SEQUELS

Posted by JOpinionated on September 10, 2005 in Film | 0 comments

A friend alerted me to the fact that there is another Police Academy movie in the works. I wish I could say I was surprised, but with potty humor making a comeback over the last few years (Team America: World Police and most Will Ferrell/Ben Stiller/Vince Vaughn movies), perhaps the new Police Academy will find an audience with that coveted younger male demographic. Of course there will be PA fan clubs coming out of the woodworks; those who actually sat through and can quote the first 7 of them. Hugh Wilson, who directed the first PA in 1984, is slated to helm the new one as well. In between PA 1 and PA 8, Wilson directed some real stinkers, the only exception being The First Wives Club.

Although I’m sure plenty of film buffs will disagree, I believe there are only 3 fantastic movie sequels: The Godfather II, Kill Bill II and The Matrix Reloaded. These films are each great on their own, superior to the others in their series. My favorite trilogies include Star Wars (the original three), The Lord of the Rings, Superman and even Austin Powers, but I prefer the first in each of these trilogies to any of their sequels. And then there are the surprise hits, movies like American Pie or Legally Blonde that perform way beyond studio expectations, resulting in quick and disappointing sequels. Did we really need a second Cannonball Run or Oh, God! I’d also like to throw all sequels to Beverly Hills Cop, City Slickers, Home Alone, The Karate Kid, and Lethal Weapon into that disregard pile.