Wrecking the Sequel

Most sequels aren't as good as the original movie that spawned them. But, how come? I have wondered about this disparity many times before, and I think Ralph Breaks the Internet can give us some clues as to why.

The original movie always gets to start off with a blank slate. That's a decidedly unfair advantage that sequels have to deal with.

Case in point. In Wreck-It Ralph our two protagonists (Ralph and Vanellope) are not yet friends. Their relationship starts out with a lot of conflict which adds interest to the plot. In the sequel, that conflict is already resolved because they are, at that point, bosom buddies.

The first film also had a better inciting incident, and also came with a villain who is kind at first but is revealed to be a devilish fiend after some mysteries of his origins are exposed.

Ralph Breaks the Internet doesn't have an antagonist at all because insecurities don't make for a good villain, just compulsive hand washing.

There's nothing in the second movie that has you wanting to "turn the page" as you would a good book. There are no mysteries or questions, nothing to really have you wondering what's going to happen next. Indeed, there are no stakes in this movie. If they fail at their endeavor, nothing terribly bad will happen. Vanellope will just have to bunk with Ralph and watch soap operas all day long until he gets off work.

This sequel isn't bad. It just isn't as great as its predecessor, but that's the case for a lot of sequels. So, Ralph Breaks the Internet is in good company at least.