Over the past week, various students were interviewed and asked questions in regard to the sequel films that will be released in the coming years in animation and live action. Over the past few months, people expressed their differing views on this topic online. The conversation has now hit campus.
Sequels are made to build upon a previously established storyline. The storyline, at its core, is the heart of the film and if it is trampled by a sequel, it can have a severe impact on the franchise overall. With new movies coming out, there are differing opinions on what these films mean for the story.
“I feel like if the movie ended on something like, for example, “To be continued”, or “coming soon” we can use another one,” sophomore Kendall Williams said. “If they completed the story already, they should still stop it.”
However, some people have opinions unlike those who see the optimism in new films, finding sequels unnecessary and do not add to the story that has been told previously.
“I feel like it depends,” junior Julio Huato-Cueves said. “It depends on the movie. Sometimes it can be a good thing, or it can impact it negatively. A lot of times it’s negative.”
Regardless, the love one feels for the story is not always impacted by the sequels, but rather by their individual experiences. It is through one’s own love that they can choose what the sequels mean for them.
“How to Train your Dragon 2,” sophomore Aiden Elliot said. “I thought it was really cool how they explained the story. It was just more expansive.”
With varying opinions of sequels overall, the connection to the story is also put into the debate. When it comes to the films, the question becomes if sequels positively or negatively impact the stories people have grown to love.
“I feel like sometimes, but sometimes not,” Williams said. “Sometimes it adds to the story in a good way. And sometimes it’s like they didn’t need to do that.”
In the coming years, how people are going to react to sequels is also affected by if they even watch other sequels in the first place. Previous opinions and reactions of others can shape people’s viewpoints without even realizing it.
“I know not many people like to watch sequels, because they think it’s gonna mess up the first movie,” Williams said.
Neutral opinions of the films are always bound to exist, and that plays a role in the overall opinions of these projects. Being indifferent is just as impactful as a strong positive or negative opinion.
“I don’t have time and am not interested in [the sequels],” Huato-Cueves said.
Regardless, the sequels coming out still peak the interest of many people, which is the ultimate goal of those working on the films.The movies people grew up watching are being readapted for the next generation, and perhaps it’s their turn to enjoy the stories the original audience holds near and dear to their hearts.
“I do plan on [watching the sequels] because I really like the movie a lot,” Williams said. “And to be honest, after I watched it, I was like, oh, I want to see more. And so, I plan on watching that.”
