Bill Oduory with ten disappointing 80s comedy sequels…
The 1980s marked the golden era of comedy, with timeless masterpieces like Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, and Princess Bride coming to life in the decade. The continued widespread popularity of the many comedy films released films at the time encouraged studios to cash in by producing sequels. However, not all sequels manage to replicate the magic of their predecessors, and if not properly executed, they distort the fans’ impression of the original film and can damage it altogether.
While the plethora of unforgettable comedy films from the ’80s are still a welcome source of entertainment for many classic comedy fans today, some of their sequels just didn’t impress, and in some cases, totally destroyed the original storylines. From forced humor and recycled plots to the absence of key cast members, these comedy sequels tarnished the legacies of their predecessors. While the legacy of most original 80s blockbuster comedies still endures, it is important to also look at these ten sequels that stained the legacy of some of the decade’s best comedy films…
The Blues Brothers 2000: It Was All For Nothing
The Blues Brothers, released in 1980, was one of the best comedy films from the 1980s, especially because of the chemistry between John Belushi (Jake) and Day Aykroyd (Elwood). In the original movie, the two friends mobilize former members of their R&B band to raise funds for the orphanage where they grew up to save it from being demolished. The movie was a huge success, but a sequel was always going to be difficult after John Belushi’s death because his charm turned Jake into the star of the film. The studios still greenlit the sequel, focussing on Aykroyd’s character (Elwood) supported by a celebrity-studded cast including John Goodman.
The sequel was a box office bomb, with a shaky storyline that distorted everything that was good about the original film. The film starts with Elwood coming out of prison after serving 18 years, for the events in the previous film, which is way too harsh. Elwood is then informed that his brother was killed, practically re-slapping viewers with news of Belushi’s death. The movie also says the orphanage was destroyed despite the brothers managing to save it in the first film, belittling the entire plot of the original movie. Despite featuring cameos by several musicians, Blues Brothers 2000 was heavily criticized for failing to capture the spirit of the original film and destroying its memory.
Caddyshack II (1988): A Swing and a Miss
The original Caddyshack (1980) was a golf-centric comedy masterpiece, following the hilarious antics at the Bushwood Country Club. Starring comedic legends like Chevy Chase and Bill Murray, the film became a classic. A sequel was always highly anticipated, but chaos ensued behind the scenes making the recreation of the magic almost impossible. Caddyshack II is now considered one of the worst sequels ever made, and even cameo appearances by Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase did little to save it.
The sequel’s uninspired plot, recycled gags, and lackluster chemistry among the new cast members failed to recreate the original’s charm. The exit of Harold Ramis who co-wrote and directed Caddyshack, followed by Rodney Dangerfield who was initially expected to play the lead role forced the creators to make huge changes at the last minute, creating a cast led by Jackie Mason that had neither chemistry nor the love for golf, killing the whole snobs vs slobs vibe of the original film.
Ghostbusters II (1989): Diminishing the Supernatural Spark
The original Ghostbusters (1984) was a supernatural comedy sensation, combining the talents of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson in a ghost-busting adventure. The sequel, Ghostbusters II, reprises the team in action as they face a new paranormal threat. While the original film earned a global following that has seen it become one of the biggest supernatural comedy franchises ever created, Ghostbusters II nearly ruined the franchise altogether.
While it had its moments, Ghostbusters II struggled to capture the fresh and spontaneous energy of the first film. The artificial-looking plot elements, created in attempts to replicate the original’s success, diluted the supernatural spark that made Ghostbusters an instant classic. The sequel also portrays the Ghostbusters as desperate losers struggling to make ends meet just five years after saving New York City, which demeans the achievements of the first film. The desperate tweaks eventually leave fans with a sense of nostalgia rather than the laughter they had initially experienced.
Porky’s II: The Next Day (1983): A Tasteless Return
Porky’s (1981) was a raunchy teen sex comedy that pushed boundaries and became a box office hit. The film follows a group of high school friends seeking revenge on a strip club owner, Porky, who cheated them when they sought his help in their aim to break their virginity. Porky’s was an instant hit in the theatres, becoming one of the highest-grossing films in 1981, but the sequel that followed it in 1983 was anything but a sex comedy.
In Porky’s II: The Next Day, the focus shifts to the teens’ efforts to stage a controversial Shakespearean play while taking on the local faction of the Ku Klux Klan. Despite the story sounding interesting, the abrupt departure from the original’s formula and the tasteless attempt at humor left audiences unsatisfied. Porky’s II lacked the charm and audacity that made the first film a success. The sequel makes an attempt to look decent and sound politically correct, turning it into more of a street protest than a sex comedy.
Fletch Lives (1989): Fletching Away the Laughs
Fletch (1985) saw the best of Chevy Chase’s comedic genius as he plays the investigative reporter Irwin M. Fletcher. The film, which follows Fletcher as he investigates the illegal dealings of a shady millionaire Gail Stanwyk, was a big hit. It uses Fletcher’s love for brutal revenge plots to deliver comedy from the least predictable of scenes. While the clever writing and Chase’s charismatic performance earned the original film a cultic following, its 1989 sequel, Fletch Lives was wide off the mark.
