Twice(or more) In a Lifetime! : The 10 Greatest Movie Sequels of All Time.
Sequels usually suck, right? I mean, everyone hates a forced, cash driven sequel to a perfect movie that got it right the first time and didn’t need a forced retread, right? Well, every now and then they come up with a second part and even a third or fourth etc. that not only met the expectations for them but even exceeded them. When a sequel does work it really works and these ten sequels that I picked are just as good and sometimes even better than their original movies.
10. Ace Ventura When Nature Calls. 1995.
This movie has the honor of being the only sequel that the legendary Jim Carrey has done to date. The classic sequel takes the famous pet detective to Africa to retrieve an endangered white bat to prevent a civil war between two rival village tribes. The movie is even more wildly and ridiculously funny than the first film and provides the type of fun, zany over the top humor that Jim Carrey does best!
9. Bad Boys 2. 2003.
While the first Bad Boys has always been and will always be the best out of all three movies, Bad Boys 2 is still a worthy sequel that had plenty of iconic moments and lines that penetrated the culture. Miami Narcotics Detectives Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett returned in 2003 to stop powerful drug lord Jordan Tapia, while also dealing with Mike and Marcus’ sister Sydney fling that both have been keeping from Marcus as well as a possible early retirement for Marcus threatening the dynamic duo’s partnership.
Martin Lawrence and Will Smith together will always be a treat we don’t deserve.
8. The Nutty Professor 2 The Klumps. 2000.
I find this movie to be sadly underrated because in my opinion it’s even funnier and better than the first Nutty Professor. Giving more focus to the Klump family as a whole was genius and gave the film more dimension. Sherman finally finds himself happy and getting married to the beautiful Denise played by superstar Janet Jackson, he finds his newfound happiness interrupted when Buddy Love returns… literally as he’s now split from Sherman causing Sherman to lose his intelligence. Meanwhile Cleatus and Anna Pearl Klump’s marriage is on the rocks.
7. The Fast and Furious franchise. 2001-present.
The Fast and Furious franchise has been a staple in our modern cinema for over a decade and each movie seems to improve over the other as far as fans are concerned. Unfortunately the films lost the late Paul Walker who passed away due to a terrible automobile accident on November 30th 2013. But as they say the show must go on and they certainly did as the movies have continued to dominate the box office whenever a new one comes out, but with loving memory of Walker always in mind.
6. Rush Hour 2. 2001.
The first Rush Hour became a classic but Rush Hour 2 managed to not only recapture the magic and chemistry of the first movie but even enhance it. Lee and Carter are vacationing in Lee’s hometown Hong Kong when they get caught up in a case of a bomb at the Chinese Embassy. Mystery, intrigue, action and uproarious comedy, Lee and Carter’s vacation never stood a chance. There are just as many classic moments and hilarious lines throughout the film and it’s now considered the best and funniest out of all three movies.
5. Star Wars: Episode V- The Empire Strikes Back. 1980.
Most fans consider this second film in the Star Wars franchise to be the best out of every other film, even the first movie. It had many iconic moments like the introductions of Master Yoda and Billy Dee Williams’ Lando Calrissian and the classic “Luke, I am your father” line from Darth Vader. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) face attack by the Imperial forces and its AT-AT walkers on the ice planet Hoth. While Han and Leia escape in the Millennium Falcon, Luke travels to Dagobah in search of Yoda. Only with the Jedi master’s help will Luke survive when the dark side of the Force beckons him into the ultimate duel with Darth Vader (David Prowse).
4. Lethal Weapon 2. 1989.
While all four movies are beloved by many fans around the world, Lethal Weapon 2 is possibly the most well regarded entry out of all four Lethal Weapon movies. The magic was back with Gibson and Glover as the iconic duo Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh. This time they fight a group of South African racists with diplomatic immunity. The film also introduced us to Joe Pesci’s Leo Getz who provided some of the best laughs as well as becoming the Curly to Roger and Riggs’ Mo and Larry. (That’s a Three Stooges reference for you kiddies). The movie had some of the most repeated lines to this day and some amazing action sequences that outshined the first movie. But at the heart of it was the deepening of the tight knit brotherhood of Riggs and Murtaugh which is what these movies are all about.
3. Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan. 1982.
This is the sequel that saved the entire Star Trek movie franchise after the lackluster response to Star Trek The Motion Picture. This filmed is not only considered the best Star Trek film but is considered by many fans and critics as one of the greatest films ever made. Kirk, Spock and the gang are back to fight an old nemesis who seeks to destroy Captain Kirk and everything he loves. A great story about revenge, aging, friendship and death. The film holds two of the most memorable movie moments in history: 1. Spock’s death and 2. Kirk screaming “KHANNNNN!”
2. The Dark Knight. 2008.
Truly a masterpiece on its own, as a Batman film as well as a comic book film it is top of the heap. Christopher Nolan did very well with the first movie Batman Begins but The Dark Knight trumped all over that film til it was a speck of dust. Gotham is under fire when The Joker comes out to play. Chaos and Anarchy is on full display and it’s up to Bruce Wayne to stop it. The film gave us some iconic lines and scenes that in my personal opinion has not been topped by any comic book films since. A perfect crime movie as there ever has been.
- The Godfather part 2. 1974.
While The Godfather managed to become a cinematic icon and one of the most beloved films of all time, Godfather part 2 took it up a notch and managed to miraculously outshine the first film winning six Oscars including Best Director for Francis Ford Coppola, Best Supporting Actor for Robert DeNiro and Best Adapted Screenplay for Mario Puzo and Coppola. The film has remained significant in the gangster film genre and film-making period. The film picks up right where it left off with Michael Corelone officially taking over the family business after the passing of his father. We’re also treated to flashbacks of the elder Corleone’s origins and how he rose to power. Truly the most dynamic and universally lauded sequel of an iconic movie ever.
There are quite a few more worthy sequels out there like Superman 2 and the first Dirty Harry sequel Magnum Force, but unfortunately I had to narrow it down quite a bit. ’Til next time, folks!