My vote has to go to Rocky II. In my opinion Rocky is one of the few rated 10 movies ever. It was almost as good.. a solid 9 out of 10. Godfather II is the same....
The most obvious is terminator 2, the second Batman was also awesome but so was the first so it doesn’t stand out as much. Another kind of cheat one but LOR 2 was also really good but they shot all three at once so you would expect that.
but there are some HYSTERICAL lines in Major League II. Rube character was absolutely flawless and some of the exchanges he had with Parkman were top notch.
But, I want to shout out to ultimate over-the-top blockbuster sequel...
Gremlins 2
Its a complete tonal shift from the original, wacky, insane and kind of fun. What happens when the creators don't want a sequel, but the studio throws too much money at them to pass up? Just throw every idea you have and frame a movie around it.
That movie had everything, and threw the kitchen sink at you. Won't be anything like it again. Leaps in technical innovation, great cinematography, dialogue scrubbed, continued brilliant art design and music, dialogue scrubbed of the horrific influence of Lucas, compelling story, theme, mood and characters, epic innovative battle scenes, a love story that develops and doesn't seem forced, and to top it off the greatest plot twist of all time.
That movie had everything, and threw the kitchen sink at you. Won't be anything like it again. Leaps in technical innovation, great cinematography, dialogue scrubbed, continued brilliant art design and music, dialogue scrubbed of the horrific influence of Lucas, compelling story, theme, mood and characters, epic innovative battle scenes, a love story that develops and doesn't seem forced, and to top it off the greatest plot twist of all time.
Not sure if it's quite as good as the original but in my eyes it's close. Shame they put off III for decades seemingly until Ramis finally died and it became impossible. Hated whatever they made in 2016. I refuse to acknowledge its existance
Color of Money was pretty good, but imo Newman got his Academy Award to make up for not being nominated in The Hustler, a better movie. I also like all of the stars in the original better than Cruise.
Bourne--none of them great, but I liked Ultimatum the best.
Rings--I liked The Return the best.
Empire Strikes Back.
Terminator II.
For a Few Dollars More.
In this discussion that ranks Godfather II #1 among sequels, great analysis:
Quote:
What really sets The Godfather Part II apart, though, are the flashbacks to Vito Corleone’s own rise to power. The parallels between these two stories give us a terrifying idea about where Michael gets his unflinching cruelty from, and an understanding of how Vito became the man he was in The Godfather.
Ultimately, what makes The Godfather Part II so deeply perfect is the fact that it defines what a sequel should be. It tells a different story with the same characters, one that enriches them instead of retreading them. It manages to be even more compelling than its predecessor, and that’s saying something. It’s a sequel, but it’s also a landmark film.
Let me be the first. LOTR The Two Towers. Harry Potter The Chamber of Secrets. Also, Guardians of the Galaxy 2.
I agree with Two Towers - easily the best of the trilogy. But IMO Chamber of Secrets was the worst Harry Potter movie. I would say Prisoner of Azkoban was the best.
Back to the Future 2
The Dark Knight
Empire Strikes Back
Aliens
Winter Soldier
Wrath of Khan
Dawn of the Dead
I know Red Dragon came first for the books and I think Manhunter was the first movie.
John Wick 2
Winter Soldier
Evil Dead 2
Toy Story 2
For a Few Dollars More
Star Trek 2: Wrath of Khan.
Magnum Force and Troll 2.
But, I want to shout out to ultimate over-the-top blockbuster sequel...
Gremlins 2
Its a complete tonal shift from the original, wacky, insane and kind of fun. What happens when the creators don't want a sequel, but the studio throws too much money at them to pass up? Just throw every idea you have and frame a movie around it.
Key & Peele - Gremlins 2 Brainstorm
But some are also (tounge and cheek) claiming it is a smart meta-commentary on the excess of Hollywood consumerism and the sequel industry.
Institue of Gremlins 2 Studies - ( New Window )
How about Christmas Vacation?
How about Christmas Vacation?
I love Aliens, but the difference between Alien and Aliens is that they are 2 completely different genera of movies.
Alien is a pure horror flick.
Aliens is an action thriller.
Both are awesome in 2 completely different ways.
While this is the correct answer, The Bourne series each movie (with Matt Damon) was better than the last.
Color Of Money
That movie had everything, and threw the kitchen sink at you. Won't be anything like it again. Leaps in technical innovation, great cinematography, dialogue scrubbed, continued brilliant art design and music, dialogue scrubbed of the horrific influence of Lucas, compelling story, theme, mood and characters, epic innovative battle scenes, a love story that develops and doesn't seem forced, and to top it off the greatest plot twist of all time.
How about Christmas Vacation?
European Vacation was great, too, IMO.
Quote:
Whatever is next is a distant second.
That movie had everything, and threw the kitchen sink at you. Won't be anything like it again. Leaps in technical innovation, great cinematography, dialogue scrubbed, continued brilliant art design and music, dialogue scrubbed of the horrific influence of Lucas, compelling story, theme, mood and characters, epic innovative battle scenes, a love story that develops and doesn't seem forced, and to top it off the greatest plot twist of all time.
Great summary....
Is your father David Newman?
I think all the Bournes and MI have been very good actually...
Also, while I'm on super hero movies. Here are others I thought were better than the first in the series.
Superman II
Spiderman 2 (Sam Raimi)
Captain America - Winter Soldier
Thor - Ragnorok
Quote:
for a film my Dad (RIP) co-authored, "Superman II"
Is your father David Newman?
yes.
Winter Soldier
Godfather II
Aliens
Wrath of Khan
Color of Money was great as a sequel to The Hustler from the 60s
A couple others that come to mind as good for what they were/their genre, and worthy sequels to the original:
Missing in Action 2: The Beginning
Halloween 2
Beverly Hills Cop 2
Naked Gun 2 1/2
Wayne’s World 2
Letters from Iwo Jima came to mind as something that wasn't mentioned. Don't know if that qualifies.
Isn't the Departed a remake of a sequel? The original would qualify. That was a great story.
Color of Money was pretty good, but imo Newman got his Academy Award to make up for not being nominated in The Hustler, a better movie. I also like all of the stars in the original better than Cruise.
Bourne--none of them great, but I liked Ultimatum the best.
Rings--I liked The Return the best.
Empire Strikes Back.
Terminator II.
For a Few Dollars More.
In this discussion that ranks Godfather II #1 among sequels, great analysis:
Ultimately, what makes The Godfather Part II so deeply perfect is the fact that it defines what a sequel should be. It tells a different story with the same characters, one that enriches them instead of retreading them. It manages to be even more compelling than its predecessor, and that’s saying something. It’s a sequel, but it’s also a landmark film.
Best sequels ever made. - ( New Window )
and
Empire Strikes Back
No others come even close.
Should have ended the thread right here.
I agree with Two Towers - easily the best of the trilogy. But IMO Chamber of Secrets was the worst Harry Potter movie. I would say Prisoner of Azkoban was the best.
There were at least 2 votes above for The Two Towers.