Watterson, of course, created a brilliant comic strip which became very popular and remains so. He had far more artistic integrity than Calvin and also achieved a popularity that Calvin never achieves.
He has explained that Calvin largely represents his immature side as an adult. On Monday, Hobbes seemed less mature than Calvin but their usual standards of maturity are now reasserting themselves.
People like to imagine there was a time when Hollywood was filled with original programming and artistic integrity. Hogwash. The movie industry always has been, and always will be, a profit-making business.
Every generation treats sequels and remakes as though they were were something new. They are not. Let’s consider just one example, the brilliant “The Wizard of Oz” film from 1939. Not only is it not an original story, it’s the fourth version of it as a film.
And surely you’ve seen “The Bride of Frankenstein” (1935). It’s a sequel, filmed to capitalize on the success of the original.
In 2052, people will complain that sequels and remakes dominate the movies. And they’ll say Hollywood has changed in the last 30 years.
A rare sequel introduces events and scenes that equal the audience reaction to the original. Faces, expressions, actions are almost the same. Special effects on the other hand, tend to be flashier and, in some cases, more destructive, but add nothing to the overall surprise.
Andy Warhol gave people all the giant soup labels they could afford. It was original. However, it’s only original when you are the first one.
Do they still have plots? I get the feeling that they slap together a few memes, some high explosives, a little computer graphic effects and some pretty people. :)
The movies that leave me shaking my head are Disney’s live-action remakes of classic full-length-feature animated fairy tales. Trying to improve on perfection is worse than putting lipstick on a pig, it’s practically sacrilegious.
BE THIS GUY about 2 years ago
A movie sequel is like spending 2 hours with old friends.
codycab about 2 years ago
A sequel is whether or not you say, “Man! It’s great to these guys again!” Not just movies, of course.
Templo S.U.D. about 2 years ago
okay, Calvin, good to know
Charles Barr Premium Member about 2 years ago
And if sequels aren’t your thing, we have spinoffs and prequels.
Johnny Q Premium Member about 2 years ago
I have a feeling that many of today’s moviegoers prefer sequels to originals…
LeftCoastKen Premium Member about 2 years ago
Five bucks! Is that all they were in ‘92? Now you need to take out a second mortgage on your house … and that doesn’t cover the popcorn and soda!
alien011 about 2 years ago
Meta-irony: This is a rerun.
chuckcork1 about 2 years ago
It’s worked well for Marvel so far.
Opus Croakus about 2 years ago
Sometimes I’m convinced Bill Waterson is psychic.
orinoco womble about 2 years ago
You won’t have to worry in the future Calvin, original ideas are unknown to movies and TV now. It’s all remakes, reboots, rehashes and follow-ons.
The Reader Premium Member about 2 years ago
I hope he is not going to post photocopies of this cartoon all summer.
Bilan about 2 years ago
A rerun talking about reruns. How meta.
Susan00100 about 2 years ago
What are called “sequels” are really nothing more than “remakes”.
Check out the “Rocky” series, for example.
Calvinist1966 about 2 years ago
Watterson, of course, created a brilliant comic strip which became very popular and remains so. He had far more artistic integrity than Calvin and also achieved a popularity that Calvin never achieves.
He has explained that Calvin largely represents his immature side as an adult. On Monday, Hobbes seemed less mature than Calvin but their usual standards of maturity are now reasserting themselves.
oldspacehound about 2 years ago
Five Bucks? I wish!
jagedlo about 2 years ago
Five bucks…then there’s the popcorn and drinks…
Purple People Eater about 2 years ago
“New plot”? There are only seven of them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Basic_Plots
joegeethree about 2 years ago
Saw a sequel yesterday. Great movie. Felt bad for “Iceman.”
Count Olaf Premium Member about 2 years ago
Explains the popularity of the Marvel Universe and Batman, et al and all the other comic book to films now. Not a fan. Count me out.
dflak about 2 years ago
People like new when it comes to cars, phones and other “things.” However they don’t like new if it means they have to change.
chuckcork1 about 2 years ago
Somehow I doubt Calvin would be renting ‘Venusian Vampire Vixens 2’ and caring about the plot.
genghis.shaman about 2 years ago
more true now than it was at the time, lol
tripwire45 about 2 years ago
Yep, that’s “modern” art.
yangeldf about 2 years ago
I don’t disagree, but I don’t like his reasoning
Ed The Red Premium Member about 2 years ago
People like to imagine there was a time when Hollywood was filled with original programming and artistic integrity. Hogwash. The movie industry always has been, and always will be, a profit-making business.
Every generation treats sequels and remakes as though they were were something new. They are not. Let’s consider just one example, the brilliant “The Wizard of Oz” film from 1939. Not only is it not an original story, it’s the fourth version of it as a film.
And surely you’ve seen “The Bride of Frankenstein” (1935). It’s a sequel, filmed to capitalize on the success of the original.
In 2052, people will complain that sequels and remakes dominate the movies. And they’ll say Hollywood has changed in the last 30 years.
sandpiper about 2 years ago
A rare sequel introduces events and scenes that equal the audience reaction to the original. Faces, expressions, actions are almost the same. Special effects on the other hand, tend to be flashier and, in some cases, more destructive, but add nothing to the overall surprise.
jrankin1959 about 2 years ago
Five bucks… that’s more like the bargain cinemas these days.
Troglodyte about 2 years ago
Calvin: Poster boy for the status quo.
Will_Scarlet about 2 years ago
And how IS the latest Disney remake?
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member about 2 years ago
I want to experience new things. I just don’t want them to be unfamiliar.
willie_mctell about 2 years ago
It’s “The Accidental Tourist” all over again. And again and again,…
bobbyferrel about 2 years ago
When’s the last time anyone got into a movie for 5 bux?
Parenthetically, I remember as a kid going for a dime. Yes, that makes me superannuated.
mistercatworks about 2 years ago
Andy Warhol gave people all the giant soup labels they could afford. It was original. However, it’s only original when you are the first one.
Do they still have plots? I get the feeling that they slap together a few memes, some high explosives, a little computer graphic effects and some pretty people. :)
Jesquire about 2 years ago
Five bucks. LOL
patrickab7 about 2 years ago
From 1992.
How times change wait what.
doctorwho29 about 2 years ago
How can a kid this creative be this against originality and thought? I think he actually works at being a hypocrite. It sounds like him
Richard S Russell Premium Member about 2 years ago
The movies that leave me shaking my head are Disney’s live-action remakes of classic full-length-feature animated fairy tales. Trying to improve on perfection is worse than putting lipstick on a pig, it’s practically sacrilegious.
wiley207 about 2 years ago
And now original movies in the summer are more commonplace, compared to when it was often sequels.
g04922 about 2 years ago
Hobbes is the master of changing the subject and re-direction Calvin’s focus.
WCraft Premium Member about 2 years ago
Well, you certainly aren’t going to get any truth if it comes our of Hollywood.
josh_bisbee about 2 years ago
$5 won’t even get you the drink nowadays, forget the popcorn and ticket.
spaced man spliff about 2 years ago
Five Buxx for a Movie? When was this strip made?
Buckaroobanzai about 2 years ago
or a bad religion song that doesnt conform to format
Lightpainter about 2 years ago
Five bucks in 1992 equals $10.42 today.
The marauders about 2 years ago
He can walk to the movies him self as a six year old man times have changed
hagarthehorrible about 2 years ago
I miss Bill not continuing with this original srt. The reruns are also worth.
glowing-steak32 3 months ago
I mean, sequels are a way to revisit and expand an already-established world, maybe include some character growth.