10 Trends That Are Destroying Modern Movies
8. Movies End Halfway Through The Story
Many of the traits on this list are built on the studio's desire to put money ahead of artistic quality. And there's no better way to make money than to have a sequel. Of course, audiences aren't too hot on cynical follow-ups with more financial than narrative importance. Thus welcome the rise of the open ending.
It used to be that a movie would tell a complete story: beginning, middle and end. Maybe throw in a little tease of what may come later (Darth Vader flying off into the distance; the Joker card), but mostly tie up the loose ends. For that to happen now (unless the film is the much publicised end of the series) is rare.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 left all character relationships deliriously up in the air and still didn't deal with Uncle Ben's killer. Transformers: Age Of Extinction left the mystery of the creators, a major plot point, totally unaddressed. Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes baulked at actual world-changing conflict, having its final act essential be the conclusion of the B-story.
Essentially, movies are becoming extended trailers for their own sequels. And we keep lapping them up.