Sequels, Triologies, remakes, based off of shows and cartoons... where has creativity gone in Hollywood?

Answer 1

Hollywood is big business. In Business it can be better to go for a low risk, high return venture.

Remakes have always been part of the hollywood tradtion, and good remakes are those that bring something new to the story. Remakes are popular because they are sold under a recognisable name, so it helps the marketing.

Sequels are the same. I don't think sequels are less creative, but once again, because of the built in market, the are often approved for production at a lower standard than an original movie requires.

Highly creative projects do exist. In fact, the creativity is not the complaint, but the quality.

Sometimes it is an issue about technology CGI and computer cartoons probably meant many stories that were sitting around, but could not be made, were made. Lord of Rings was only realistically possible and be true to the book because of CGI. Cartoons have been building in popularity over time, the have crossed into the mainstream adult market, but have a built in Children's market which makes them an easy return on investment.

But Hollywood recognises its own problem. This is why you have Warner Brothers Independent and Fox Searchlight. These are companies setup by the big studios to specifically target non-blockbuster movies. That is, the sort of movies previously made by independent producers.

So basically, I think sequels and remakes generally suffer more from quality problems, than creativity problems. Some highly creative works, such as the Matrix Trilogy, spawned 2 highly creative sequels which failed because of the poor quality of the scripts. On the hand, the formulaic approach to some movies means there is loss of creativity, but also reduced risk.

But movie making is business and if you don't take risks to see independent films, which can often be hit or miss, or no suitable to a wide audience, then you have no right to complain.

Answer 2

The magic word in Hollywood is 'derivative', at least as far as coming up with any original TV programming. Actually, though, I was pleasantly surprised at the beginning of the '07 TV season by 'Heroes', 'Jericho', and a couple of other shows, because they were fairly original. Then, of course, the networks in their infinite wisdom, preempted, skipped, and repeated episodes of these shows rather than just letting them run uninterrupted for the whole season. Don't ever delude yourself that Network TV is about anything other than the bottom line. There have been good programs with fresh, original concepts -'Freaks and Geeks', 'Joan of Arcadia', to name a couple and they didn't get good enough ratings to keep them on the air. The proliferation of 'reality television' is horrible, and has contributed greatly to the 'dumbing-down' of the American public.
I do have to say, however, that some sequels are really quite good. Shrek 2 for example, as well as the Harry Potter films.
As far as films made from cartoons, the 'Family Guy' movie was very funny, and I am looking forward to the Simpson's movie, because that show has been on for something like 17 years, and still manages to be very funny. But you are correct in your observation that creativity is not highly treasured in Hollywood.

Answer 3

Just look at the remakes of John Carpenter's movies "The Fog", "Assault on Precinct 13", "Halloween" coming soon, take "The Omen", take the "Wicker Man". I know I've forgotten many many films but they don't even stop at "The Day The Earth Stood Still" or "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari".

Where has creativity gone? Where has respect gone? Where has dignity gone? The won't stop at nothing to remake and recycle anything. If they only did it good. No, the remakes themselves lack of creativity and originality. It's a shame.

Answer 4

I think it takes creativity to take something that has already been created, put a twist into it that hooks people. Plus it's just smarter because someone has already done the majority of the work for you.

Answer 5

yeah, that's a good observation. what they're doing is a sure dictate of clear profit. but maybe a good question is why the public gives the producers the assurance that it is the best formula for success.

Answer 6

yup mind u i wanna see the smuffs maybe thundercats iron man ice age 3 yah lol but i do see yr point lol

Answer 7

It's gone to the "crapper" .Thank Gosh for trey parker & matt stone lol!

Answer 8

Yes, it's getting boring.