MANILA, Philippines - In Hollywood, sequels and prequels have proven to be very popular with viewers. Quite a number of hit movies have their plots extended into subsequent productions that benefit greatly from the original stories’ initial success.
It’s the “brand name” mentality carried over to filmmaking: A hit film is regarded as a popular product, so its title is in effect a brand that can continue to make money for its producer, from sequel to sequel—sometimes, with a couple of “prequels” thrown in for good measure.
Successful examples of film series abound: In the past, many “Tarzan,” Dracula,” “Lassie,” “Zorro,” and “Rocky” sequels were made.
But their success has been roundly eclipsed by the bigger bucks that more recent movie series have earned, like the “Harry Potter,” “Lord of the Rings,” “Star Wars,” “Halloween” and “Back to the Future” films, which have made billions of dollars worldwide.
Thrice-told plots
Even if some sequels are inferior due to their thrice-told plots and exhausted stellar performances, a sufficient number of diehard fans continues to view them, so they still end up in the black.
So, even if many sequels and prequels get more than their share of criticism, they continue to be produced over and over again, because they are an easy sell, and enjoy great viewer “recall.”
Expectedly, sequels have also become popular on the local movie scene with hit serial production like the “Ang Panday,” “Darna,” “Dyesebel,” “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” “Mano Po” and “Enteng Kabisote” films.
Like their American counterparts, some local movie sequels have a hard time measuring up to the standard set by their initial films. This is particularly true of the thriller-chiller movie series, which have clearly seen better days.
Despite this, sequels dominate this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, with last year’s front-runner, “Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo,” following up with “Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo,” which focuses on lead star couple Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo’s characters’ post-wedding bliss—and blues.
For his part, film fest favorite Vic Sotto is wrapping up work on a prequel to his hit “Enteng Kabisote” fantasy flicks. Titled “Enteng Kabisote 4,” the movie nevertheless “starts from the very beginning” in terms of plotting the initial links forged between its human and magical characters. Sotto and Kristine Hermosa star.
And “Shake, Rattle and Roll 9” features three spooky episodes starring a multigenerational mix of veteran and young leads and supporting players.
Last year, “Enteng” and “Kasal” fought it out for top grosser spot in the film fest, and the same “duel” is expected to involve their sequels in the 2007 festival later this month. But Bong Revilla’s “Transformers”-like “Resiklo” is also expected to provide strong competition.
Other official film fest entries: “Katas ng Saudi,” “Bahay Kubo,” “Banal,” “Desperadas” and “5 Anak ng Kumander.”
On point of star value, the 2007 MMFF entries boasts of the participation of other stellar leads like Maricel Soriano, Dennis Trillo, Dingdong Dantes, Jennylyn Mercado, Manny Pacquiao, Jinggoy Estrada, Marvin Agustin, Ara Mina, Iza Calzado and Ruffa Gutierrez.
As for quality, the point system for the selected screenplays scored 50 percent for commercial viability, 40 percent for creativity and innovativeness, and 10 percent for cultural and historical values.
