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Have you noticed these trends?

1. No More Numbers

Studios are less likely to number the films in a franchise (Lethal Weapon, 2, 3, 4). This is for several reasons: using a subtitle gives a snapshot of the plot, the audience is lost after 3, eliminates obscurity and a studio's perceived greed.

Would you really go see X-Men 6? Hell no. Would you go see X-Men: Apocalypse? Hell yes! Would you go see Jurassic Park 4? [Yawn.] How about Jurassic World? [Boing!]

Besides the title itself, the audience has been condition by the law of threes, that is, Three Acts, Three in a row, Three strikes, you're out. Some of the greatest franchises are trilogies: The Matrix series, The Dark Knight series, Fist Full of Dollars series, Lord of the Rings series, Hobbit series. Star Wars loves trilogies so much, it's on its third trilogy; a trilogy of trilogies!

With this established pattern, it would be difficult for even a successful film franchise to step beyond a third film. This is why it's highly PHENOMENAL that the X-Men films have saved themselves from extinction (all thanks to DOFP).

This new trend of placing [colon, words] instead of a number will continue, thanks to the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Thor: The Dark World).

2. No More Reboots

Fewer desperate reboots, and fewer "try too hard" sequels. This is the age of the "Re-invented Sequel." The re-invented sequel is one that does NOT disregard previous mythos, but DOES give us new characters and a completely fresh setting for the story to continue.

The Predator franchise epitomizes this concept because each film in the series is different. The scenes, Predators, and prey never appear twice. The Purge series also follows this formula with its story revolving around the annual purge, but each film focusing on a different purge/situation.

Transformers: Age of Extinction falls into this category, but it somehow slid into "try too hard" sequel
by the end.

Upcoming re-invented sequels are: Jurassic World, untitled Predator film, Terminator (formerly Terminator: Genesis), Mad Max: Road Fury.

3. Cinematic Universes

A cinematic universe is a collection of franchises and crossover films that are set in the same fictional universe. The scientific continuity, as well as character development are maintained through every film in the cinematic universe.

The prime example is the Marvel Cinematic Universe; its characters have standalone films and appear in crossover films to team up as the Avengers. These films are produced by Marvel Studios (owned by Disney).

Full Size, Here

Also in the superhero side, there is the Fox Cinematic Universe. This includes the X-Men franchise and eventually will included crossovers with the Fantastic Four (assuming this desperate reboot finds success).

Another try was the Alien vs. Predator franchise, but it failed to gain traction.

Rumors have the Transformers franchise crossing over with the G.I. Joe franchise, but two shaky franchises may not yield a strong universe. On the other hand, these two classics have met before in the comics, so there is precedent for a stronger story than either franchise has produced thus far.

4. Ratings Creep

We have have noticed the increasing amounts of sex, and mostly, violence that goes on in a PG-13 film...and we're okay with that.

This is likely an unspoken deal between the studios and the MPAA to boost ticket sales.

5. Neutered Action
Fewer action films carryout complex stunts without completely flooding the scene with computer generated effects. Nothing is wrong with augmentation and movie magic, but it should not be a test digital art skills over digital composites (with real objects).

This is Christopher Nolan's use of digital composites. He is known for using this method over full CGI sequences.

This is the most irksome action sequence EVER. It's literally 97% CGI. Only Hawkeye and the final shot of Thor are real. Why did they make this film live-action?



THIS is action! If it's not hand-to-hand combat, then it should be destructive car chases and high octane thrills (with real fire).


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