Sequel movies tend to be renowned for being poorly made,
poorly thought out and just generally known for being released solely to milk
some extra cash out of a franchise. Although this is most often the case, there
are a few surprise exceptions, some that proved to be even better than their
predecessors! Let’s have a look at some of the best second instalments in movie
history and one honourable mention of a third that just couldn’t be left out.
10. Hot Shots: Part Deux (1993)
The first Hot Shots movie, a 1991 parody of 80’s
classic Top Gun (1986), captured audiences’ laughter with Charlie
Sheen’s flawlessly straight-faced delivery of a fantastically funny character
supported by the brilliant Lloyd Bridges and Valeria Golino. The sequel
featured the return of the same stunning comedy style, this time, a parody of
1982 action hit Rambo with plenty of other hilarious references thrown in for good
measure.
Better than the first one? Not quite.
9. X-Men 2 (2003)
The follow-up to 2000’s X-Men featured the return of
the original cast of heroes for a new challenge against Wolverine’s nemesis
William Stryker, hellbent on the genocide of all the world’s mutants. Some new
characters added to the appeal of the movie including the insanely cool
Nightcrawler played by Alan Cumming first seen in the incredible opening
sequence, as well as Lady Deathstrike portrayed by Kelly Hu.
Better than the first one? By a narrow margin, yes.
8. Mission: Impossible II (2000)
Directed by Hollywood action mogul John Woo, M:I-2
remains a franchise favourite. Tom Cruise returns as the furtive IMF agent
Ethan Hunt, ready to take down the next megalomaniac who threatens
civilisation. In this case, it’s Scottish rogue agent Sean Ambrose (Dougray
Scott) who has stolen a deadly bioweapon; an accelerated virus named Chimera, after the notorious monster in Greek Mythology. Ving Rhames returns to the cast
and some new additions are added including Thandie Newton and classic
“that-guy” actor Richard Roxburgh, a face that will be more than vaguely
familiar to many viewers.
Better than the first one? Most definitely.
7. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
Universal’s second instalment in the Jurassic Park
franchise adds a whole new dimension to the story. Ian Malcolm along with a
team of widely skilled explorers embark on a falsely advertised mission to Site
B to find a host of power-crazed bureaucrats hunting dinosaurs for sport and
hatching a plan to capture them and ship them to San Diego as zoo exhibits.
This obviously all ends in tears when they attempt to ship home a T-Rex which
inevitably marches a path of destruction through central San Diego. New faces
include Julianne Moore Vince Vaughn, Pete Postlethwaite and Peter Stormare.
Better than the first one? Stupid Question
6. Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) *SPOILERS*
The new Star Trek reboots are all something quite
spectacular. The new cast are shockingly reminiscent of the original Enterprise
crew in both looks and manner (apart from Simon Pegg, but let’s be honest he’s
so good he doesn’t need to be). The first reboot was incredible in itself, but
the sequel absolutely blew fans away with the introduction of spectacularly
talented British star Benedict Cumberbatch as the infamous Khan Noonien Singh.
This film truly is more than deserving of addition to anyone’s list of the
greatest movie sequels of all time.
Better than the first one? We didn’t think anything
could be, but somehow, they did it.
5. Terminator 2 (1991)
T2 is a classic example of a sequel that surpassed
the original. James Cameron’s follow-up to 1984’s The Terminator
features the return of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic character (although a
different, identical version) a cyborg sent from 2029 to protect John Connor,
the future leader of the resistance (Edward Furlong). The movie introduces
another terrifying antagonist the T-1000, a more advanced cyborg capable of
dramatically changing its form to anything of a similar relative size. T2 features the usual weird time paradoxes and almost cringe-worthy dialogue
but it’s difficult to deny that this movie is one of the most shamelessly
entertaining sequels ever made.
Better than the first one? In every way.
4. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
The original series of Star Trek will always be the
most iconic section of the franchise with the most memorable set of characters
and the best stories. In the episode Space Seed (Season 1, Episode 22.
