Staff Writer- Emily Anderson

Sequels. You either love them or you hate them. 

There is something to be said about a continuing adventure. A picking up of a plot that was seemingly resolved in the first film, to add more depth, growth, and adventure. Being at the end of my sophomore year (what some would argue feels like a sequel), I feel as though I have some sentiments about the most debated topic: are sequels worth it?

I acknowledge that there is a certain joy in seeing something new, learning new characters, and seeing a new setting. I also agree that to some extent, if sequels are not given the same level of care as the first film, there is a reason for sequels not to be enjoyed. Most argue sequels lack originality, with similar characters, setting, and sometimes plot. Others argue that a sequel is just an elaborate ploy for money, that uses hit characters as an easy way to gain more traction in marketing, which draws audiences in. A brand new story is riveting and unpredictable. However, sequels can actually be exciting.

For one, sequels can help make the story complete. There are some sequels that can make the storyline better, simply by adding more time to work with. Wicked, followed by Wicked For Good, helped to show a more in-depth story. While Wicked For Good was not rated as highly as the first film (which is something I could write a whole other article about), the added time gave the story more depth, despite being about twice as long as the original musical. 

Additionally, they sometimes have more advanced plots than their predecessor, since the initial story was mostly used for world-building. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is a great example of a story that was taken to another level with the addition of a sequel. The original movie, while having a good plot and ability to stand alone, was allowed to expand (Spoilers! Although it has been almost 50 years since the original came out—I don’t feel that bad about it). In this film, Luke grows a lot as a character; we meet Yoda, and there is even a battle with Darth Vader. This film set up the whole franchise for future films. 

Thirdly, there is a level of development that happens in introducing new characters through sequels. While Captain America: The Winter Soldier didn’t add a character per se, the addition of the new “Winter Soldier” helped to advance the plot of not only Captain America but the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole. Like the addition of Winter Soldier, the seamless addition of Jessie in Toy Story 2 makes me forget that she wasn’t even in the first movie. 

Upon asking my friends for their takes on sequels that were better or on par as the original includes movies like Frozen 2, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Spider-Man 2, and countless others. The fact that there are so many on this list shows that there is value in the sequel. There are so many memorable stories that are told in this way. In fact, one of my favorite sequels, Muppets Most Wanted, is a truly fantastic film.

Upon further reflection, this being my sophomore year, a sequel of sorts, I do think that sequels are really good. There were characters that came and left, a little change of scenery, and lots and lots of character development. While there were highs and lows (and everything in between) I do think that this next year has provided me with lots of insight on myself. While there are some things you can only get in the original, similar to your first year of college, don’t fear, there is still a lot to learn and a lot to experience. So yes, I do believe that sequels can be great.