I truly understand what you’re saying. Many a time a movie or movies are so good, which can also be the downfall. When they are that good, then studios feel the need to capitalize on them. I think the exception to the rule regarding star wars specifically has to be Rogue One. That story was exceptional. 1, 2, and 3 weren’t bad, per se, imho, but what I found seriously lacking about them was their video game feel: a series of tasks to reach the boss, then beat the boss and win the game; in addition, the craftsmanship that went into 4, 5, and 6 just wasn’t there for 1, 2, and 3. Those two issues robbed me of the special feeling I had while watching the first movies.
That’s why I really like the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Yes, there were elements in the Lord of the Rings that were missing (Tom Bombadil I was actually glad to not see there, but the return to Hobbiton was a major let down for me), but the critical elements were all in place. Yes, the Hobbit went from one book to three movies, but again it maintained those critical story elements.
Pirates of the Caribbean, another series that could have ended eith one, and actually became more bizarre as they progressed. Transformers, an exceptional film for me that was so much better than it deserved to be lost something with each movie.
I can even remember having my wits scared completely when I saw Alien the first time. And as an exception, Aliens was a great follow up to it. I haven’t seen another one of them in theaters yet, and won’t.
Unlike many, though, I have stopped seeing many movies in theaters. I may go see a movie, but when I find out it’s going to have a sequel, I never see them in theaters. Too many movies out there, for me, lose something special from the original to each sequel.