February 16th, 1967), fans were introduced to a frighteningly real
and malevolent antagonist named Khan Noonien Singh. They find Khan in an
ancient cryo-pod on a mysterious transport ship and bring him aboard the USS
Enterprise. The second movie in the post-series franchise features the return
of Khan, seeking his revenge on Captain Kirk and his crew. The sequel is a true
science fiction classic.
Better than the first one? Absolutely.
3. The Dark Knight (2008)
Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy is quite
definitely a collection of the best movies in the entire Batman
franchise, making The Dark Knight arguably the best Batman movie
ever made. Focusing more on the story’s villains rather than the protagonist
himself sharpens a new point on comic book movies, changing the usual style of
popular comic adaptations and making them darker in nature. This movie was a
game-changer, bringing in Heath Ledger to portray The Joker… He did not
disappoint! The character was so gripping and terrifying, some believe that he
infected and killed Heath Ledger, the way a symbiote consumes its
often-unwilling host. The film itself is packed with dramatic suspense and
multi-dimensional characters. A better Batman movie may never be made again.
Better than the first one? They’re all amazing, but
this one takes the gold.
Related: The Dark Knight - 10 Years On
2. Back to the Future: Part II (1989)
Let’s be honest, Back to the Future isn’t a series,
it’s a single six-hour movie. That being said, if we absolutely must judge it
as a trilogy, Part II has to take a spot in the movie sequel hall of
fame. After the events of Part I (1985), Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd)
returns from the year 2015 in his iconic time-travelling DeLorean to collect young Marty McFly
(Michael J. Fox) with some grave news about his future kids. The pair encounter
a new set of weird time paradoxes when the peculiar Biff Tannen (Thomas F.
Wilson) smuggles himself into the time machine and gives his past self a sports
almanac that tells the future. Marty and the Doc arrive back in 1985 to find
that their reality has been completely altered to a world in which Biff is a billionaire
and they must rectify the mistake that changed history. Back to the Future
Part II is a beautifully crafted feel-good family adventure that will live
on for eternity; a true must-see sequel.
Better than the first one? Not quite, but you can’t
blame them for trying.
1. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Empire undoubtedly one of the absolute greatest
sequels ever made. Most would say that Star Wars is definitely the best and
most definitive sci-fi movie saga in film history and they would be correct at
every turn. The second instalment in the original trilogy took the story down a
new street. The Death Star is gone, but the evil Darth Vader is still hellbent
on finding young Luke at all costs. Fans were introduced to a couple of new
characters now viewed as integral to the saga, namely Boba Fett, Lando
Calrissian and the mighty Yoda. These movies remain an absolute must-own in
every DVD collection and the new movies are still (elitist fan-boycott
notwithstanding) a must-see at the pictures. The timeless mammoth of a
franchise will always be a big part of the lives of sci-fi fans until the end
of time.
Better than the first one? Very much down to personal
preference. I would say, by just a hair, purely judging it as a more
entertaining watch, yes.
Just for an honourable mention: Indiana Jones and the
Last Crusade (1989)
Okay, so technically Crusade is a third instalment
but then again, technically 1984’s Temple of Doom is a prequel set prior
to the events of Raiders so you know what, I’m counting it. This movie
is fantastic. Harrison Ford’s iconic character Professor Indiana Jones joins
another rag-tag cast of explorers and archaeologists (including his dad, played by the marvellous Sean Connery) to find the Holy Grail. Crusade
is a top scorer in an already fantastic quadrilogy (soon to be a pentalogy)
of great movies. It’s the epitome of the adventure genre.
Better than the first one? This one is going to get
me killed, but yes. I think it is.
Sequels are always fun. We’re so much more excited about
going to the cinema to see a movie that we already know about. Some are
outstanding and even surpass the original. Some are appalling and should have
been scrapped before they were made. However, in the interests of optimism,
always remember that these great movies listed here DO exist. A good sequel is
possible and happens more often than you think!
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