Late movie sequels have always fascinated audiences, giving viewers the chance to witness another adventure with their favorite characters. While some late-movie sequels were big hits, others proved far less appealing to avid moviegoers. Following the latest rumors that Indiana Jones 5 the drug tests were disastrous (Via World reel)audiences reflect on other disappointing sequels that came years after the original.
These cinematic follow-ups failed dramatically to live up to the hype, with viewers returning dissatisfied with how they built on their superb predecessors. Audiences feel that these sequels came too late after the release of the original movies, as they look tired or dated compared to other modern blockbusters.
10/10 The Birds II: The End of the World
1994
by Alfred Hitchcock The birds is one of cinema’s greatest horror films, introducing audiences to the terrifying invasion of a flock of birds in Bodega Bay. This 1960s classic received a made-for-TV sequel in 1994, titled The Birds II: end of the world, and its story of killer birds terrorizing a seaside resort contains none of the menace of Hitchcock’s spooky offering.
With its abundance of subplots and its surprisingly heavy focus on the town’s miscreant citizens, The Birds II: The End of the World features none of the suspense of Hitchcock’s original. The film’s embarrassing special effects make it increasingly difficult for viewers to take the bird attacks seriously, leaving the film feeling particularly dated alongside other 90s releases.
9/10 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
2008
The IndianaJones became one of Hollywood’s biggest adventure franchises, with the determined archaeologist’s journeys around the world captivating audiences. 2008 sees the release of the adventurer’s long-awaited fourth outing, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, although the resulting film was a big disappointment among fans.
Regarding Indiana’s quest for the mysterious Crystal Skulls, this bizarre outing for the archaeologist ignores a lot that the original IndianaJones the films represented. Director Steven Spielberg’s heavy use of CGI means the film fails to capture the charm of the original films, which used some of Hollywood’s most impressive physical effects. Meanwhile, its weird sci-fi elements feel totally out of place, with the franchise’s previous supernatural elements having otherwise taken on more of a religious nature.
8/10 Surf’s Up 2: Wavemania
2017
surf is one of the most popular animated offerings of 2007, charming audiences with its portrayal of a penguin surfing contest. The quirky animated feature received a second release ten years later, with Surf’s Up 2: Wavemania, although the sequel seemed significantly less successful with viewers.
While the original characters all return, Surf’s Up 2: Wavemania largely focuses on a new set of penguins, voiced by various wrestling superstars. This desperate attempt to attract a new audience fails spectacularly, with the voices of the wrestlers clashing considerably with the otherwise lovable penguin models. The original film was also released when the penguin films were popular with casual audiences, with films such as happy feet and Penguins of Madagascar generating impressive results at the box office, making surfThe less than stellar sequel is particularly outdated.
7/10 tron the legacy
2010
tron is one of the most influential science fiction films, with its groundbreaking visual effects having influenced modern cinema. Its late sequel, tron the legacy, didn’t quite capture audiences’ attention in the same way, with its central narrative regarding Sam’s journey through the cyber world proving somewhat underwhelming for moviegoers.
While the original tron was released at a time when computers were a new development, tron the legacy hitting cinemas in a world where electronic systems such as laptops and game consoles had become commonplace. As a result, the film’s cyberworld features none of the original’s plot, with audiences already aware of what a “virtual world” can be. The special effects also leave little to be desired, with many feeling they’ve aged poorly since the 2010s.
6/10 The Jungle Book 2
2003
Disney Animation The jungle Book is a particularly delightful outing from the animation studio, with its lovable characters and the heartwarming story of a young child raised by wolves that won over audiences when it debuted in 1967. In 2003, Disney chose to release The Jungle Book 2, which follows Mowgli’s return to the jungle after joining the Men’s Village and is significantly less successful than its predecessor.
Coming many years after the original, The Jungle Book 2 is an extremely derivative film, copying many of the same themes from the first film. The sequel’s storyline also recreates many of the same song-and-dance routines from the 1967 classic, such as the iconic “Bare Necessities” number, resulting in a late release that feels like a totally unnecessary feature.
5/10 The Matrix Resurrections
2021
the original Matrix is one of the most influential films in cinema, with its spectacular visual effects that captured the imagination of viewers. 2021 The Matrix Resurrections offered a return to the great virtual world, as computer programmer Anderson discovers his true identity as “The One”, however, the resulting image left viewers bitterly disappointed.
Set a few decades after the last film, The Matrix Resurrections follows the same narrative beats as the first film, with Neo once again tasked with “following the White Rabbit” and uncovering the truth about the Matrix. The film also leaves audiences with many unanswered questions, with its confusing narrative preventing the sci-fi film from capturing the magic of the original.
4/10 Psycho II
1983
Released in 1960, Alfred Hitchcock’s psychology delivered a truly gruesome story to audiences, with the occupants of the Bates Motel falling victim to the deranged serial killer Norman Bates. 1983 Psycho II promised an equally chilling experience for moviegoers, featuring Norman’s return to his iconic motel, though the resulting movie leaves little to be desired.
Psycho II does not contain any of the subtleties of the previous episode. While Alfred Hitchcock left much of the violence to the imagination, Psycho II focuses heavily on blood and gore, which makes Hitchcock’s absence behind the scenes noticeable throughout the film.
3/10 The Return of Superman
2006
by Christopher Reeves Superman is one of cinema’s most iconic franchises, with Metropolis’ noble superhero captivating audiences in 1978. Decades later, Warner Bros. chose to revive the series with 2006 The return of Superman. This action-packed outing from director Bryan Singer failed to garner the same amount of interest, with audiences seemingly oblivious to Superman’s battle against Lex Luthor.
With movies like Spiderman 2and X2 After demonstrating the immense potential of the comic book genre, audiences expected more from Superman’s big return to the big screen. Although the film features one of the most beloved characters,The Return of Superman failed to capture the charm of Reeves’ original films, with his weak characterization proving particularly underwhelming.
2/10 Blair Witch
2016
the original Blair Witch Project proved a major hit in 1999, leaving viewers intrigued by the enigmatic mystery of the titular Blair Witch. 2016 saw the release of its sequel, Blair Witch, which followed YouTuber James’ investigation into the disappearance of his sister Heather. Unfortunately, the film failed to impress moviegoers, who found it derivative of the original.
Blair Witch follows much the same plot as the first episode, with James and his friends leading their own exploration of the Blair Witch mythos. While the idea of found footage was a unique concept during The Blair Witch Project release, its sequel opened at a time when cinemas had become saturated with this style of cinema. Therefore, Blair Witch contains nothing of the novelty of its most successful predecessor.
1/10 Bambi II
2006
Beginning in 1942, Bambi provides one of Disney’s most emotional films, as the titular stag finds himself lost after the brutal murder of his mother. Its sequel arrived in 2006, under the name of Bambi II, and offers deeper insight into Bambi’s grief for his dead mother. However, this animated film proved somewhat disappointing to mainstream audiences, who disapproved of its lighter tone compared to the first film.
Whereas Bambi offers a sweet learning tale with fleeting moments of comedy, Bambi II takes a more comedic approach. This rather embarrassing animated feature includes some of Disney’s worst jokes yet, emphasizing toilet humor, resulting in some truly goofy moments. Plus, its inclusion of 2000s pop music gives it a horribly dated feel and further highlights the creative differences between Bambi II and the original from 1942.
