Worst Movie Sequels

Opinion posted February 7, 2023 in Arts & Entertainment by CommRadio Arts and Entertainment department.

'The Godfather Part III"

By no means is “The Godfather Part III” a bad film. Not great, but not bad.

It is hard to live up to two previous masterpieces, especially if you lose a majority of the cast, and release the film 16 years after the second.

Basically, Francis Ford Coppola agreed to do the film for money, not out of passion. Robert Duvall didn’t agree to reprise his role as Tom Hagen because he claimed Paramount paid Al Pacino almost triple what they paid him.

On top of this, Paramount rushed production, altering the artistic process of Coppola, and author/screenwriter Mario Puzo.

Besides these issues, what most critics agreed was the major flaw upon release, is the performance of Coppola’s daughter, Sofia, as Michael Corleone and Kay’s daughter Mary.

Unfortunately, Mary was a huge part of the story, specifically her (odd) incestuous relationship with Michael’s late brother Sonny’s illegitimate son Vincent Mancini.

Coppola was not the first choice for Mary. Julia Roberts was originally attached, Madonna auditioned, and Winona Rider was ultimately the final decision, but she dropped out at the last second due to exhaustion.

The main plot is Michael’s redemption arc, which sees him trying to become legitimate and cut all ties with the criminal underworld.

He forms a business relationship with the Vatican, and a European bank, which of course faces opposition from many. Betrayal from Connie’s (Talia Shire) godfather Don Altobello (Eli Wallach) and a hit attempt by gangster Joey Zasa, lead Michael to utter the infamous line “just when I thought I was out… they pull me back in!”

Overall it was an average film, with a few nice callbacks to the original two. The film earned seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Supporting Actor for Andy Garcia’s fiery performance as Vincent, but for the first time in franchise history took home zero.

Following two of the greatest films ever made, and coming up very short, is what makes “The Godfather Part III”, the worst sequel of all time. - Nick LaRosa

“Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again”

It’s a shame such an amazing movie was followed up with a sequel that couldn’t quite match up to its greatness.

“Mamma Mia!” is a film with beautiful sights of Greece, fun songs and characters and an unexpected plot. It could only be expected that the long-awaited, 10-years-in-the-making, sequel would be regarded as highly.

However, its sequel is not as exciting for fans of the first film. With continuity errors in the plot about Donna Sheridan’s past, such as the order in which she meets Sam, Harry and Bill and the fact her mother is alive.

The film contains some plot holes making it hard to deem it a fitting sequel.

While some people might not take these errors into consideration when viewing the film, the best part about a sequel is the continuation of the storyline. Especially when that storyline is meant to represent a character’s past.

Viewers wanted the juicy details of Donna Sheridan as a woman in her twenties, and some were left disappointed. -Cassie Baylis

“Disenchanted”

“Disenchanted” is quite possibly the most disappointing Disney sequel of all time, and that’s saying a lot.

It might not be the worst Disney sequel ever made, but it was given the impossible task of topping “Enchanted,” one of the most beloved movie musicals of all time. Needless to say, it failed.

“Disenchanted” opens with Giselle (Amy Adams) and Robert (Patrick Dempsey) moving out of New York City to support their growing family in a town called Monroeville, but it falls short of the fairytale life Giselle wants.

After a wish gone wrong, Monroeville transforms into Monroelasia, where Maya Rudolph rules as an evil queen and Giselle slowly becomes an evil stepmother herself.

The duet “Badder” featuring Adams and Rudolph might be the worst song Disney has ever produced.

Honestly, every song in “Disenchanted” is flat and forgettable except Idina Menzel’s ballad “Love Power.”

It felt wrong to see Giselle, a character beloved for her kindness in a world that lacks it, turning evil in a tired plotline.

Patrick Dempsey and James Marsden (two staples of “Enchanted”) were also barely featured in the sequel, and it was overall just a mess of poor visual effects and juvenile music. - Kaitlyn Murphy

“Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi”

How is it possible that the best saga in history went from having “The Empire Strikes Back” as a success story to an absolute cinematic flop in “The Last Jedi?”

“The Last Jedi” continues the story from “The Force Awakens,” where the Resistance is in shambles after its fight with the First Order.

Disney bought the rights to Lucasfilm before the film’s release, but viewers could tell that Mickey Mouse worked his magic on this one.

“Star Wars” has always had wacky creatures in the film, but what animals exactly were Finn and Rose riding and could they have made the CGI any worse?

This film is so frustrating for so many reasons, but the main theme was “letting the past die.” Han Solo was already killed off in the first movie of the trilogy, while Luke Skywalker sacrificed himself for the Resistance in this one.

The “past” of “Star Wars” is crucial to the sequels, but without the original cast, The Last Jedi felt like a terrible, last-minute project that Disney threw together.  - Adrianna Gallucci

Nick LaRosa is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email njl5547@psu.edu.

Cassie Baylis is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email ceb6085@psu.edu.

Kaitlyn Murphy is a first-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact her, email kvm6255@psu.edu.

Adrianna Gallucci is a first-year student majoring in journalism. To contact her, please email amg7989@psu.edu.