I was a big fan of American Graffiti, and was eagerly looking forward to the sequel. I know that some sequels are great, and others should never have been made. More American Graffiti is in that category. Since we know what happened to many of the original characters, a good sequel could have been made if done the right way. The points of the Viet Nam war, drag racing, women's lib, the protests against the war and the hippie movement could all have been shown, without the confusion that this movie portrays them. Although I am by no means a writer and have never written a screenplay, after seeing this horrible sequel, I came up with one that seemed more plausible because I was utterly disappointed at this one.
Instead of showing 4 different New Year's Eves, why not have it done as a flashback. Steve & Laurie could be reminiscing at a New Year's Eve Party in the 80's with her brother. They could talk about 1968, and show the riots and how they have worked through their marital problems. Then Debbie and Carol(Rainbow)could stop by and reminisce about their hippie years and what they are doing then. Steve can go out for more beer and run into Terry, who is back in CA working in a 7-11. He brings him to the party and he tells how he escaped Viet Nam and why everyone thinks he was dead. Then they hear a report on the news about a drag race accident, and they all remember Milner's drag racing and what led up to his horrific crash. It can end with them toasting to Milner's memory and the hope that they can survive in the 80's and beyond.
After reading other reviews, I understand why from a technological viewpoint the use of the camera shots were innovative for the time. That being said, it does not make up for the mishmash this movie is. Future filmmakers should take heed about how NOT to write a sequel.
Instead of showing 4 different New Year's Eves, why not have it done as a flashback. Steve & Laurie could be reminiscing at a New Year's Eve Party in the 80's with her brother. They could talk about 1968, and show the riots and how they have worked through their marital problems. Then Debbie and Carol(Rainbow)could stop by and reminisce about their hippie years and what they are doing then. Steve can go out for more beer and run into Terry, who is back in CA working in a 7-11. He brings him to the party and he tells how he escaped Viet Nam and why everyone thinks he was dead. Then they hear a report on the news about a drag race accident, and they all remember Milner's drag racing and what led up to his horrific crash. It can end with them toasting to Milner's memory and the hope that they can survive in the 80's and beyond.
After reading other reviews, I understand why from a technological viewpoint the use of the camera shots were innovative for the time. That being said, it does not make up for the mishmash this movie is. Future filmmakers should take heed about how NOT to write a sequel.