Tigis

There are only few good movie sequels compare to the bad ones. Movie sequels are usually being produced to continue the success of the first movies. That’s where the difficult task began. To beat the first one, or at least to make it as good, not the thing every director could do. Here I’m gonna list down some movie sequels which can be considered as better or at least equals than its predecessor.

1. T2: Judgment Day (1991)

The Terminator (1984) was a phenomenon. It set how action sci-fi movie should be. Great story, fantastic characters, without losing any superb action elements. How do you beat that? Let the original director/creator makes the sequel. And make sure that he is James Cameron.

James Cameron who directed The Terminator (1984) really surprised many people with T2: Judgment Day (1991), the sequel which he directed as well. He continued the franchise with the same style and philosophy. The story was mind blowing, the characters were terrific, and the action sequences were state of the art.

T2: Judgment Day hit both record during its release. The most expensive movie of all time in 1991, and the highest grossing movie in 1991.

2. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Spider-Man (2002) came to market with huge expectations. Fortunately Sam Raimi as a director could deliver the movie as expected. Full actions with great special effects. Spider-Man (2002) was very popular in family audiences especially children and teenagers. Unfortunately Spider-Man (2002) was quite a disappointment for adults audiences. It lacked characters development and not enough interactions between them. Many critics hammered this movie.

Sam Raimi fixed all the problems with the sequel, Spider-Man 2 (2004). He explored the characters and emotional conflicts more in the sequel and reduced the nonsense action sequences from the first one. The result was fantastic. Spider-Man 2 (2004) became the superhero movie that offered more than just action. The character development was superb and the conflict was built smartly with emotional aspects. It had glowing review from the critics.

3. Aliens (1986)

Alien (1979) really set the tone about how bad space creatures should look like. Legendary director Ridley Scott brought this movie succesfully to become as legend as he has been. Many critics hailed this movie as one of the best sci-fi/horror movie of all time. How do you make a sequel to such a legendary movie? Simple. Just call James Cameron

Different with Ridley Scott, James Cameron not only directed the sequel. He also wrote the screenplay. Much to his talent, 20th Century Fox were even willing to wait for him to complete The Terminator (1984) first before continuing his work for Alien sequel. The result, Aliens (1986), was a phenomenon.

Jim Cameron used different perspective from Ridley Scott. He liked action, and what a huge action it was. He switched the style of Alien (1979) from horror/sci-fi to become more acton/sci-fi in Aliens (1986). The extraordinary thing was that he changed it with the addition of character intensity at the same time. What a talented director/story teller he has been.

In academy awards, Aliens (1986) surpassing what Alien (1979) had achieved. Alien (1979) won 1 oscar and got another nomination. Aliens (1986) won 2 oscars and earned 5 other nominations. Fantastically, the nomination earned by Aliens (1986) included the category of Best Actress for Sigourney Weaver. Best actress nomination in this kind of movie? Only in James Cameron movie that could happen.

4. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987)

Actually there’s still debate until now, was Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn really a sequel or just a remake. Considering that only about the first 10 minutes of the movie was similar to the first one, I’ll put it as a sequel

Why there’s a longlasting debate about it? Because the basic story of both movies, Evil Dead (1981) and Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn (1987), were really the same. But the details and especially the approach from Sam Raimi (who directed both movies) were admittedly different. Evil Dead (1981) was deadly serious while Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn was pretty damned psychologically funny.

Evil Dead franchise continuing the cheap horror movies culture during its era. Especially the first one. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn tried to change that with different approach. It consisted of strange and psychological comedy/horror that really stole the show. You can’t help but stare at the movie since the first “supposedly scary but turned out to be funny” scenes appeared on your screen.

5. X2: X-Men United (2003)

Beside Spider-Man 2, this is one of few examples on how the sequel of superhero movies can surpass its predecessor. X-Men (2000) was a success. Obviously there would be a sequel. And the sequel was made. Directed by exactly the same director, the highly acclaimed director, Bryan Singer.

The high point for X2 was that it was visually more astonishing. Especially the scene involving Magneto as the leader of “bad mutants”. There were some great visual effects as well visualizing some more interesting mutants with their unique capability compare to the first movie.

X2: X-Men United (2003) also dealt more with the character compare to X-Men (2000). Jean Gray, as among the strongest “good mutants” showed her emotional conflict in X2: X-Men United (2003).

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Only those 5 movies that I can think about. I left some other great sequels for some reasons. Please find the following details :

a. The Lord of The Rings, Star Wars, and Kill Bill movies.

I left all of them out because I believe they aren’t really sequels. All The Lord of The Rings and Kill Bill movies were made in one shot so they can be considered as one package. While Star Wars movies can be considered as a full package of trilogy movies.

b. The Godfather Part 2 (1974), Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990), Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade (1989), and Dawn of The Dead (1978). That’s because eventhough they are great movies they still can’t beat or equaling the first movies. The Godfather (1974), Die Hard (1988), Raiders of The Lost Ark (1981), and Night of The Living Dead (1968) were arquably the best movies for each genre: drama, action, adventure, and horror.

c. Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981), because I haven’t seen it

d. Harry Potter movies, because I’m not really impressed So far what I like from Harpot movies is Emma Watson. She’s cute isn’t she

That’s my version about best movie sequels. Do you have your own version? Feel free to share it here

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Pics taken from some places.

Tags: Movies //