Topping Pigs: Should Disney Make Sequels to its Animated Movies?

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3 weeks ago

*** This is a user-submitted post by Brad Williamson. ***

When Disney’s 1933 Silly Symphony short The Three Little Pigs turned out to be a massive success, fans (and theater owners) were clamoring for a sequel. Walt Disney was strongly encouraged to make more stories about the zany adventures of the three little pigs.

Not only was Walt persuaded to make a follow up to The Three Little Pigs, but he eventually made three: The Big Bad Wolf, Three Little Wolves, and The Practical Pig. (He also added some scenes to the original for 1941’s World War II propaganda film The Thrifty Pig.) None of the cartoons had as much success as the first.

Upon seeing the less-than-stellar performance of the sequels, Walt famously quipped, “You can’t top pigs with pigs.”

Walt was a man who was all about pushing creativity to new levels. Finding new stories and new ways to tell old stories. The whole concept of the Silly Symphony cartoons came about as a way to try new ideas, new techniques, and new ways of telling stories. Making a sequel to Pigs was not the direction he wanted his company to go. He had already done pigs.

Which leads us to the question: “Should Disney be making sequels to its animated movies?” With Frozen 2 and Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2 on the horizon, it seems that Disney is not shying away from the cash grab that comes with a theatrical sequel.

Let’s take a quick look at the its track record.

Toy Story 2 and 3 were both terrific sequels. Many would say that Monsters University was a worthy installation. (Yeah, I know it’s a prequel, but we’ll go with it.) Cars 2 was pretty rough, but Cars 3 is trying to redeem the franchise. So, all-in-all, not too bad… but wait! Those are all Pixar. How about Disney proper?

In the official Disney canon, there are only four movies which are considered to be sequels: The Three Caballeros, The Rescuers Down Under, Fantasia 2000, and Winnie the Pooh. All of these were charming, but utterly forgettable films. And of course, all of the straight-to-video sequels, prequels, and midquels have been atrocious.

And why stop there? Return to Neverland, Planes, and Planes: Fire and Rescue all got theatrical releases, but were not considered worthy to be put into the official canon. Just to make this a little more difficult to follow, Planes and Planes: Fire and Rescue are a series of Disney movies which are spin-offs from a series of Pixar movies!

Often times, a lackluster sequel hurts the integrity of the original.

Disney animation is currently helmed by Edwin Catmull and John Lasseter, two of the original Pixar founders. Does that mean that the Disney sequels are headed for the same success as the Pixar sequels? Or will they merely end up as an interesting side-note that we read on Disney Wiki while we bide our time waiting for the next original project?

Personally, I would always prefer a new idea to something we’ve already seen. Taking a chance on a new idea is how we get gems like Inside Out and Moana. Creative ideas that inspire young people to be the next generation of animators and storytellers. Finding Dory is not going to spark the imagination that Zootopia does because we already saw it a few years ago when it was called Finding Nemo.

Sequels are fun. They make us laugh and cry and remember the good times we had the last time we were with the characters. I will continue to see them as long Disney keeps pumping them out. I’ll see their live-action remakes too. But…

Should Disney be making sequels to their animated movies? I say no. They will never be as recognized or as inspired as an original. They will entertain and they will definitely make money, but they will always be wanting. The effort to force in old characters and tie up loose threads hinder sequel plots and reused jokes feel stale. That is energy that would be better spent bringing us new characters and new stories because as Walt said, “You can’t top pigs with pigs.”

What do you think? Should Disney stop making movie sequels?

Edited by: MJ Edwards

Braden

I’m always interested in returning to see some of my favourite characters, but I would much rather Disney continue doing shorts as opposed to feature length sequels. Tangled Ever After, and Frozen Fever were great, and now Olaf’s Frozen Adventure is proving that longer installments can be introduced as well for a full movie going experience. I think Zootopia and Moana definitely lend themselves perfectly to this formula, and I would much rather see theatrical shorts (weather they be 7 minutes, or 21 minutes) as opposed to feature length sequels. But the story trust at WDAS hasn’t failed yet, so we’ll see how Wreck-It Ralph and Frozen 2 turn out.
- Brad Williamson
  
  That’s a good thought. The shorts are reliably entertaining!
aquapyro

Depends. Like Fantasia and Rescuers were great sequels and Winnie the Pooh and Three Caballeros are underrated classics but I think they should follow what Tangled and Big Hero 6 are doing. Make TV shows that continue the adventure without using resources for an actual movie.

