Sequel Month - Editorial - What makes a good sequel?

Yeah, I know this was supposed to be a Doctor Who review but I was kinda busy so I'm just chucking something together to get something out in the morning

It's sequel month

And whilst the Nostalgia Critic asked why sequels are bad, I'm going to go against type and ask a different question, what makes a sequel good? Because this is rushed, I'm going to talk mostly about this in general rather than referring to lots of examples.

Living up to a good movie is not easy, neither is trying to improve on a bad but successful movie, which is why a lot of sequels end up mediocre or just terrible. But there is an occasional gem and with sequels coming out of the woodwork as it becomes ever more apparent Hollywood is running out of ideas, here's how sequels can be good.

1. Understand what made the original work

There is usually something, outside of the plot usually, that stuck in people's memories about the movie. Whether it be memorable, funny or well-rounded characters, a striking visual design, cool music, sound or vocal work, well covered themes or messages, a style of humour or horror, world building, memorable or funny performances or just a sense of naivety or innocence, these elements must be included in the sequel.

2. Understand any flaws or problems in the original

No movie is flawless. If you don't believe me look up any movie you like on Honest Trailers or Cinema Sins, they'd find something to nitpick. Having flaws is not necessarily a bad thing, if you're still immersed in the characters, world and story. But a sequel should try and improve on the original, even if it isn't successful. Knowing what flaws audiences found with the movie can help there, particularly if they're widely agreed upon as flaws.

3. Keep it familiar, but cover new ground

Here's perhaps the toughest rule to follow. It still needs to feel like it's part of the same franchise, but it also needs to do something new. Whether is be new designs, locations, parts of the soundtrack, updated effects and of course a new story, something new needs to come out of it, but it can't stray too far from the original

4. Be unpredictable

This is important. It's incredibly easy, especially if a Franchise has already had sequels for the formula to start to wear in and for the sequel to become predictable, even if it covers new ground with regards to storytelling. Shaking up the formula slightly with new characters, new motivations, new objectives, even a twist of some sort can help make things feel fresh and new.

5. Don't get cocky

You see a lot of sequels decide to set up future movies rather than be focused on its own story. Don't assume you're going to get another sequel. It's fine to leave some loose ends and unanswered questions but don't get yourself bogged down in trying to set up plot threads for the next movie. Even if you're pretty certain that a sequel will happen, it won't land favourably with audiences.

6. (And really this should be first but the order is arbitrary) have an idea

This may sound really obvious but a sequel shouldn't be made just because the original was popular, this leads to blatant rehashes which no-one really wants to see. Have a look at any loose threads from the previous movie and figure out how to expand upon them, or have an idea for where the journey in the first film can go next. If you can't figure out anything it's a good chance the movie doesn't need a sequel and should be left alone. You hear that DISNEY?!

7. Recognise when burnout is hit

A lot of long-lasting franchises do hit burnout, when audiences have had enough and it's time to let the franchise go. It's not just as a movie though, the writers, actors and directors amongst other film crew need to be allowed to do something else from time to time else they'll tire and the quality will slip.

These are my 7, there are plenty more and if you have others, be sure to comment about it.