How long is too long for a sequel? Really, how long do you think is too long for a sequel before it becomes something it shouldn’t be? 5 years? 10years? 15 years? 20 years or more?

Let me start off with the definition of what a Sequel truly is:

A sequel is a work of fiction in literature, film, and other creative media, that is produced after a completed work, and set in the same “universe”, usually following the events of the original. It continues elements of the original story, often with the same characters and settings. A sequel is similar to a series, in which the same character appears in a number of stories, although the distinction is arbitrary, and some media franchises have enough sequels to effectively become a series, whether originally planned as such or not.

In the last couple of months we have seen a few sequels to well known films pop up. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and Lost Boys 2, are just a few of the films being brought back from the dead. Lost Boys 2 is coming to a theater almost 20 years after its first debut. “Indiana Jones” is strapping on his hat one more time after a vacation of 19 years. And how can we not forget about “Terminator” making a come back in 2003 after a hiatus of over 12 years. These are just some of the sequels that make me wonder why?

Stallone has become the king of sequels with 2 films bringing in over 7 sequels all while creating two of the most likeable characters on film in Rocky and John Rambo. We can’t forget Rocky and his latest try for a belt almost 30 years after we first saw him in the ring in 1976.

Should “Rambo” stop killing hundreds of people in a few minutes time? Should “Rocky” stop getting punched so much? It looks like Rambo is coming back around for number 5!!

In my opinion yes! And a resounding “yes!” at that. After Rocky 4 it went downhill. Rambo should of been left alone after the second film.I hate to see a film made just to bring someone back from the “dead” for the sake of money. I know that is what the Studio’s do day in and day out but come on folks!

For all of you “Star Wars” fans out there… dare I say how bad the last three films were? The first three films recently given to us by Mr Lucas in my eyes ruined the franchise. The filming, acting, special effects etc all ruined the original experience after all of those years of loving something for what it was. The gap in between was too big and too long ago for it to be a success.

With actors such as Arnold, Harrison, Bruce (can’t forget the Die Hard series) and Sylvester growing older every second, is this a ploy to bring us the best in entertainment or just to make some extra cash on a name for the big studios?

Pros:

• Name: The name could bring back an audience.
• Story: If the writing was done well and the movie was a hit, why not try and bring back us more.

I think overall a sequel is a sure thing if done correctly with the same people involved as the 1st.

Cons:

• Sequels always have the possibility of going wrong. An actor doesn’t sign back on, the directing and or writing crew is no longer interested or time constraints wont allow for it.
• Lapse in audience. The audience may of outgrown their love or interest of the film or lost touch with it over time.

So when is enough, really enough? After 5 years? After 10 years? I understand there will always be the exception to the rule such as the production schedule or special effects etc, but when has enough time passed when we consider a film “dead” in the best sense of the word?

I know I have forgotten many classic sequels, horror sequels, films that should have not been made in the 1st place, but I have captured some of the characters in my mind that actually have places in the hearts of most movie addicts.
Questions to you, the readers:

What is the ultimate motive of folks involved with a sequel? Do we need a sequel after 30 years? Am I a horrible movie fan?

What are your thoughts? I would love to hear them!

I know a few months back when the teaser came out for Rambo all the big time action movie lovers got excited. You could just tell from that short little bit that this was going to be a no holds barred ass kicking movie and I can honestly tell you that it definitely delivers!

The movie starts with our hero living in peace in Thailand. Basically his life now is going out on his custom motorboat and capturing snakes for a local snake charmer. Pretty exciting way to live huh?

Enter 5 members from a church in the good old US of A. They explain that they were told to find Rambo and ask for boat transport up the river so they can provide aid to the people in war torn Burma.

Now before I move on I want to explain how Stallone tries to really bring out the horrible violence that goes on in Burma. He does it in a way that had me twitching when some of the acts of violence, rape, and downright cruelty towards people of all ages does that. It was definitely an eye opening experience.

After a lot of begging, Rambo gives in and takes the group into Burma and drops them off with only one little incident and returns home. Of course, the group giving aid is soon captured during a violent raid by the military.

Days later Rambo is tasked by the leader of the groups church to go find the group since they have not reported back for a couple of days. Yes, thats right, now might be a good time to bring up that the writing of this movie is pretty shady, but really who came to see this for good writing? Not me! Oh, and the leader of the church also has a small mercenary team with him to assist Rambo. There, the silliness is just about over.

Rambo and his band of troops embark on their trip to rescue the prisoners and let me just say the final 30 minutes of this movie is the most INTENSE bunch of action that I have seen in a movie in a long time. What I really like though is that they really go into detail about what happens to someone when they take a Barret Sniper rifle round to the head, what happens when you get blown up, its in GREAT detail. Its just special effects being used in its finest. Its a truly great job.

Overall, this is a very typical run of the mill action movie. The writing is below average at best, the other characters don’t really grip you in a way that makes you care anything about them, and Stallone does an admirable job (especially for a man who is 60) of bringing back the Rambo character almost the exact same way he was left years ago.

I recommend if you like action movies to go see this movie, its not too long at about 100 minutes and you will walk out of the theater feeling satisfied. I am going to give it a 7 out of 10.