When Is It Too Late For A Movie Sequel?

The Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)

Top tip: If your classic movie is based upon a comedy double-act that was first developed and cemented on a globally recognized live sketch show, and one half of that comedy double-act tragically dies, it is best not to make a sequel – even if the remaining half of the act has continued on in the role, off-screen. But, Dan Aykroyd and his cohorts did not heed this advice, and proceeded to sully the good name of The Blues Brothers with a sequel so substandard as to barely be worthy of mention in the same breath as its predecessor.

The Blues Brothers – released in 1980 – is an exceptional movie. Based upon the comedy musical act developed by the late, great John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, it centres on Jake and Elwood Blues, and their mission from God. With Jake newly released from prison, the brothers return to their childhood orphanage – only to hear that it is under threat and in dire need of financial assistance. The brothers travel across the country to get the band back together and perform a huge concert to raise the money and save the children. But, being Jake and Elwood, they manage to incur the wrath of the Chicago police, state troopers, stalker ex-girlfriends, and a Nazi militia in the process.

The original is tight, zany and hilarious, with excellent music and an impressive supporting cast. The sequel – though written and directed by the same team of Dan Aykroyd and John Landis – is instantly forgettable, by contrast. Re-working the original premise, it is now Elwood who is released from prison, 18 years after the first movie. He finds that his brother has died, his childhood orphanage has been destroyed, and the nun that raised him needs him to mentor a young tearaway. He also hears that his own, deceased mentor has a son, and so sets out to get the band back together, and find him.

The reason that The Blues Brothers worked so well is because it had a very clear and simple plot. The brothers were on a mission to raise money for an orphanage – and mayhem ensued. Blues Brothers 2000, on the other hand, lacked that clear mission. The entire thing feels like an excuse to re-visit the concept, as opposed to actually having a worthwhile story to tell. While the original featured a compelling plot, interspersed with great music, the sequel has forgettable musical set-pieces strung together with a pointless narrative. In conclusion, it was really better never than late.