The Goonies Sequel Never Say Die

The Goonies Sequel Never Says Die

So about a week ago, director of the original Goonies film (1985), Richard Donner hinted heavily towards his next film being a follow up to The Goonies; just under 30 years after the original was released. Now like any other fan of The Goonies, I was heavily excited but hesitant because this is not the first time there have been an notion of a sequel materialising. In recent years there was a mention of a musical being in the works (Gigwise) and also an animated series.(thegoonies.org) Ever since the original was released and proved popular rumours of a sequel was going round Hollywood. Obviously nothing came into fruition but a Goonies 2 did come out on the NES in 1987, again adding substance of an sequel being imminent. 

During the 90's the idea of a sequel calmed down and it was only till the mid 2000's that the possibility of a sequel was possible. The main star of the original Sean Astin always expressed in interest in a sequel along with the director Richard Donner. Many hint at the re-emergence of this due to strong DVD sales and the 25th anniversary of the release of the original. On April 2014, Richard Donner confirmed that a sequel was in the works. Sean Astin and Corey Feldman on their twitter expressed interest into the absolute explosion and frenzy caused by this rumour. Social media is an integral part in today society and I wouldn't be surprised if Warner Bros. gets a taste for the amount of hype and interest for the sequel and be pushed to green light the project. Nothing is set in stone so at the moment I would not get too excited but this is the closest the possibility of a Goonies 2 will happen and if it doesn't this time, it will never happen.

Is it the right time for a Goonies sequel?

It's a long time coming. Goonies has garnered a massive cult following and the formula for the film is one that has lost it's substance in recent times. Children films of today are watered down heavily and restricts the film to be marketed to a wide audience. The Goonies was a silly film with a out there concept. However it contain language not suitable for kids but language that kids likely use. It contained jokes in the film that only adults may of only understood. It blew my mind when I realised that the main pirate 'One Eyed Willie' was a euphemism for a penis. Deliberate or not it was slightly more then your everyday run of the mill children films. It was a family film. A rarity only seen today in mainly Pixar films. So if a sequel does get made it must have the same feel the original had. No watering down or dumbing down the film. It's a dedicated following and must not be looked past.

There's been mentions of the film being about a passing of the torch, with the old Goonies being parents and their kids being the 'new' Goonies. It's a good idea and a quick side note it would be great to have this theme of a lost childhood, the whole Peter Pan complex. It makes it relevant to adults and children. The timing is right for this film. 12 year olds at the time are now in there 40's. I'm almost 21 and I miss being a child, so focusing on lost childhood is something that will make this film relevant. 

The timing is perfect, the following is there, the interest is there, most of the cast is interested. This cannot happened any later. It's a lost opportunity if it doesn't happen. I'm still hesitant that it will get made because this is not the only time I've been hopeful for the sequel and as a longtime fan. I hope it does get made.

Jason Blight 2014

Has Pixar Caught Sequelitis?

Has Pixar Caught Sequelitis

From a number of sources, Pixar have confirmed that Cars 3 and The Incredibles 2 will be made. I'm normally excited for sequels, sequels can be good ideas if done well and if necessary. In recent years Hollywood has churned out sequel after sequel and the argument of sequels being necessary is blurred and the more explicit incitement seems to be for the money. Hearing news of a sequel is nothing new and I shouldn't be worried, however Pixar is no any old Hollywood studio. Pixar is a trademark for innovation and quality; not quantity. So I thought...

Pixar being under the Disney umbrella, a studio known for it's franchises, (Marvel, Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean) it shouldn't come as much of a shock. However Pixar before Cars 2 only made sequels to the highly popular Toy Story franchise but it was done well. Toy Story was an metaphor for the stages of growing up, each sequel was a great message to present about childhood. Cars 2 looked more of a cash grab, even though it was John Lasseter passion project. The idea that the first film made approx. 10 billion dollars in merchandise, two sequels doesn't seem like a productive step in innovation.

Toy Story in 1995 was a huge step in computer animation with every other film after that creating a new universe, unique and the story was original and detailed. From the ocean's of Finding Nemo to the Monster world of Monsters Inc. Pixar created universes that did allow sequels to be a possibility but held back on that possibility because they relished the idea to create something new. However with the announcement of Cars 3 and The Incredibles 2, it adds to the list of sequels of Cars 2, Monster University, the upcoming Finding Dory and there have been a few sources of doing a Toy Story 4.

Now I'm a sequel addict when I hear sequel I start to dribble and make weird noises but for Pixar I'm hesitant. They have always been consistent in their films and Cars 2 and Monster University, not bad films but Pixar can;t be content with not bad. Monster's University was a great films but I see more potential in the idea of the new, original Pixar film coming out called, Inside Out. Coming out in 2015, it will be set in a girls mind and the characters will be emotions. This sounds like an amazing idea and is so 'Pixar-like' It's risky, it's experimental but Pixar seem to hit every time. I'm more interested in that film then Finding Dory. I could probably guess what will happen in Finding Dory but Inside Out; I'm intrigued.

Now I won't stop watching Pixar films, I think they are still amazing. There sequels are much better quality then any shluck that Hollywood throw out. Sequels have a bad name to them, they have a capitalist motive and Pixar doesn't need a legacy of a sequel to 'cash in'. Their consistency record allows to experiment and still be a box office success. 

Pixar is an anomaly in Hollywood. They have so much detail in their films, it's why it takes years to make just one. Pixar is a studio that can experiment and innovate. It does hurt a little that they have announced a flurry of sequels not because they won;t be good films, it's because Pixar creates new environments and new universe that are detailed and unique that a Pixar that doesn't cover new ground seems like a wasted opportunity. The announced films of Inside Out and The Good Dinosaur shows a lot of promise and I hope, on a personal standpoint that Pixar doesn't get to the point where they rely on sequels. Pixar are a trademark of innovation and sequels are not the step forward.

Jason Blight