Remember Grease 2, Basic Instinct 2 or even Jaws 2? We bet you don't. Even if you do, you wouldn't even put your hands up to admit that you've watched disastrous movies that don’t even make sense. Some things are really better left untouched, especially when the movie director has conjured the perfect ending to the film.
But, like it or not, we're living in a world where movie franchises are treated as a norm. But these ten movies, however, we would love to see more of:
Zombieland (2009)
What it is about: A cowardly shut-in named Columbus is forced to join up with a seasoned zombie-slayer named Tallahassee in order to survive the zombie apocalypse. As Tallahassee sets out on a mission to find the last Twinkie on Earth, the duo meets up with two young girls who have resorted to some rather unorthodox methods to survive amidst the chaos. Reluctant partners in the battle against the undead, all four soon begin to wonder if it might be better to simply take their chances alone.
What it deserves to have a sequel: No doubt there are lots of zombie movies out there, but none can compare to Zombieland. You may even call it a classic because of the way the movie handle the apocalypse plot. Not too long ago, Amazon actually attempted to continue the movie as a TV series, but sadly, it didn't happen. And besides, zombie theme is still big in pop culture (just take a look at how successful The Walking Dead is), so there isn't a better time than now to continue. Just make sure to include its original cast in its sequel.
Léon: The Professional (1994)
What is it about: Matilda is only 12 years old, but is already familiar with the dark side of life – her abusive father stores drugs for corrupt police and her mother neglects her. Léon, who lives down the hall is a hired hitman for mobster Tony. When Matilda's family is murdered by crooked DEA agent Stansfield, Matilda joins forces with Léon to avenge her family's deaths.
Why it deserves to have a sequel: While many may remember this movie for being the debut project for Natalie Portman, Léon: The Professional is so much more than that. It's an unapologetic movie that juxtaposes crime, humanity and familial decay. Though the movie premiered more than 20 years ago, it wouldn't be too farfetched to imagine the director had plans for making a sequel, especially now we have movies like Trainspotting and Zoolander making a comeback on the big screen. There's also the question about Matilda. Does she try to avenge the death of Léon or does she grow up to be a normal woman? We're only hoping that the director could answer these questions through a sequel and hopefully, a good one too.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
What is it about: Jeff Lebowski, also known as "the Dude" is a laid-back, easygoing burnout who happens to have the same name as a millionaire whose wife owes a lot of money – resulting in the Dude having his rug soiled, sending him spiralling into the Los Angeles underworld.
Why it deserves to have a sequel: Ask anyone out there if they're familiar with 'The Dude' and chances are, they will tell you that he's one of the greatest movie characters ever made. Ever since its original release, Coen Brothers' crime drama has become a cult classic. The fans even call themselves as the 'achievers'. For years, fans have been yearning for a sequel to learn more about the Lebowski family, especially when the narrator announced that Maude is carrying a 'little Lebowski' in the oven.
The Truman Show (1998)
What is it about: Everything in Truman Burbank's life is part of a massive TV set and he has no clue about it. Executive producer Christof orchestrates "The Truman Show", a reality show that broadcast Truman's life captured by hidden cameras. Christof tries to control Truman's mind, even removing his true love, Sylvia, from the show and replacing her with another love interest. As Truman gradually discovers the truth, he must decide whether to live in this beautifully crafted lie or to step out into the real world.
Why it deserves to have a sequel: Long before Big Brother plagues every household's television screen, there's The Truman Show. The movie ends with Truman figuring out that he's in a TV show and leaving the giant big set that has been his home, his world for his entire life and heads out to the real world. What's going to happen after Truman steps into the real world? Would he be able to cope living in a society, constantly reminded of his unwanted fame and past life? Or would he have returned to his manufactured world? We need answers!
Inception (2010)
What is it about: Dom Cobb doesn't steal things, he steals ideas. By projecting himself deep into the subconscious of his targets, he can glean information that even the best computer hackers can't get to. In the world of corporate espionage, Cobb is the ultimate weapon. But even weapons have their weakness, and when Cobb loses everything, he's forced to embark on one final mission in a desperate quest for redemption.
Why it deserves to have a sequel: Seven years has passed and the question "is this all just another dream" still haunts us in our dream. Is Cobb dreaming as he comes back and meets his children? Does the totem finally crash and land on the surface? These are some of the burning questions that remain unanswered when Nolan decides to end it on an ambiguous note. While there aren't any plans to bring this cinematic masterpiece back to the big screen, views, fans and even critics are hoping that Nolan will, one day, decides to fulfil our dream by delivering a sequel.
