nor do other 'franchises'
Before I even get started writing about sequels, does anyone really remember The Goonies? Could you and did you ever watch it over and over again? If you've answered 'yes' then this next question is for you in mind. Did you see LOTR:The Return of The King? Do you remember the orc? The one who stands still when the huge boulder is coming down at the orc army and he commands the others to stay where they are, and nearly gets smushed by it? Didn't he bear a striking resembalance to Sloth if he survived a nuclear incident?
Now that that's done with...
I love movies. I love sequels, the good and the bad. Even though most all of them are done for purely profitable reasons, some of them are also done out of love for the original. I've got a list of movies that I am interested in seeing, although some of them won't be coming anytime soon. I am still anxiously awaiting, however. Here's a partial list, and some comments about them.
2004
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I missed most of the book craze, but once I got turned onto the books, my interest in the movies developed, after seeing that the first one was pretty true to the novel. This one is going to be good if only on the basis of having Gary Oldman in the movie. Plus, I'm really interested in seeing what a new director brings to the film.
- Shrek 2 and Spiderman 2. The first Shrek was good. I got a promo cd in a cereal box for the upcoming movie and it intrigued me. If they can keep the humor going, I'm all for it. If you disagree, eat me. Spiderman 2 I will see, only because I lust after Tobey McGuire. Sure he's young, but geek doesn't get any better. Yes, I prefer Peter Parker over the webslinger anyday.
2005
- Batman Begins. I love Christian Bale. I'm intrigued to see what he does with Bruce Wayne and Batman. Can he pull it off, or will it be a bomb? Batman sequels, particularly with ones that include Arnie, aren't all that great.
- Star Wars Ep. III. I'm not holding my breath, but a movie with Ewan McGregor, Samuel L Jackson, and Natalie Portman will have me buying a ticket. Notice I left someone out? I don't blame him, but they could have done much more with the character.
2006
- Pirates of The Carribean 2 and X-Men 3. I don't know what will be better, but both will surely be entertaining. I'm hoping for more spectacular swordfighting in the former, and more IceMan, Wolverine and Cyclops in the latter. Bring on Pyro and definitely Magneto, Mystique, Xavier and Rouge, but I wouldn't be disappointed if Jean Grey or Storm fails to make an appearance. Nightcrawler? Only if he and Mystique get to interact more.
2007
- Spiderman 3 and The Hobbit. Both are so tenative that it's hard to even make a guess what the films would be like. I'd be enthused if original directors and production crew return. Not to mention certain actors from the movies that spawned these ideas.
????
- The Goonies: Goonies Never Say Die. Hard to say what this would be like. MTV stated in 2003 that the movie was definitely in the works with Richard Donner helming the crew. Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris were also stated as being involved in the writing of the script. According to IMDB though, there is no official word at all about the current status of the movie. Possible script involves the return of the original Goonies and a new crew of kids, one group saving the other in another Goonie adventure. Who knows?
Sequels I don't want to see? League of Extraordinary Gentlemen 2, and Gladiator 2 (2006). First one was just a bad movie, Gladiator 2 will probably only have Russell Crowe involved either as flashback material or cameo role. I don't even remember who else was in the movie besides Djimon Honsou (who is great, but doesn't need this movie to get him any further) and Joaquin Phoenix. Phoenix is another good actor but certainly would be hard to fit in the film considering his last scene in the first one.
And the countdowns begin....