I’m not that excited for WDAS sequels but ill go see them but I really don’t see it necessary after all the Frozen craze has seriously calmed down much quicker than we thought and I don’t find Ralph’s premise for the second movie that appealing.
- Manuel Orozco
  
  Maybe Moana can follow suit with the TV show pattern as the title character takes the next steps to deciding the kind of chief she will someday be.
- Brad Williamson
  
  TV shows are a great way to play it. They can try TV for less money and keep making original idea for the movies… which they can later turn into TV shows!
Sebastian

Tv specials would be good ideas for their movies. At least as a starter, but with quality animation. Then the second step is television series cause it gives more doors for character development if done right. It be interesting to see how Disney handle Ralph 2. I actually miss when Disney made their shows with Disney Classic characters. Like Baloo in Tale Spin. I seriously would love to see a Dumbo series revolving the concept of flying and exploration.
- Manuel Orozco
  
  At least I’m enjoying Tangled so far. So I agree a tv show would be nice like Zootopia with Judy and Nick going on different cases that lead to the big one if each season. A third step would be keep continuity steady.
- Brad Williamson
  
  That Dumbo show is a very clever idea!
  - Manuel Orozco
    
    I don’t know if I’m up for Dumbo since Disney already did something of the kind back in the 80’s with Dumbo’s Flying Circus.
Blake Taylor

I think it will be interesting to see how Wreck-It Ralph 2 and Frozen 2 turn out because of the very reasons you stated: Disney Animation hasn’t really done sequels before. Of its 4 “sequels,” Rescuers Down Under is really the only sequel in the true sense of the word, and that was developed by a different team than its original.

This means Ralph 2 and Frozen 2 are truly the first time the studio has developed sequels in the ways that other studios always have. This is new territory, and that’s both exciting and nerve-racking.
- Brad Williamson
  
  I agree. Those sequels are more like copied ideas more than continuing stories, with the exception of The Rescuers Down Under. I’m leery of straight sequels after the Ice Age, Shreck, and Land Before Time efforts from non-Disney studios.
Dimitris Koliniatis

Personallly, I agree that original films are much more entertaining, but from Disney’s perspective, sequels do better in the box office than originals (70% of the time) and quite honestly, if I have to choose between a movie that I have never seen and a movie from a franchise I know and love, I’ll choose the sequel. Therefore, I feel like Disney should keep making sequels, as long as they are needed. Frozen’s ending was spectacular, but it left a lot of space for a future installment, with many questions unanswered. Ralph, on the other hand, also had a great ending but I don’t think it deserves a sequel, since it wraped the plot pretty nicely and it isn’t considered one of disney’s most succesful films, like Frozen, Zootopia or ever Tangled are.
- Manuel Orozco
  
  I do agree about watching sequels as long as they are needed. However, I disagree about Wreck It Ralph since they are possibilities in exploring the world of the movie with each likely story.
  - Brad Williamson
    
    I was never a huge fan of Wreck It Ralph. But I think you’re right: as long as there are computers, there are stories for Ralph.
    - Manuel Orozco
      
      I loved it and I’m okay with your opinion. Been a while since I’ve watched it actually. Only two times
- Brad Williamson
  
  I agree. I tend to see sequels of franchises that I love. Except in cartoons. For some reason, I am rarely happy with an animated sequel. But they do have a guaranteed audience, which is nice.
  - Manuel Orozco
    
    I tend to see sequels to franchises I like live action or animation. However I don’t blame you since I liked the first two Ice Age movies but stopped watching afterwards.
Manuel Orozco

I say let’s get through Wreck It Ralph 2 and Frozen 2 first before we all decide if we want more on the silver screen from our favorite characters.
Jeremiah

Yes! I can’t wait for Wreck it Ralph and Frozen 2. They’ve gone so long without making sequels, they’ve proven they make movies for their merits. Heck, Wreck it Ralph 2 is all about merit and not money. It was one of their LESSER earning movies. Presumably then, it’s mainly about wanting to continue building this world and develop these great characters. I’m here for that!
- Brad Williamson
  
