the same story. Instead, it was a character-driven story like Monsters Inc. where new situations and character interactions can add to the story.

Understanding the Original’s Appeal

The success of the original film often lies in its plot and story rather than its characters. Sequals that focus too heavily on the same plot and characters fail to satisfy audiences because the original's uniqueness cannot be replicated. This is evident in films such as Incredibles 2 and Frozen 2, which are compelling but cannot compare to their predecessors due to the unique charm and story of the original.

Examples of Poor Sequals

Pirates of the Caribbean franchise provides an example of a sequal that deviated too much from its characters. The idea behind the black pearl and the iconic character Jack Sparrow made the first film special. However, subsequent films placed Jack too much in the center, diminishing his impact and overall appeal. This resulted in a degeneration of the film's quality and the audience's interest.

The Matrix trilogy also provides a case study. The original film was revolutionary due to its philosophical and conceptual framework. The sequels, however, focused too much on making the premise bizarre and abstract, diluting the original’s core appeal for more concept-driven storytelling rather than philosophical musings. This change in focus led to disappointed audiences and arguably lower-quality sequals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sequals often fail to meet the high expectations set by their predecessors due to several factors, including financial motivations, creative restrictions, and misinterpretations of the original's appeal. These sequals might fall short of audience expectations but are a result of a failure to understand what made the original film special. Ultimately, creators should focus more on maintaining the unique elements that defined the first film while respecting the nature of storytelling.