As much as you always want to place Dreamworks behind the giants Disney or Pixar, the company created in 1994 by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen has managed to build not only a brilliant successful career and the top of animated films, but also its own label, with a strong personality and very different from the rest of the films in competition. Especially during the first decade of the 2000s, Dreamworks wanted, as Pixar also did, to focus on several standalone proposals and put sequels aside. That is why, taking advantage of the premiere of “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”, we review those films which, although many of them were box office failures, deserve a sequel.
However, Dreamworks’ flagships are still their small franchises, like the four “Shrek” movies, even if they’ve gradually declined (this new installment with Antonio Banderas promises to revive the “Shrekverse”); “How to Train Your Dragon”, one of the best animated trilogies in history; ‘Madagascar,’ which also went from plus to minus (with the spin-off ‘Penguins of Madagascar: The Motion Picture’); or ‘Kung Fu Panda’, another magnificent trilogy (with a fourth part announced for 2024) which put new iconic characters of 2000s animation on everyone’s lips such as Shifu, Tigre or Po himself.
10 Dreamworks Movies That Deserve A Sequel
1 “Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas”
Undoubtedly, “Sinbad” (which shared the year with another pirate milestone like “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”) established itself as one of Dreamworks’ best films by adapting the traditional Arab tale. His lighthearted and mischievous style managed to register in the audience’s memory the charisma of his two protagonists, Sinbad and Marina, as well as the villain, the goddess Eris (who was so reminiscent of Hades from “Hercules” for her mercurial design and its condition). of divinity). With some amazing set pieces in terms of production and action, what has aged the worst is that 3D animation (especially that of the monsters) which gives the sensation of being globes embedded in a cinematic video game. Despite everything, there are many adventures that could still await Sinbad and his crew in a sequel, whether (as the pirate captain himself says) through the cave of the Cyclops, under the bridge of the Marsh Sea or across the China Sea. .
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas on eCartelera
2 “Megamind”
In 2010, with the Marvel Cinematic Universe almost in its infancy and the DC Universe about to kick off with ‘Man of Steel’, Dreamworks wanted to get closer to the animated superhero, just like Pixar did with ‘The Incredibles’. That’s how she gave birth ‘Megamind’, a film that reformulated the classic confrontation between the superhero and the current super-villain, as well as their symbiotic need to coexist. When Megamind defeats his nemesis, Metro Man, he is left with no goals or aspirations. He will have to create another superhero to have fun with, but he won’t go as planned. Though a sequel would now add to the long list of superhero movies ravaging the billboard every month, Dreamworks could capitalize on the momentum and return to the fray with the voices of Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Brad Pitt and company.
Megamind in eCartelera
3 “The Tale of the Shark”
Never has a fish been so cheeky and exploited as Oscar, even if, as usual, he would end up learning his lesson. This was another minor failure from Dreamworks, perhaps due to its horrendous designs, its so-so animation, or the feeling that it hardly innovates at all. But the truth is that ‘El espantatiburones’ was an unscrupulous hooliganism that paid homage to classics like ‘The Godfather’ or ‘Gladiator’ with absurd and witty humor. Also, an interesting (and ahead of its time) bet was made with the character of Lenny (Jack Black). If a sequel is made, we’re just asking that, in addition to continuing to explore that undersea background, you go back to Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese in the original version; as well as with Fernando Tejero and María Ádanez in the dubbed version.
The Scarecrow by eCartelera
4 ‘Spirit, the indomitable steed’
If we take into account that the infamous 2021 film ‘Spirit-Indomitable’ was so irrelevant that it bordered on non-existence, we can state that a Dreamworks film as powerful as “Spirit, the indomitable steed” would be considered one of the first films to have a sequel. In the Far West, in the midst of the colonization and conquest of America, a wild and rebellious mustang horse is captured by the colonists and must fight for his liberation, forming alliances and falling in love with the most unexpected individuals along the way. The film would be a powerful and fresh ode to freedom, with friendly characters who would earn a place in the audience’s hearts. The soundtrack by Hans Zimmer, as well as the song list by Bryan Adams, complete a more than remarkable work for the studio.
Spirit: eCartelera’s indomitable steed
5 ‘Bee movie’
One of Dreamworks’ craziest bets deserves a second part just to see where the (creepy) “closeness” between the bee Barry and the flower seller Vanessa Bloome leads. With a somewhat ugly but successful animation, “Bee Movie” proves to be a film that is shameless, carefree and, indeed, proud of its macabre evolution into something fresh and knowingly revolutionary.. Though it has come to reinvent the formulaic formula of a worker bee’s ennui in the face of its low life expectancy and aspirations at the edge of the hive, the film contains macabre twists and grotesque ideas which, however suggestive and eccentric whether the storyline does, it can get to saturating. Also, it contains cameos by Ray Liotta and Sting. If those aren’t enough reasons to warrant a sequel, let God come down and see.
