subject: Do Animation Sequels Work? [print this page] Im pretty sure you are probably a sucker for a great animated film like I am. But when is enough, enough? Do we really need three or four sequels to a cartoon before it becomes redundant and silly, losing all the meaning that the first movie had intended you to take from it?
One that has two sequels is The Lion King. You have the outstanding original movie with a great message and amazing soundtrack. Then, you got to see The Lion King 2: Simbas Pride where Simba is a grown up and courting a lioness that comes from the outsiders. Nothing great here, not real substantial. Where the first movie was more of the Hamlet type, this one was more Romeo and Juliet. So did you get tired of the lions after two movies of them? Well, Disney decided to make a movie that centered around Timon and Pumbaa. There you have Lion King 1 , a parallel to the original. Although it is funny, it isnt anywhere the classic of the first. The latter two only made it to video, never in the box offices. I just dont think that the sequels worked for this film.
Another big film that keeps pumping out the next episode is Ice Age. I mildly enjoyed the first one, tolerated the second. So I havent seen that one yet. Im not so sure I will. My mind craves something fresh and new, not the same thing again and again. However, unlike the Lion King, these movies stay in the box office and continue to bring kids into the theater and improving sales. I suppose for an animated show, plot doesnt always have to be anything great as long as it is written funny and the images capture the interest of the kids. Sequels seem to be working for this group because the second one made more than the first and the third is on track to do great things.
And then we have Monsters, Inc.. A very heartwarming story addressing many peoples fears on what waits for them in the closet. I enjoyed the first story immensely. It wasnt my favorite, but I liked it. I just dont know how I feel about another one. Why mess with such a good thing? This upcoming cartoon is set to release in June of 2013. Of course, the word is out and the kids are counting down. But it doesnt make much sense to me. But, on the other hand, it could turn out to be the best one yet!
There are others to talk about, but you get my drift. I simply feel that it is best to leave one idea alone in its success and not try to create even more with a second. Be original and create something new. But being how kids are so loyal to their favorites, I am sure that the sequels will never stop. There are cases of great ones! I only think that many names are worn out after more than one. We will see what Monsters, Inc. does when it opens, but Ice Age is just one among the few that do well consecutively.
