An “Unbreakable” Sequel

It seems nowadays that almost every movie gets a sequel. And sequels get threequels. And threequels get prequels. And then prequels get reboots and we start the cycle all over. And when all else fails of course, we resort to making sequels out of films from 10+ years ago that might never really warrant one.

Currently in production is a sequel to the cult hit “Boondock Saints”. Also we have sequels to Crank, Heck, even Baby Genuises got a sequel…

One film that looks like it won’t get a sequel even though it was originally setup to be a franchise is Unbreakable, the 2nd film by M. Night Shyamalan after his break out success with the Sixth Sense. It took a realistic approach to how super-heros might work and live in the real world, much like the tv show Heroes does currently, though without the same level of special effects and sci-fi/fantasy tie ins.

Though it bombed commercially at the box office, it did meet with success with critics. Given his recent failings both commercially and critically, as well as the generally wearing thin of public patience over his patented formula of building up a film before throwing a dramatic twist at the end, Shyamalan might do well to revisit this franchise which really stands as his last artful success.

I really enjoy this film, I think that he is moving in an interesting direction with the characters and is actually wrestling with some of the same dark ideas that the Dark Knight does when it comes to the reluctant hero. Getting Bruce Willis and Sam Jackson to reprise their roles would also help yield some acting credibility to the film and certainly would draw people back in. They played off each other rather well and now that they know “who each other really are”…it would be an interesting storyline to see where their “friendship” goes. Are they destined to be reluctant enemies like Professor Xavier and Magneto, or just become all out rivals like Superman and Lex Luthor?

At the end of the first film there is no clear indication and a second installment could definitely explore that. As well as the idea that Bruce Willis’ character might not be alone in the world of super-heros. So who else is out there and what can they do? That storyline does sound a lot like the plot of Heroes through the first 1.5 seasons, but given the darker more hyper real storyline of Unbreakable…it looks like there would be room in popculture for more than one study of Superheros.

Here’s to hoping that Shyamalan decides to get on with a sequel and brings us back to a film with strong story elements and interesting characters. Just as long as at the end of it we don’t find out that Bruce Willis actually just has cancer and is reliving a constant dream that is side effects of his treatment…