The movie sequels which were better than the original

[Mr Trick]

Very rarely does a follow on better the original film, but there are the odd exception.

From Russia With Love (won't do too many Bond films as there have been so many, but this maybe the best ever and much better than Dr No).
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
SpiderMan 2 (Remi)
Mad Max 2
The Emprie Strikes Back (if it counts)
The Ring 2 (US)
Batman Returns
Shrek 2
The Bourne Supremacy
Bride of Chucky

 

[thetopher]

Terminator 2: This is the obvious one that spings to mind. Although the first film is excellent it's also a lot more dated that the second.

Aliens: Although I honestly prefer the isolationist body horror of the first to the gung-ho action of the second, you could make a case for the sequel being superior.

I do prefer Scream 2 to Scream.

Evil Dead 2 is better than Evil Dead...although its really just a remake with a tighter storyline and a better budget. Don't get me started on the terrible modern remake.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Terminator 2, Aliens

"You got a hard-on for Cameron."

 

[thetopher]

"You got a hard-on for Cameron."

Quite possibly, I'm one of the only people I know of that actually likes 'The Abyss.' 🙂

Although I don't like much of his later work, in fact I maintain that 'Avatar' is one of the worst movies ever made for such a large budget- none of which was spent on a decent script.

 

[Mr Trick]

Terminator 2: This is the obvious one that spings to mind. Although the first film is excellent it's also a lot more dated that the second.

Aliens: Although I honestly prefer the isolationist body horror of the first to the gung-ho action of the second, you could make a case for the sequel being superior.

I do prefer Scream 2 to Scream.

Evil Dead 2 is better than Evil Dead...although its really just a remake with a tighter storyline and a better budget. Don't get me started on the terrible modern remake.

See I purposely left these out because I knew others would bring them up, and because I don't agree.

I like T2 but towards the end it just becomes too much of a mess. Often less is more in these kinds of films and that is why I like the tighter more thriller paced original film. It still has lots of good action, and an interesting story, but doesn't try to over extend itself. Also, I find Arnie as the bad Terminator much more entertaining😉

I don't think Aliens is anywhere near as good as the first film, but then I like that they went in a different direction, and it is still really solid.

Really like Scream 2, still prefer the first one, but I won't argue too much here.

Evil Dead 2? Yeah you may have me there😎 

Quite possibly, I'm one of the only people I know of that actually likes 'The Abyss.' 🙂

Although I don't like much of his later work, in fact I maintain that 'Avatar' is one of the worst movies ever made for such a large budget- none of which was spent on a decent script.

Outside of the effects that film was pretty rotten I agree, and when you consider how much it cost then you do have a good point. When you see how thread bear the first film was I just dread what the sequels will be like😡

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I like T2 but towards the end it just becomes too much of a mess.

Screw the ending.. I just cannot abide the Furlong. I hated the movie because of him BEFORE he screwed his life up and it's just difficult to watch him in it. He's like that damned Anakin kid in Phantom Menace.

 

[thetopher]

Mr. Pole: It was the quote from Scream 2.. if you didnt get it.
Oh, I did. 🙂
Doesn't SMG's 'Cici' says it in film class?
One of the reasons I like the second scream to the first is that it's more ambitious, if not quite as clever, and pulls off some very effective scares. I didn't put 'The Godfather Part 2' because I haven't actually seen it (or the third one) yet.

I like T2 but towards the end it just becomes too much of a mess. Often less is more in these kinds of films and that is why I like the tighter more thriller paced original film. It still has lots of good action, and an interesting story, but doesn't try to over extend itself.

I like sequels that build on the original concept without diluting it too much and T2 does that perfectly.
You still have Skynet, time travel and the coming war, predestiny and the whole 'can the future be changed' stuff that was there in the first one. Sarah Connor is a lot more bad ass (although I do miss Kyle Reece) and I do prefer Arnie's 'good Terminator', but only because we get more time with him on screen. (and less of the little twerp John Connor...)
Plus, I cried like a baby at the end of T2, with the molten steel and the thumb....' (That's just me quoting 'Spaced'. 😉)

I don't think Aliens is anywhere near as good as the first film, but then I like that they went in a different direction, and it is still really solid.

Yeah, I like Alien a lot more. Aliens feels like they just dropped Ripply into a different movie that just happens to have aliens in it. Different vibe, different direction- hell, different genre. Aliens is much more action than horror.

