Editor’s Note: This article was written for Mosaic, an independent journalism training program for high school students who report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.
That marvelous feeling of being in a dark movie theater, sipping a cold soda and blanketed by the aroma of popcorn makes viewers love a movie. It’s that same whimsical feeling that is destroyed when your favorite movies are followed by bad sequels. Sequels can sometimes be good but are generally wastes of time.
Sequels are like an underperforming younger sibling who can never measure up to the older sibling, who is always the parents’ favorite. You can guess who is who in Hollywood.
Original movies come out stronger, with fresh new perspectives, characters and story lines. Bad sequels often downplay or disrespect themes or messages.
What makes for a good or bad movie sequel?
Ratings, lifetime gross revenue and critical acclaim play key roles in judging a good movie. Comparing the original and its follow-up with these criteria is central to judging sequels.
Here are five of my picks where the originals come out on top:
1. “The Karate Kid” (1984) is a timeless classic. The newest rendition, “Karate Kid Legends,” released in May, is best when it pushes the buttons of the original. Otherwise, it merely harps on the nostalgia. That’s not enough.
2. “Jurassic Park” (1993) is considered outstanding and emotionally gripping to this day because it was scientifically logical, a real possibility to ponder. The blockbuster’s sequel, trequel and eventual reboot with Chris Pratt became increasingly farfetched and unrealistic. For example, humongous locusts setting things on fire were completely ridiculous. At this point I think the dinosaurs are tired of carrying the movies.
3. “Space Jam” (1996), starring the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan, became a pop culture staple. In 2021, the sequel, “Space Jam: A New Legacy” with Lebron James, insulted the original and would have performed better as a short, cute homage video, not a 145-minute film.
4. I’m a dedicated fan of Marvel’s 2008’s “Iron Man.” The sequel, “Iron Man 2” in 2010, broke my heart. Like my heart, the storyline of the second movie was broken and all over the place. The movie seemed rushed, lowering the villain’s impact, a prime example of how sequels disappoint excited fans like me.
5. In 2012’s “Wreck-It Ralph,” where the story follows the character development of a bad guy turned good, Ralph finds himself and the things that truly matter in life. The original became a heart-tugging fan favorite. But “Wreck-It Ralph Breaks the Internet” fails entirely to highlight these themes.
Related Articles
Cuts to science grants force San Jose researchers, student to scramble
Making hoops affordable: Don’t let the duct-taped jerseys fool you
Bay Area Sikhs seeking mental health aid battle ‘weakness’ stigma
High-traffic boulevard raises concerns in three South Bay cities
Santa Clara cafe combines cats, coffee and Korean culture
I have to admit some movie sequels do a great job, but still show the same weaknesses, like these three:
1. “Shrek 2” in 2004 was more entertaining than the original in 2001. With a wider array of characters, “Shrek 2” delivers a stronger comedic impact. But the Shrek title continues to be overplayed. “Shrek 5” has an anticipated release of December 2026.
2. In the same boat as “Shrek” sits the multibillion-dollar dynasty of “Toy Story” that began in 1995, producing four films with a fifth coming next summer. “Toy Story” is a Pixar classic and a childhood staple for many, but like Shrek, the sequels become repetitive.
3. Most powerfully, “Top Gun: Maverick,” the 2022 sequel, follows the original 1986 film that I loved. It has the perfect amount of nostalgia, paying respect to the original while also branching off with new characters.
As sequels can carry a tasteful recognition of nostalgia and introduce new characters, this does not mean they are always necessary. When wonderful movies become exploited, plots are completely tired out just like the Jurassic Park dinosaurs.
Instead of continuing to create sequels, remakes or franchises, I ask for new and fresh movies. All the time. I would like to go back to the magic theater feeling of something new and exciting instead of getting spoon-fed the 11th “Fast and Furious.”
Lauren Uppal is a member of the class of 2026 at Del Mar High School in San Jose.
