The brilliance of the third film completely justified the wait though, with both the animation and storyline improving, like a French wine, with age. We had to wait four years for a sequel and then (harrowingly) 11 more for Toy Story 3, making a 17 year gap between the first and last film. Animated films often require longer for a follow up film because of the lengthy process that goes into creating them, but, as Toy Story has shown us, sometimes a few more months (or even years) are worth the wait if required to perfect the story arc and the quality of the feature. In fact, time is pivotal to whether or not a sequel achieves success at the box office. A director who understands all the intricate details of the franchise would be massively beneficial (I might also add understated), and time to iron out all the creases in the plot or animation itself is key to this genre of film. The first of these is originality – a film will never take off if it’s been done to death before, or brings nothing new to the party. For me though, there are three key features that are equally (if not more) important in the creation and eventual success of a sequel. So what are the key ingredients of making a successful sequel, and are there times when sequels shouldn’t be made at all? Their likelihood of being commissioned depends heavily on opening weekend takings and gross income, not to mention the c-word: critics. Monsters University does seem more original in its content (as a sequel that’s actually a prequel) taking an origins-based plot and delving into early character development in a university setting. The trailers to the two films are credibly filled with their trademark witty slapstick and both look set to do well at the box office. With the impending release of Despicable Me 2 at the end of June and Monsters University coming later this summer, there’s much excitement to be seen in the eyes of every animation-lover.
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