Animation Source Forums

Okay, is it just me or is the whole "like parent, like child" thing getting a bit repetitive?

I mean, think about it: This sort of thing is usually for sequels, and usually focuses on a father/mother and their very similar-looking or acting son/daughter. How many movies are like this?

Wolf Quest, Simba's Pride, TLM2, any sequel/midquel that deals with the offspring of a main character whatsoever ----> good examples

And no matter what happens, the parent is always so gosh-darned protective of them. Yes, it's usually because of some secret that they are afraid to tell their child, or some danger that they are trying to protect them from. And all the time, the child ends up discovering the secret on their own, gets angry and runs away in order to find the answer, "Why? Why didn't you tell me this sooner?"

In the end, after many situations (both happy and sad), the parent reunites with their child, and they make things right . . . in however way possible. Sometimes it's something that the child must do alone . . . sort of like a destined thing. Other times, the child is with another person (either a parent, friend, or lover). But evil is defeated, and everyone is happy. The End.

Is this type of story (sequel/midquel) ever going to end? The stories are usually predictable (I said usually, because the ending of WQ surprised me when I first watched it actually) and so cliche' that it's not even funny.

I was just wondering about the opinions of you guys about this subject. What do you think about "like parent, like child" sequels?

- Juuchan17

Well, I didn't mean that they were all exactly the same, but they all have similar basic plot motives. Each film does have a few things that make them stand out . . . . which is a good thing. I mean, no one wants to see a WQ that allows the wolves and the Nome huskies to unite as one, now really? (I think you know which sequel this sounds like, right?)

Here are the obvious basics:
- at least one overprotective parent with a secret
- one headstrong child that looks like a parent
- the obvious anger the child feels over their discovery of the secret
and so on . . .

And to tell you the truth, it's a good thing Aleu didn't get a love interest in WQ. That would have made the plot too complex IMO.

Also, you could say that Bambi II could somewhat count as a "parent-child" midquel . . . it has most of the qualities (except the basics are . . . different). Also Lady and the Tramp II could also fit the description as well.

- Juuchan17

I think the best example of this would be Little Mermaid 2. It seems Disney just has a bunch of ways for telling the same story...

Precisely!, and that is what we called an archetype! An archetype is basically a guideline or form of which something goes around. In this case the story has one basic form, but different circumstances.

Ah, so that's what it's called! Thanks for that info, Grhaeh Lit! ^__^ I knew it was called something, but I forgot the word. ^^;

- Juuchan17

I don't know why writers settle for this archetype . . . it seems they would try to be as unique as possible, or at least that's what I think. The same old headstrong-child-wants-to-find-where-they-belong-and-defies-parent-by-doing-the-thing-the-parent-fears-them-doing-most thing gets really boring after a while!

look at this!

little mermaid1
over protective father.he hates human so much that he keep Ariel from human.
but Ariel thinks humans are fastinating
she managed to go to the surface
found love
become a human

little mermaid2
over protective mother!!! Ariel was so afraid thet her Daughter would want to become a mermaid! so she keep her from the sea.
But her daughter thinks the sea is so fastinating!!!
and so on...I can't remember now. I can't even remember her name! ><
and finally she be come a mermaid!

see? almost exactly the same story. only the opposite way.

Well, the sequel was a bit different:

The only reason Ariel was so intent of keeping Melody (Ariel's daughter) from the sea was to protect her from Morgana (who almost took her life as a young baby). She meant well though. She didn't want Melody to know about her mermaid heritage (or the fact that she, herself, was originally a mermaid), but then again, she too longed to see the sea again (since when she put up the wall to keep Melody from the sea, Ariel also had to suffer: She was separated from her own father who allowed her to live on land in the end of the first film.).

But I understand your thoughts. The films are quite the same, but not really. But yes, I think The Little Mermaid could fall under this . . . to a point.

- Juuchan17