So I guess the whole of S’pore (and the world, for that matter) is eagerly awaiting the third installment of the wildly successful “Pirates” movie franchise, namely “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” .

(Incidentally, I’ve got to tell you that the “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride at Disneyland remains my FAVOURITE Disneyland ride of all time. It’s just the greatest experience. If ever you go to Tokyo Disneyland or something, be sure to try that ride out. It’s a must.)

There was a cover story in Life! today mainly about POTC:AWE (that’s the short form I’m gonna use), and I actually thought the article was very well-written.

It explored the current phenomenon of blockbuster movies being mostly sequels. To name a few: POTC:AWE, Shrek 3, Ocean’s Thirteen, Spider-Man 3, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Why is this so? 

One of the very valid points it raised was that sequels were much easier to market, as it already had a built-in fan base. Indeed, I think it’s very true.

It’s much easier (and safer) to launch a high-budget sequel of a proven hit than to spend big bucks on a brand new movie which nobody is familiar with. (It’s just like bringing in Phantom of the Opera, Mama Mia!, or The King and I to the Esplanade – It’s a much safer bet than to stage a brand new musical which no one has heard of, regardless of how good it might be.)

Also, when it comes to sequels, everyone is already familiar with the setting, the storyline, and the cast…and there is already the emotional attachment firmly built in place. And if the first installment was any good, people would always be dying to see more of their heroes in the sequels, cos they just can’t get enough of it.

At the end of the day, sequels are simply a much safer financial proposition.

…

I don’t really like sequels.

I, and I believe many others as well, subscribe to the belief that “the sequels are always lousier than the original installment.”

There are, of course, always exceptions to everything…but these are few and far between.

I can think of only a few exceptions: Shrek 2 was pretty good. I dare say it was better than Shrek 1. Back to the Future 2 & 3 (I’m going way back into the past here…these are really old movies) were fantastic. Sequels 2& 3 actually added A LOT more value to the “Back to the Future” franchise, which is something all sequels should do.

Sadly, 99% of the sequels I’ve watched fail to meet expectations.

Let’s take Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest for example (a.k.a. Pirates 2).

I was thoroughly disappointed with it.

The storyline was too complex for it’s own good. Half the time, I was asking “what in the world is going on here?!?”And it was too dark for my liking too. (Why do storylines always have to take such a dark slant as they develop? The same thing happened to the “Harry Potter” series as well, I believe.)

But yeah, POTC:DMC was just too complicating, too sinister, and too superficial for my liking. It had all the makings of a “this-sequel-was-made-simply-to-milk-the-cash-cow” kind of feel to it.

The only good scene in the movie was when they tried to escape from the island (y’know, the one with the huge spinning wheel and all that). That was entertaining.

I’ve got a feeling POTC:AWE (i.e. Pirates 3) is gonna be as dark and incomprehensible as POTC:DMC (i.e. Pirates 2) was.

Which is a huge pity really, cos I really really liked the original Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Maybe they should have just stopped there (but then they wouldn’t have made so much more money.)

But what do I know? I’m not even a frequent movie-goer.

…

To me, POTC:DMC (and many other movie sequels, for that matter) are just like roller coasters – You buy a ticket to go on a ride. Sure, it’s exhilarating during the ride, but that’s about it. It’s just a mindless thrill ride for that particular moment.

I’d rather a movie be like a good meal – You’re constantly analysing what you’re consuming with a discerning palette, and you’re constantly thinking and reacting to the various sensations which the meal is presenting to you. And after the meal, you still need a bit of time to fully digest what you’ve consumed to fully appreciate the whole experience. It should be an engaging process.

And oh by the way, Ocean’s Twelve was HORRIBLE too! A very far cry from the classic that Ocean’s Eleven was. Really. I was totally disappointed with Ocean’s Twelve. (I hope Ocean’s Thirteen isn’t just as bad…but it’s hard to tell with these things.)