  That’s awesome! I hope you’re right!
Marielle

I love orignal films and I’ll always be more interested in checking out a new movie over a sequel. I go to the theater for Disney and Pixar originals, I’m fine watching sequels at home when they come out on Netflix. I also want to encourage new ideas and risks.
- Manuel Orozco
  
  Personally for me, I’ll be equal with sequels and originality.
- Brad Williamson
  
  I do the same thing! I wait until they hit the Redbox before seeing a sequel. I’m interested in Cars 3, but I can wait. 🙂
  - Manuel Orozco
    
    Cars 3 was amazing!
Haley Gilbertson

I agree it is sometimes pointless to continue the story on movies that ended really nicely from Disney, but I still like to be optimistic on this
I really enjoy seeing what kinds of ideas they might be expanding on in the sequel, true it may not be warranted but its just part of the ride and I enjoy being on that ride and exploring possibilities for always just fun to see from a good perspective and even sometimes bad. But what do I know, I for one am excited (right in this moment without knowing all the facts) for what they have in store for Wreck it Ralph 2 and Frozen 2 thats for sure
- Brad Williamson
  
  I like your optimism!
RailFan

I think they should focus on putting out more original content and only do
sequels if they have a story for the squeal that complements the original.
- Manuel Orozco
  
  Agreed. Speaking of sequels, what did you think of Cars 3?
- Brad Williamson
  
  I agree. They did well with the Toy Story sequels because they had good stories before pushing forward.
Yellow

I say yes, Disney should make sequels, but ideally if there’s room for more story to tell or passion for the project (and yeah, both of those are subjective). The first Wreck-It Ralph concludes pretty seamlessly, but there’s a lot of potential with its world-building, which the sequel will expand when it introduces the internet. Since the filmmakers are so excited to see these characters again in this world (which I think I’ve read in articles about the sequel), it’d seem there’s enough passion to fuel a good second installment.

Frozen on the other hand…you can tell by my profile picture that I like this movie quite a bit. Again, I think it wrapped up well, though I personally don’t see much potential for more story. The original stands as something of a modern classic for its twist on a classic Disney trope, among other things. What is its sequel going to do? Even with a smash soundtrack, it would somehow have to top or at least match the risks and freshness of the first movie. I think part of that will lie in how it handles Elsa, since she’s a rather unique character among Disney leads for being driven by fear instead of bubbly or optimistic like her sister. If they keep her that way, they’ll have to avoid being too similar to the original. And if they make her more like she is in Frozen Fever, well, they’re not going to have such a stand-out character anymore.

It definitely seems to me that Frozen is getting a sequel, unsurprisingly, for its massive success. That is, it’s doing it for the money and not because they had a story they were dying to tell. That’s not to say we can’t get a good sequel, just that the motive for making the movie is different I think from how the Wreck-It Ralph sequel got greenlit. As another commenter said, WIR was, although successful, one of the lower-performances of the Revival era. In any case, I think we are in the midst of a new era for Disney animation, for better or for worse.
- Manuel Orozco
  
  I agree with everything you said. Except I’m okay with Frozen 2 as long as Anna and Kristoff have their wedding after going steady for possibly several years and she and Elsa are given more screen time together.
- Brad Williamson
  
  There’s no question that the Frozen sequel is all about the money. It was such a massive success and permeated pop culture for so long that it was inevitable. But I think now a lot of people have finally let it go. 😉
  - Manuel Orozco
    
    I have to admit. I was looking forward to the movie 4 years ago because it had potential to live up to the new Disney diva standards Tangled had set and so much more. My overall opinion was exactly as I thought it would be but Frozen itself wasn’t all I expected where the story, themes and music would have blended seamlessly. After the DVD release and Oscar wins, the publicity Frozen was gaining started to slowly become overwhelming for me to handle. Luckily, things have died down a little.
    - dlizsehshus
      
      So you admit you really have no opinion? Your view of a film depends how popular or how unpopular it is. Sorry i have no respect for those type of people. To me you just sound like a fake film fan.
      
      I love Frozen because in my own opinion I thought it was a great film. I dont care if only 5 people or a billion people saw it and liked it. Or if people hate it because its popular.
      
