A 'Repo Man' sequel and other trunks that should not be opened

Stephanie T. Tue, Jul 8, 2008 at 08:06 AM EST

This was why "Rush Hour" should have stayed one film.

Hamburger Royal Tue, Jul 8, 2008 at 07:30 AM EST

Generally, the idea is that of the author/director/studio and they can do whatever they see fit with it. The real issue with most prequels/sequels is that they rely on the prestige of the first installment and would never work independently. That is why Aliens is often seen as the best sequel ever. It works outside the context of the original. You don't need Alien at all. For me, this is the acid test for franchise movies. If it has legs on its own, by all means do it. If it depends on preceding films to establish a premise (or worse, changes the premise of the original film - Riddick, I am talking to you), fuh-geddaboudit.

Ackerman Tue, Jul 8, 2008 at 04:56 AM EST

I don't think a director's cut or alternate endings or anything like that is in the same league as spinning off a cash-grabbing sequel. If someone (artist or no artist)wants to offer up something different, I don't see the issue. I understand that the movie as a finished piece is what it is, but a director's cut allows us plebians a look into the creative process, judge the choices that were made, understand how the slightest changes can affect the tone and pacing. Also, where do we draw the line with this psuedo-irritation with "tinkering"? If Metropolis was cut for international release and the subsequent years yield more footage, are we pissed? If Scott removes a voice-over, and it makes a different movie, so what? Are you mad at Peter Jackson if treebeard recites poetry? The respective merits of these edits are individual arguments, but the notion that an assembled piece (determined by a host of other factors) can be restructured or accentuated is a silly thing to vent on.

Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 09:37 PM EST

Gary, preach on, brutha; amen! Sequels are USUALLY unnecessary attempts to cash in rather than thoughtful extensions of the original story with new/improved information and story arcs. There are exceptions (Aliens, anyone?), but really, making a SEQUEL twenty years on, instead of creating something new and as original as the first movie (and I love Repo Man) pretty much just looks like the high school quarterback who can't let go of his glory years. I am OVER Hollywood's lame raiding of prior films/TV shows to make mediocre films. The new Batman movies are the only retooling of an old franchise that has worked, IMO, and that's because they RETOOLED it. Completely. But, would I see a Repo Man sequel? Probably, because the life of a Repo Man is always intense!

Nix Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 09:28 PM EST

Nope, we don't ever want to stop tinkering with what we do. A work of art is never finished, it's just snatched by the producers/publishers/patrons and put before critics like you.

anne Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 06:52 PM EST

Sorry to disappoint you Dixie, but that Lost Boys sequel is about to come out on DVD.

Dixie Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 06:25 PM EST

I have to say I'm hoping the purported "Lost Boys" sequel disappears into the same vacuum as "Chinese Democracy" did...unless said sequel turns out to have been filmed in 1989 with all the original stars. But I'm not hopeful.

dan jones Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 05:45 PM EST

I seriously don't get people who make arguments like this. Seriously, why on Earth would you want LESS. Does the existence of an alternate cut somehow ruin the original? And if you said yes to that question... how anal-retentive are you?

Yes, Lucas's tinkering with Star Wars was pointless and dumb... but it didn't make the original versions vanish from existence. If Scott is willing to go back and improve Blade Runner, why not be in favor of it, you know maybe it'll come out... better. But if i doesn't why moan and wail about it? Just watch the old one.

Chaddogg Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 05:40 PM EST

In related news, we're all still waiting for Guns 'n Roses' "Chinese Democracy" to drop in stores....

Kerri Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 05:32 PM EST

Now let's go do some crime!

Kerri Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 05:31 PM EST

Now let's go do some crime!

Kerri Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 05:30 PM EST

I've got to get my car out of this bad neighborhood! But otherwise leave well enough alone... why ruin a classic?! Cox should be thinking of a plate of shrimp instead.