9 Routine Things Movies Do To Set Up The Sequel

1. Ending With the Beginning

Perpetrator: The Transporter, (500) Days of Summer, Jumanji It differs for everyone, but I know I personally can't stand it when a movie ends with the implication that everything I've just seen would happen in an infinite loop. This is different than a motif. I don't mind a film opening with a theme and ending with the same one, as long as it goes about that if there were a sequel, we'd be able to see something radically different instead of a rehash. But when Jason Martin picks up the phone and we get the following exchange:
"I'm looking for a transporter." - disembodied voice "I'm listening." - Martin
Then I roll my eyes. Because the best sequels are ones that keep the basics intact, without compromising further development or new ideas. And while I admit that a series like The Transporter one is madly entertaining, can I please have a better set-up?
 
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Contributor

Cameron Carpenter is an aspiring screenwriter, current film and journalism student, and self-diagnosed cinephile, which only sounds bad in certain circles. Devoted fan of comics, movies, theater, Jesus Christ, Sidney Lumet, and Peter O'Toole, he sometimes spends too much time on his Scribd and comicbookmovie.com, but doesn't think you're one to judge, devoted reader. You can follow him on Twitter to watch him talk to people you didn't know exist. Oh, and Daredevil is quite the big deal around here (my head).