Bee Movie on eCartelera
6 “Chicken Run: Escape from the Farm”
Featuring amazing music by John Powell, who also provided the soundtrack for things like ‘Shrek’, ‘Kung Fu Panda’ or ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, “Chicken Run: Farm Escape” is a highly underrated clay exercise from Dreamworks and Aardman Animations. With well-developed characters like Ginger, Rocky or Fowler and with a plasticity that only stop motion gives you, the film by Nick Park and Peter Lord has become one of the most claimable works of this studio. Our wishes came true when Netflix announced the sequel for 2023 with Sam Fell (from the house, since he previously directed ‘Mousepolis’) at the controls.
Chicken Run: Movie’n’co farm escape
7 “The Way to El Dorado”
What started as a real box office flop ended up becoming a real jewel of the new century animation, with a second life thanks to memes and social networks. Released in the year 2000, ‘La ruta hacia el Dorado’ ushered in the century, becoming not only a Dreamworks icon, but also the perfect example of how to portray the figure of the average Spaniard: trickster, loyalist, liar and playboy. With music by Hans Zimmer and songs by Elton John, the film by Bibo Bergeron and Don Paul was filled with wry humor, wacky adventures and hilarious antics. Many of us were left wanting to know what was going on with Chel, Miguel and Tulio. Maybe because of… new continents? Make it possible, Dreamworks.
The path to El Dorado at eCartelera
8 ‘antz (ant)’
Why not? It’s true that the first Dreamworks film was a whim of Jeffrey Katzenberg after his departure from Disney. And it’s true that its counterpart and competitor, “Bugs, an Adventure in Miniature,” was superior in virtually every respect. But ‘Antz (Ant)’ continues to be an enjoyable and highly entertaining twist on the discourse of individual versus community or the search for identity in a conglomerate, prefabricated tangle. If there is a sequel (which, probably, no one asks for), the least is that it repeats the incredible voice cast of the original: Woody Allen, Sharon Stone, Sylvester Stallone, Meryl Streep or Jennifer López.
Formica (ant) to eCartelera
9 “The Prince of Egypt”
Considered by many to be Dreamworks’ best film, ‘The Prince of Egypt’ launched the company alongside ‘Antz (Ant)’ in 1998, resulting in a great film of adventure, story and song that has marked several generations . Based on an adaptation of the Book of Exodus, it tells the story of brothers Ramses (Ralph Fiennes) and Moses (Val Kilmer), from their childhood to the departure of the Jews from Egypt and the attainment of the Tablets of the Law. According to legend, Spielberg looked at Katzenberg during an executive meeting and said: “You must do the Ten Commandments”. The success of ‘The Prince of Egypt’ also lay in showing religion from a dynamic, entertaining and musical point of view, without neglecting the seriousness and epic and without forgetting the solemnity involved in dealing with issues of this caliber. That’s why, while a continuation of this particular story isn’t appropriate, Dreamworks could continue in this vein of adapting religious passages as long as they’re as accurate and effective as this one.
The Prince of Egypt to eCartelera
10 ‘mice’
After collaborating with Dreamworks in the creation of “Chicken Run: Farm Escape” and “Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Vegetables”, Aarmand Animation has become one of the studios of choice when it comes to animating stop motion clay. Their next project together would be “Mousepolis” which, while maintaining the same essence in aesthetics when it came to recreating its characters, was the company’s first fully computer-animated film. As water played an almost starring role, they decided not to opt for claymation as the result was not convincing. The rodent comedy directed by David Bowers and Sam Fell was a hit thanks to its gripping story and, above all, a rich universe filled with mice parodying the London way of life. With plenty of pop culture references and a family-friendly prank fest, this little Aarmand gem lends itself to, if nothing else, a sequel.
Mousepolis on eCartelera
Other sequels that Dreamworks has made throughout its history have ended up being diluted in the large catalog offered by the studio. There are, for example, “Trolls 2: World Tour”, “The Croods: A New Era” or “The Boss Baby: Family Business”. However, from here we urge Dreamworks to, in the same way that happened with “Puss in Boots”, give the green light to sequels to films that, despite having had little presence at the box office, helped shape the overwhelming personality from an animation giant like Dreamworks it is (and always will be).
Source: E Cartelera
Bernice Bonaparte is an author and entertainment journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a passion for pop culture and a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest entertainment news, Bernice has become a trusted source for information on the entertainment industry.
