Movie-Holic

Since 2009 is looking like the year of sequels and remakes, I thought it would be good to go back and take a look at some of the sequels that have made over the years. But, more than that… to see which ones are actually better than the originals.

In my opinion, that rarely happens. Most times it seems like the studios, producers, and directors are in such a big rush to get the next movie out to cash in on the momentum of the first that it just doesn’t work. However, there have been some great sequels that actually did better than the originals. And in some rare instances when the third, or even the fourth, movies are better than the original or the sequel. Yes, it can bet a little confusing.

Top Five Sequels That Bettered The Original

Here’s a quick rundown of the best sequels, or thre-quels, that were better than their original counterparts. Yes, there are countless sequels out there and there will be some cause for discussion over this list… so let the discussions begin!

5. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

You can’t have a top sequels list without one of the Indiana Jones movies tucked away in there somewhere. Indy is one of those timeless characters that you don’t get tired of. The original, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, introduced us to this amazing character and showed us what he is capable of. Indians Jones and the Temple of Doom then showed us the lighter side of Jones and brought us even further into his life. But, I don’t think it’s until the third installment, The Last Crusade where we really see Indy do his stuff and get to really know him.

The Last Crusade was more of an intellectual movie while staying true to the original roots of action, light hearted comedic scenes, and outrageous situations.

4. The Bourne Ultimatum

Again, we have the third movie in a series that gets the nod as to the better sequel. That doesn’t mean that The Bourne Supremacy isn’t good either. It is a powerful action film that jumps miles ahead of the original The Bourne Identity. In the world of sequels though, and being better than the previous, the winner of this one has to be Ultimatum.

One of the best action films to come around in a long time, not just for the action but also for the complexity, the continuity of the plot, and great twists and turns along the way. Another great aspect of The Bourne Ultimatum is that it doesn’t leave with you a sense of unfinished business. I love the way you can watch this series (and you must start from the beginning) and it continues to progress with each one.

3. Kill Bill Vol. 2

A sequel must be something that picks up where the previous one left with some level of continuity to the story and continue, or better the story and action. When looking at the world of sequels, what has been made, and how well they fit into this I have to say that Kill Bill Vol. 2 does a pretty sound job at this.

This volume is a brilliant, and elegant closing out of the bloody revenge epic that Vol. 1 introduced us to. You do have to be Tarantino fan to really appreciate the film and see it for what it is. Entertainment.

2. T2: Judgment Day

Not many sequels have the mind blowing power to stop you dead in your tracks and forget the first one. T2 did that. This is just a great movie that deserves all the acclaim it received in 1991. Judgment Day was such a powerful movie that it changed the way that Sci-Fi movies are made. It set the bar very high.

James Cameron staying on a director was a brilliant move that kept the story flowing, the characters real and engaging, and the vision for the action as intense as the original.

The number on sequel was an incredibly hard choice. When you factor in that there are a lot of very good sequels. But, I wanted to pinpoint the one that I felt really outshined the first and defined the series of movies. It was tough. In the end I went with…

1. Rocky IV

BAM! You never saw that one coming, did you?

You thought it was going to be something like Aliens, Spider-Man 2, Godfather 2, Empire Strikes Back, LOTR: Return of the King, or some other movie that makes all the of the other “best of” lists.

And they are all fantastic sequels. They are all huge movies in their own right… but, I really wanted something that would define the entire scope of the movies it represented. Rocky, the Italian Stallion, was the victor.

Think about it… what Rocky movie sticks out in your mind as the one that changed the entire way you look at him? Four.

What Rocky movie is the most intense? Four.

Which Rocky movie gets you the most jacked up? Four.

In every way this movie screams to be the best sequel, or rather four-quel, every made. Everything is there. Continuity of story, development of character, superb acting, and major ups and downs in action.

There you have it. My top 5 list of the best sequels that were better than the original. As I stated at the beginning; this is a topic of major discussion and just about everyone on the planet would have a different list.

So… what would yours be? What five movies would you say were better sequels?

Let the discussions begin!