Children of Men (2006)
What is it about: When infertility threatens mankind with extinction and the last child born has perished, a disillusioned bureaucrat becomes the unlikely hero in the fight for the survival of Earth population. He must face his own struggles to protect the planet's last remaining hope from danger.
Why it deserves to have a sequel: Before his award-winning movie Gravity, Alfonso Cuarón directed a dystopian epic tale about hope, despair, humanity and the craving for better tomorrow. Children of Men is an extraordinary movie by all considerations and it is perhaps still one of the most relevant movies today. The movie takes a cynical look at the mindless expansion of science sans any humane consideration. With a hopeful, but ambiguous ending, we're now hoping Cuarón will direct a sequel soon to complete its narrative.
The Journey (2014)
What is it about: When Bee returns to Malaysia for the first time in a decade, she introduces her happy-go-lucky British fiance, Benji, to her conservative father, Uncle Chuan. With Benji's lack of cultural understanding of the Chinese traditions, Chuan agrees to their marriage reluctantly, with a condition to be fulfilled – their wedding ceremony must be a Chinese ceremony. According to the Chinese culture, son-in-law is obliged to deliver the wedding invitations with father-in-law. So the quintessential odd couple embarks on a cross-country adventure to deliver the invitations.
Why it deserves a sequel: If there's ever a Malaysian movie that deserves a nomination at the Oscar, it's this. Though the plot of the movie is simple, director Chiu Keng Guan has successfully depicted the Malaysian Chinese culture and tradition, the bond between father and daughter, a friendship that transcends time and culture and the fragility of life in a 102-minute feature film. Whilst the movie ended on a happy note, we'd love to see more from the family, especially now that the relationship between Chuan and Benji has improved.
Ex Machina (2014)
What is it about: Caleb Smith is a programmer at an Internet company. One day, he wins a contest that enables him to spend a week at the private estate of Nathan Bateman, his firm's brilliant CEO. When he arrives, Caleb learns that he has been chosen to be the human component in a Turing test to determine the capabilities and consciousness of Ava, a beautiful robot in the making. However, it soon becomes evident that Ava is far more self-aware and deceptive than anyone could imagine.Why it deserves to have a sequel: Alex Garland's Ex Machina has successfully explored the possibilities and the dangers of artificial intelligence. A move almost every movie about AI has tried and failed to deliver. What makes Ex Machina so intriguing as a psychological thriller film is the fact that instead of using guns and blood to bring suspense to life, they chose a more subtle and perhaps eerie elements like music, dialogue to deliver what's at stake for the protagonist. At the end of the movie, we see Ava, an AI played by the brilliant Alicia Vikander, walking through a city crowd in her new-found freedom and we need to know what the director has in store for Ava. How is she going to cope with living among humans and is anyone going to unmask her true identity? Hurry up and produce a sequel already!
District 9 (2009)
What is it about: It's been 28 years since the aliens made first contact, but there was never any attack from the skies, nor any profound technological revelation capable of advancing our society. Instead, the aliens were treated as refugees. They were the last of their kind, and in order to accommodate them, the government of South Africa set up a makeshift home in District 9 as politicians and world leaders debated how to handle the situation.
Why it deserves to have a sequel: Director Neill Blomkamp has a unique way of alluding the global phenomenon of evictions and he does it through his movies. Politically charged and emotionally complex, the movie ends on a cliffhanger, compelling audience to contemplate and reflect on themselves. It appears that some such questions have been deliberately left unanswered by the director for a reason that is not too difficult to comprehend – the possibility of a sequel. But eight years down the road, there's still no news of a sequel. Come on, Neill, that's more than enough time to write a pretty good sequel, right?
Ola Bola (2016)
What is it about: Set in the 1980s, Ola Bola is an uplifting fictional tale about an unlikely multicultural team of footballers who have to overcome their disagreements and personal struggles for a chance at international success. Inspired by true events, this original story by Chiu Keng Guan is a celebration of the glorious days when the entire nation stood as one behind their triumphant national team.
Why it deserves a sequel: Football fan or not, this is the one movie that you will definitely enjoy. Thanks to its multicultural casts, it feels as if any Malaysians can relate to this movie because each character has its own struggle that threatens to tear the team apart. Though in reality, the team didn't make it to the 1980 Moscow Olympics due to the boycott of USSR invading Afghanistan, but the movie is merely inspired by true events, so anything can happen in the fictional world, right? Perhaps the sequel could be about Malaysia finally playing in the World Cup? Make it happen, please!