Placing Fletch in a Southern inheritance scandal, the sequel lacks the original’s sharp storytelling and relies too heavily on recycled gags. In Fletcher Lives, Fletcher investigates the mysterious figures behind the chemical pollution of an 80-acre plantation left to him by his aunt in Louisiana. However, the attempt to transplant Fletch into a new setting diminished the character’s appeal. Besides, there is little connection between the new film and the ending of its original. The new Fletch doesn’t seem to have the spark either, and the story’s thin storyline fails to recapture the laughs that made the first film memorable.
Cannonball Run II (1984): Stalling at the Starting Line
The original Cannonball Run (1981) was a star-studded, cross-country race filled with comedic chaos and car chases. Featuring Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, and an ensemble cast, the film became a lighthearted favorite delivering laughter in every scene despite the film’s intensity. Unfortunately, the creativity that turns every character into a fan favorite in the original film wasn’t recreated in any of the sequels.
Despite having a way bigger budget and more A-listers in its cast, Cannonball Run II took all the fun out of the film while trying to recreate the experience of its predecessor. The sequel feels like a forced reunion rather than a natural continuation of the original, with little chemistry between the teams and no memorable lines as was the case in the original film. The recycled jokes and lack of fresh comedic material made it a lackluster follow-up, failing to capture the spontaneity that made the first film a joyride.
Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987): Disorder in Sequelville
Police Academy (1984) introduced audiences to a group of misfit police recruits, resulting in a hilarious blend of slapstick and situational comedy as they attempt to fit into their new careers. The film has been credited for redefining slapstick comedy, earning a cultic following in the process. Police Academy became the sixth highest-grossing comedy in 1984 just after Porky’s despite its low budget, thanks to its rib-cracking storyline which deserved a sequel. While most of the early sequels refreshed the original film’s hilariousness, Police Academy 4 didn’t.
By the time Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol arrived, the formula had grown tired, as was the audience who were looking forward to the injection of new life in the franchise. The original’s charm lay in the characters’ eccentricities and the chaos that ensued during their training, but this sequel struggled to find new comedic ground, relying on recycled gags and predictable scenarios. The addition of a citizens’ patrol program only made the film worse.
Stir Crazy: The Sitcom (1985-1986) – Stirred to Mediocrity
Stir Crazy (1980) paired Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder in a prison comedy that resonated with audiences. It follows the misfortunes of two friends, Skip (Wilder) and Harry (Pryor), who end up in prison after being framed for a bank robbery. The chemistry between the two comedic giants elevated the film into a timeless classic, earning it a cultic following that made it ripe for a sequel.
CBS decided to bring Stir Crazy 2, as a sitcom in 1985, starring Larry Riley as Harry Fletcher and Joseph Guzaldo as Skip Harrington replacing Pryor and Wilder. In the Sitcom, Harry and Skip are framed and sentenced to 132 years in jail for a crime they didn’t commit, and, just like in the feature film, they escape and track down the person who committed the crime. The sitcom’s entire storyline feels like a patched-up skeleton of the original and fails to capture the same magic that the original cast brought.
Teen Wolf Too (1987): Howling in Disappointment
The original Teen Wolf, released in 1985, follows the story of Scott Howard a high school student, (played by Michael J. Fox) who discovers he’s a werewolf, leading to comedic chaos as he tries to adapt to his supernatural reality. The film’s success, largely attributed to Fox’s charismatic performance, earned a cultic following that continues to enjoy the franchise which now includes an animated series, a long-running live-action series, and a continuation movie released in 2022.
However, the original film’s immediate sequel (Teen Wolf Too), released in 1987, is one to forget. The film, which replaced Fox with Jason Bateman in the lead role, makes a total mess of its predecessor’s excellent comedy. The sequel’s plot also feels recycled, laden with uninspired attempts at humor that paled in comparison to the original.
Arthur 2: On the Rocks (1988): A Watered-Down Cocktail
Arthur (1981) is Steve Gordon a comedic gem starring Dudley Moore as a lovable, wealthy drunkard navigating the challenges of love and responsibility. Despite being a classic wealthy prince falling for the farmer’s daughter love story, everything about the main characters is addictive, with unconventional sources of humor that make the film irresistible. The film’s charm lay in Moore’s endearing performance and the witty writing.
The film’s end was largely conclusive, but the studios decided to create a sequel in 1988, an attempt that backfired terribly. Arthur 2: On The Rocks attempts to continue Arthur’s story, but the plot lacks the depth and humor of the first film. Moore’s charm couldn’t salvage a script that felt like a rehash, and the forced attempt at recapturing the original’s magic left audiences with a diluted version of the beloved character.
Billy Oduory