Proof that Walt wouldn't have approved of all the sequels!

[grinningghost]

An often talked about subject on the DIS - Disney sequels - especially the much despised direct-to-video sequels.

I'm reading the book "How To Be Like Walt". Here's a quote that concerns "Three Little Pigs":

"Theater owners clamored for sequels, but Walt didn't like to repeat himself. Roy finally persuaded Walt that it was just a matter of giving the public what it wanted. So Walt produced three sequels: The Big Bad Wolf, Three Little Wolves, and The Practical Pig. They were never as successful as the original, proving that (as Walt put it), "You can't top pigs with pigs".

See Walt knew and we know. You can't top pigs with pigs.

Or Cinderella's with Cinderella's. Or Little Mermaids with Little Mermaids...

 

[bicker]

Of course, many of Walt's original ideas died on the vine, too. So this is just a case of Walt choosing which facts to turn into faux-wisdom, and which facts to ignore because they didn't serve the point he wanted to make.

 

[grinningghost]

Of course, many of Walt's original ideas died on the vine, too. So this is just a case of Walt choosing which facts to turn into faux-wisdom, and which facts to ignore because they didn't serve the point he wanted to make.

Maybe so, but I think in general terms, he was saying that sequels don't usually work - and IMHO, he's right.

 

[bicker]

Terminator 2, Godfather 2, Superman 2, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, etc.

 

[Stitchfans]

The only sequel IMO that ever was any good was Shrek 2. Yes I know that wasn't Disney. As a matter of fact Shrek 2 was better then Shrek.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

I HATE sequels.

 

[grinningghost]

Terminator 2, Godfather 2, Superman 2, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, etc.

I thought you might do that bicker.

I'll give you this - Godfather 2 was outstanding. Empire Strikes Back was outstanding - but I think that's because they were part of a well thought out ongoing saga - rather than a quickly put together follow up.

So you're right and Walt's right too.

 

[bicker]

Both Superman 2 and Terminator 2 were just as good as the originals. Star Trek: TNG was a sequel-series, and far better than the original. And so on....

The point is that there isn't anything about something being a sequel that makes it good or bad. Everything stands on its own merits.

As an aside, it interesting, now, that Angelfire is blocking deeply-linked images. That's new....

 

[grinningghost]

The point is that there isn't anything about something being a sequel that makes it good or bad. Everything stands on its own merits.

Disney sequels are obviously only standing on one leg then.

 

[bicker]

Indeed, but on their own merits.

 

[grinningghost]

Indeed, but on their own merits.

Of course, there was Toy Story 2...

That wasn't bad - but I can't think of any other Disney sequels that worked very well. I think they really need to stick to original material and let Steven Spielberg and George Lucas handle sequels.

 

[TinkerBelle2992]

Toy Story 2 was a good sequel. Not as god as the first, but good. I think it was the only Disney sequel I really liked.

 

[Feralpeg]

Maybe the Disney sequels aren't really directed toward adults. I hear a lot of adults complain about Disney movies not being what they were when they were young. Maybe part of that is because you are looking at them from a totally different perspective. We never stop loving the things that amazed us as children, however new movies would have to be so much better to elicit the same response now that we are adults. I know my DD had no problem with the Disney sequels. She loved them just as I had loved the originals.

 

[bicker]

Indeed, maybe they shouldn't invest the same creativity in sequels as they do in first-features. It isn't clear to me that Disney isn't better off investing their premium creativity in first-features, and still capitalizing on the brands they establish via investing lesser creativity in the sequels. Redirecting resources away from first-features to sequels may result in lower audience overall.

 

[VSL]

Toy Story 2 wasn't a Disney sequel, though. It was a Pixar sequel.

Not looking forward to the fact that Disney have the rights to make sequels to Pixar films made while they were under contract though... I doubt the actors will work with Disney for more sequels like they would with Pixar.

 

[bicker]

I suspect many actors will work for the money, if there is enough money involved. And, as Peg alluded to, what we as adults -- as American adults (since in many cases foreign audiences have different preferences than we do) -- what we consider artistic success may have very little to do with actual success of sequels.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Toy Story 2 is a great sequel! I'm glad they made TS2! It's one of my favorites besides the original TS.

 

[Sparx]

I have watched MANY a disney sequel, and most were bad. but they do have the occasional diamond in the rough, like Toy Story2.

 

[yeartolate]

If the public stops buying the direct to video sequals, they will stop making them.

Walt is dead. Business and personal philosphies adjust over time. WWWD (what would Walt do) is just speculation at best.

If Walt was alive and kept his 1955 ideals and business philosphy the same today, he wouldn't have much of a business (if any).

 

[cardaway]

Walt wanted to follow up Fantasia with multiple sequels. He was into making them as long as they were made with the same quality as the original.

So I guess it can be said he was into sequels, but not the stuff we have got since the introduction of home video.