      In my own eyes i like the film.
      - Manuel Orozco
        
        I do like the movie yes but I didn’t find it rewatch material (no hypocrisy intended). But we can agree, Frozen itself was beautifully animated, occasionally funny, surprisingly heartfelt and musically spectacular.
      - dlizsehshus
        
        Yet you just admitted earlier that you no longer like the film because it became popular to almost everyone.
      - Manuel Orozco
        
        I do of course but I didn’t think the popularity was going to get that out of hand. Can you just respect my honesty?
      - dlizsehshus
        
        Popularity always gets out of hand. Look at Star Wars its so popular people have dedicated their lives to it.
        
        Nope. Because it has nothing to do with the Film. Thats like me calling the Mona Lisa Garbage just because many people like it. Ill never respect people who view art in that way.
      - Manuel Orozco
        
        I respect Star Wars because of it’s forty year history. And fine be that way
      - dlizsehshus
        
        Well I respect Frozen for being a great film so meh.
        
        I didnt ask for your permission?
  - dlizsehshus
    
    Meh all movies are done to make money. So I dont know why your making it sound like you found the meaning of life by pointing out that the Frozen sequel is about the money.
    
    But I think claiming its Only about the money is wrong on so many levels. First off Frozen 2 will be a theatrical feature, Second the budget will be the same if not more than the original, and third everyone will be back including the people who made it.
    
    If it was all about the money Disney could have just released the film on DTV, made it for the fraction of the original, and hire cheap replacements for the original cast and the producers and directors. The same way they treated the Renessience films in the 90s.
The Dreamer

I prefer originals. There are still a ton of fairy tales, fables, myths and books that Disney could draw upon to create new films.
Rumpelstiltskin, The Elves and the Shoe Maker, The Emperor and the Nightingale. There! I just came up with three films not yet done by Disney. Each of these stories could be expanded into films relatively easily in my view.
If a sequel is needed, wait until you have a good story, not a churned out one for the sake of making money off the back of a successful film. (Yes, I get it. They are in the money making business as well as entertainment, but…)
I guess basically, my view is this. If there is a story there…tell it.
- Manuel Orozco
  
  And story is what Disney is most of the time almost as much as money.
- Brad Williamson
  
  I love these ideas! Of course Disney would use their new naming scheme to give them hip titles like Rumped, Shoed, and Birded. 🙂
  - The Dreamer
    
    Ha ha! Yes!
    - Manuel Orozco
      
      I meant about
Fluffydips

Wreck It Ralph 2 is probably going to be great. Rich Moore and everyone working on it has pure passion going for it. I loved the first one too and it has nearly endless possibilities to take the characters to. I’m not worried about Ralph at all, it’s Rich Moore’s baby and he will treat it well. I imagine they’ll do at least 4 of them. It also didn’t do that well on the box office so it can’t be for huge financial back up.

Frozen on the other end is tricky. That was done only for money and everyone knows it. It also doesn’t help that a lot of people are burnt out on it and sick of seeing it everywhere. It’s so forced (especially with a 21 MINUTE SPECIAL in front of Coco. Are you fucking kidding me?) It’s for the shareholders, and all the little girls who like Anna and Elsa. That’s okay I guess.

Zootopia could use one too if Rich Moore is up to it at some point, but Disney has earned the right to do a sequel after all these years. I’m up to it as long as they are good as the original film.
- Manuel Orozco
  
  I would also like to see a Big Hero 6 sequel even if we have the TV show coming this fall. Everything you said I totally agree with. About Frozen, I felt the same way about Cars although I do like the movies. However, I loved Cars 3 and it gave me a sense of hope that we are not through with the Radiator Springs gang yet despite it’s bittersweet conclusion.
  - Fluffydips
    
    Big Hero 6 would be alright, but usually when a TV show is made it means it isn’t getting a sequel. Same with Tangled on that subject, we’ll see what comes of that.
    
    I actually like Cars though like you do. Frozen was decent in my opinion and got blown over way beyond it’s actual quality. It’s a cute movie but not as good as most of the other films this decade. Seeing a second one doesn’t change my opinion on it and only agitates me a bit.
    
