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movie news
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Mon. 05 07. 2007 2:14 PM EDT
Hey Shrek And Captain Jack: Try These Tips For A Successful Threequel
Filmmakers behind summer's biggest trilogies might want to check out our guidelines before opening day.
by
Shawn Adler
We may not know who it was that first uttered the phrase "bad luck comes in threes," but at least we know why. Our brains are hardwired from birth to group things in threes, to break complex ideas into three parts, to see the sacred and the profane
in a digit "Schoolhouse Rock!" reminded us is "a magic number."
But whoever it was that coined the phrase, we know it sure as heck wasn't a movie executive. The third time's not just the charm for movie franchises, it's the locket, the bracelet and the gold necklace too. Look down a list of the most successful movies ever and you're bound to see either films that ended a trilogy ("The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King") or films that were part of one ("Indiana Jones," "Star Wars," "Jurassic Park.")
This summer, no less than six movie trilogies will come to an end: the "Ocean's" movies, "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Shrek," the "Bourne" films, "Rush Hour" and "Spider-Man."
But not all of these movie trilogies should be given three cheers (in fact, we'd like to give more than a few directors the third degree). Follow us, then, as we brave the summer three-ring circus, look into the past, the present and the future, and offer these tips for how to make successful movie threequels.
Don't Look Beyond Three
The hope is always that three is greater than the sum of its parts. And the only way to ensure that each component contributes to a greater whole is to actually make them part of a greater whole.
"Return of the Jedi" doubles back on "Star Wars," "The Lord of the Rings" goes "There and Back Again." Even the otherwise bloated "Matrix Revolutions" ends with a finality unusual in most blockbusters. The point isn't that there aren't loose ends (we could envision sequels to every one of these properties), the point is that these movies answer all our pressing questions from parts one and two — they tie up all the most important plot points.
Filmmakers make an implicit promise by having three films: "We'll show you a complete journey," they say, whether it's messianic (the "Matrix" flicks) or demonic (the "Star Wars" prequels). To the producers of "Pirates," "Spider-Man" and "Shrek" — all of which have fourth flicks rumored or in the works — honor that contract. Give us the end we crave.
Learn From Your Mistakes
"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" and "Ocean's Twelve" are just two of the latest sequels not to live up to the promise and joy of the originals. Any fan could sit you down and tell you why these sequels weren't as good. Listen to them.
You know what? Let's just call this the "Jar Jar Binks" corollary and move on, shall we?
Keep Your Family Intact
There are some movie trilogies that are grouped by theme, like Krzystof Kieslowski's "Three Colors" trilogy or Sergio Leone's "The Man With No Name" trilogy. To those directors, we say hooray. But if the major connecting thread between your films is the characters, then, well, it's kinda really important you keep the same people shooting, directing and, of course, playing those characters. "Terminator" terminated with James Cameron's departure. "X-Men: The Last Stand" lacked Bryan Singer's X-factor. And do we really need to discuss Val Kilmer and Joel Shumacher's take on the Dark Knight?
Sometimes a new director or actor can be a shot in the arm for a franchise — the "Bourne" movies in particular have greatly benefited from Paul Greengrass' involvement, and we can no longer imagine anyone other than Daniel Craig as Bond. But more often than not, disrupting "the family" disrupts our enjoyment. Hey, if "Ocean's" can get all those A-listers back together every time, you can too.
Don't Pander To Or Try To Expand Your Audience
Even as young children, we somehow knew there was something not quite right with the Ewoks. Cute, cuddly, unbearably precious and manifestly not "Star Wars." Here we were at the climactic end to the greatest space opera ever written, and the Empire's final doom comes at the hands of a bunch of teddy bears.
George Lucas' use of Ewoks in the series' third installment is a classic example of a director trying to expand his audience. Don't. You don't need to branch out. We're ready and willing to fork over our $10 again and again and again. Pandering or reaching out just makes us angry.
"Spider-Man 3" has a song-and-dance number straight out of "Saturday Night Fever" or "Moulin Rouge!" — apparently to appeal to a new audience (see " 'Spider-Man 3' Details: Musical Mary Jane, Jared Leto-Like Spidey"). Why? The hard-core fans who've followed you are going to be upset, while the people you hope to lure are going to feel insulted. There's a reason you're making a third film, and it's most likely because your first two flicks did monster business. We like you just as you are.
Don't Just Pile On The Villains — Up The Ante
By the time we get to the third film in a series, it should feel like nothing short of the whole world being at stake. In some of the best movie trilogies, this is actually literally true, of course, but it needn't be. It just has to feel that way. In other words, something greater than the hero's happiness should be up for grabs.
"Shrek the Third," for instance, climaxes with a battle for Far Far Away, while "Pirates" has Captain Jack and the rest of his mates battling for ultimate supremacy of the sea. Good for them both. I don't think I could stomach any more "will they stay together or won't they" romances out of either of them. The greatest rewards only come with the greatest risks. Give our heroes the risks they deserve (and, no, kissing Keira Knightley/ Kirsten Dunst/ Julia Roberts/ Cameron Diaz isn't one of them).
But don't do it by just needlessly piling on villains. It's better to have one bad guy really well explained than two or three given short attention. We judge heroes' worth by the strength of their opponents, not by their number.
Well, unless that number is three.
This report is from MTV News.
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