    I’m also going to see Cars 3 tomorrow. Sounds like it’s good from the general opinion. I would not mind a fourth Cars. It all depends on how this one does in toy sales and box office receipts. I liked Cars and Cars 2 even though for some reason everyone doesn’t like them.
    - Manuel Orozco
      
      I just wouldn’t be surprised if the new series becomes an unofficial sequel precursor. But it depends of course if Disney can find a worthy story that can take Hiro and Baymax’s adventures to the next level. This new Cars installment has more more racing and emotional resonance than before. So let me know how you like it.
      - Fluffydips
        
        I loved it to death. What a great film! The critics are definitely not doing it justice. Everything felt wrapped up so well, especially the Doc Hudson parts. It was funny and the storyline was beautiful. I almost don’t want them to do a fourth one it wrapped up so well. It’s probably Pixar’s best since Inside Out.
      - Manuel Orozco
        
        You took the words right out of my mouth. Except, I won’t mind a 4th movie as long as Pixar uses Cruz as a possible new protagonist wisely and give the series veteran characters spare moments to shine. Because I know one thing, Lightning’s racing days maybe over but his story is just getting warmed up.
      - Fluffydips
        
        It might be really good, but we’d have to wait until at least 2023 at the moment. I’m looking forward to Incredibles and Ralph now.
      - Manuel Orozco
        
        That might be my exact estimation of when we will get Cars 4. And I’m equally excited for both sequels since I loved the originals. I consider Toy Story 2 to be the weakest of it’s respective trilogy but I love the Toy Story series too so 4 has a lot to live up to.
      - Fluffydips
        
        I can’t wait for D23 now, especially with all the Ralph 2 news. I hope they’ll announce the untitled original films dated for 2020 and 2021 too. Cars 4 a hope but I know they won’t announce it until 2019 at the earliest.
      - Manuel Orozco
        
        True or 2020. I’m nervous about D23 but in particular about the possible surprise announcements. I’m looking forward to scoop on Wreck It Ralph 2, Tangled the Series since it’s continuing on July 23rd, Incredibles 2, Ducktales and live action panels. I also hope they announce Inside Out 2.
      - Fluffydips
        
        Pete Doctor is working on a new film, so I think Inside Out 2 is at least a ways off.
      - Manuel Orozco
        
        That sounds fair enough to me as long as it can live up to either Inside Out, Monsters Inc or Up. Guess we will never know until we at least know what to expect. I just think of Inside Out as Doctor’s best work yet.
      - Fluffydips
        
        I bet his film is the one coming out in summer 2021.
      - Manuel Orozco
        
        Why do you think that?
      - Fluffydips
        
        It was six years inbetween Up and Inside Out and another six years from 2015 is 2021. Just rough math.
      - Manuel Orozco
        
        You do make an excellent point
      - Fluffydips
        
        Yee, good movie though, see you around.
      - Manuel Orozco
        
        Bye and what do you mean by good movie?
      - Fluffydips
        
        Cars 3
      - Manuel Orozco
        
        Oh
      - Casey Oswald
        
        Inside Out is amazing!
      - Manuel Orozco
        
        Yes it is. In fact, I consider it to be Pixar’s most original film since Ratatouille. And the colorful animation with it’s beautifully touching story made a refreshing combination. Inside Out was my favorite animated film of 2015 tied with Peanuts Movie.
      - Casey Oswald
        
        I think they could do a fun spinoff prequel all about Stanley discovering Radiator Springs.
      - Manuel Orozco
        
        I was hoping DisneyToons would do it before yesterday’s Space movie announcement. But I think that would be a wonderful extension of the Cars universe. Just need a little bit of the original movie’s roots combined with a cast of characters that are as colorful as Lightning and gang.
- dlizsehshus
  
  I dont know how you can argue thet Frozen 2 is done only for the money when the original film left alot questions that can be explored in the sequel such as
  
  1. Where does Elsas powers come from?That never came up in the original film. And will probably be interesting storyline to explore in the sequel.
  
  2. Anna and Kristoff relationship. They didnt get married. What happens with them now.
  
  3. Hans family. If Hans was this bad i wonder what his family is like and what would they say to how he was treated in the original film.
  
  These three reasons and many more is why Im excited for the sequel. They left a lot of storylines to explore. You just sound like the typical Frozen hater. Bashing the film because so many people loved it to try and sound cool.
  - Manuel Orozco
    
    Ok first of all, I was hoping for an explanation of Elsa’s powers as well. Second of all, I didn’t mind Anna and Kristoff just going steady by the movie’s end which will take more time to see if they truly right for each other. And last, an explanation of Hans’s family would have gave more meaning to him being the surprise villain. Or as I like to call him, Frozen’s version of Gaston only the big twist to the love triangle was he didn’t want to kiss Anna.
    - dlizsehshus
      
      Dont see the comparison. Gaston was an egomaniac who wanted to own and control Belle. Hans is more like a younger handsome version of Jafar without the Magic.
      - Manuel Orozco
        
        Why do you think Jafar?
      - dlizsehshus
        
        Lets see he only wants power.
        
        He lies and manipulates people to get what he wants.
        
        He portrays himself as a do gooder for the people when in reality hes the exact opposite.
        
        And He has no problem murdering people to get what he wants.
      - Manuel Orozco
        
        I can see that. But one thing Hans doesn’t have is a dark sense of humor
      - Manuel Orozco
        
        By the way, I got a nickname for Hans Sir Psycholot (a combination of Psycho and Lancelot)
  - Fluffydips
    
    “REEEEEEEEEEE I liked Frozen” is all I’m hearing. Frozen was decent and all but it’s not worth getting your pants in a bunch because I didn’t like it.
Jesse Jacobson

Planes and Return to Neverland aren’t part of the canon because they weren’t “worthy”. Those films, along with all the other sequels besides the ones mentioned here, were made by a completely different studio, DisneyToon Studios. Besides there really isn’t a Disney “canon”. There are the films made by Pixar, the films made my Walt Disney Animation Studios (which are largely considered then”canon”) and the films made by DisneyToon Studios.
- Manuel Orozco
  
  At least I liked Planes and Return to Neverland. The whole canon concept wasn’t easy for me to get until I got older. So I agree, it should be established more so even kids can understand it.
dlizsehshus

Meh I disagree with the article. A lackluster sequel can never hurt an original. The original will be great no matter what.

Want proof of that? Look at the first Ghostbuster film. Its still considered one of the best films despite its lackluster sequel.

I think the whole negative reaction towards sequels is overblown and nothing but the entertainment media journalist trying to spark negative reactions just to get attention.

I find it funny that TV is praised and is considered better than movies when they make sequels every year. The only difference is instead of being called sequels they are called seasons.
- Manuel Orozco
  
  True although I thought Ghostbusters 2 was better than the original. No offense intended
  - Brad Williamson
    
    I love Ghostbusters 2! Not as much as the first. But I really do enjoy it!
    - Manuel Orozco
      
      To each their own like I always say
  - dlizsehshus
    
    I like it too but the mainstream media doesnt. Which hammers my point that sequels get unfairly pick on. I think their should be more sequels. Because they are more challenging than original films.
    
    Its harder to make a great sequel than a great original film. Suggesting that only original films inspire imagination is totally bogus.
    - Manuel Orozco
      
      I don’t know if I agree or disagree.
SimbasGuard

If it involves a franchise and characters I love. Well made sequels are great, however the key here is “well made”. There is a huge difference between a sequel that is done with love and respect to the original movie and it’s characters, made by people that care about said characters and the story that they want to tell with said characters. Versus a sequel that is made just to take a popular character that generated revenue. Throw said character on screen again. While not caring anything for said character or the story they are using said character to tell. When all the studio is hoping is that everyone that loved said character when they first saw them will just throw money at any movie said character is in.

Even a Direct to video sequel can be a worthy sequel if made by people that care about the franchise and characters that they are using. The biggest problem with Direct to DVD Sequels is that they give off the impression that since The Studio cares about them less, then that must mean that the people making them must not care about them either. That is not always the case.

As anyone that read my name can guess My favorite movie is The Lion King. I have always felt and still feel that it deserves a theatrical sequel. That does not mean that I do not love It’s Direct to video sequel Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride. I felt it was a worthy sequel. I just know that had it been made with the intent of it being a theatrical release, without the restraints placed on it by the fact that it was a Direct to video production. It could have been (to paraphrase Mufasa) More than what it became.

I would much rather see an animated post Lion King 2 theatrical sequel (and depending on what Disney is willing to let The Lion Guard become. I think we could get one) than this upcoming “live action” remake (Although I will of course see that too.).
- Manuel Orozco
  
  I totally agree about well made sequels. The only direct to video sequels I ever liked were the Cinderella sequels and Mulan 2. But the Tinker Bell CGI prequels were even better.