 

[Mr Trick]

Mr. Pole: It was the quote from Scream 2.. if you didnt get it.

Oh, I did. 🙂
Doesn't SMG's 'Cici' says it in film class?
One of the reasons I like the second scream to the first is that it's more ambitious, if not quite as clever, and pulls off some very effective scares. I didn't put 'The Godfather Part 2' because I haven't actually seen it (or the third one) yet.



I like sequels that build on the original concept without diluting it too much and T2 does that perfectly.
You still have Skynet, time travel and the coming war, predestiny and the whole 'can the future be changed' stuff that was there in the first one. Sarah Connor is a lot more bad ass (although I do miss Kyle Reece) and I do prefer Arnie's 'good Terminator', but only because we get more time with him on screen. (and less of the little twerp John Connor...)
Plus, I cried like a baby at the end of T2, with the molten steel and the thumb....' (That's just me quoting 'Spaced'. 😉)



Yeah, I like Alien a lot more. Aliens feels like they just dropped Ripply into a different movie that just happens to have aliens in it. Different vibe, different direction- hell, different genre. Aliens is much more action than horror.

I got it! That whole scene was one of the highlights of the film🙂

I guess the second Scream just isn't as scary. And some of the new characters are a bit weaker than in the first film, such as Sidney's boyfriend who I was glad to see get it😀

But no I still enjoy it a lot.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

One of the reasons I like the second scream to the first is that it's more ambitious

That's why I like the 3rd as well. It didn't quite click, but it was very ambitious and nothing else quite like it at the time.

 

[Mr Trick]

That's why I like the 3rd as well. It didn't quite click, but it was very ambitious and nothing else quite like it at the time.

Don't think it was that ambitious. It was just a lazy gimmick way to drag out the whole post-modern teen slasher idea. Also, Craven had done something simliar with The Last Nightmare film, and that was a far more savage and entertaining satire.

 

[Ethan Reigns]

The Godfather Part II

This is the prequel showing how the Corleone family came into prominence.

 

[Blaze]

At World's end was in my opinion the best Pirates of the Caribbean movie.
The Dark Knight

 

[Mr Trick]

At World's end was in my opinion the best Pirates of the Caribbean movie.
The Dark Knight

Not sure that is really saying much though 😉

I am in the monority but I actually think Batman Begins is the best of that trilogy. The Dark Knight is very good too, but just think the first film had a better structure, and I liked how they went back told the story how everything came into being.

 

[Blaze]

Not sure that is really saying much though 😉

I am in the monority but I actually think Batman Begins is the best of that trilogy. The Dark Knight is very good too, but just think the first film had a better structure, and I liked how they went back told the story how everything came into being

Eh! The Pirate series is one of my favourites, it's flipping awesome.

But for the Dark Knight, it really is Heath Ledger that makes the whole difference for me.

 

[Mr Trick]

Eh! The Pirate series is one of my favourites, it's flipping awesome.

But for the Dark Knight, it really is Heath Ledger that makes the whole difference for me.

TBF I have never seen a whole Pirates film all the way through. The fact that they are based on a theme ground ride does not help for me. Then you have the rubbish choice of directors. They also seem way too long. But the main reason for my lack of interest is that Johnny Depp as a comic actor (also see Lone Ranger) just doesn't convince me. He is a much better dramatic actor. One day I might torture myself by trying to sit through one!😉

 

[thetopher]

I only liked the first Pirates movie- I thought the other two were a huge, bloated, convoluted mess.

I haven't seen the latest one- 'On Stranger Tides' -but I've been told its a lot better than either 'Dead Man's Chest' or 'World's End'.

 

[The Bronze]

Bad Boys 2 and Rush Hour 2 need a mention here. Both upping the action and comedy from the first films into more awesome sequels.

Also agree with most of the above. T2>T1, Dark Knight just above Batman Begins and that Avatar is garbage.

 

[Lyri]

Bad Boys 2, Ghostbusters 2, Catching Fire, Thor 2, Captain America: The Winter Solider, can't think of any more right now.

 

[Mr Trick]

Bad Boys 2, Ghostbusters 2, Catching Fire, Thor 2, Captain America: The Winter Solider, can't think of any more right now.

Not seen Bad Boys 2. Seem to remember the first one being pretty enjoyable but think they should have left it at just the one. Really!? with GB2. The first one was a 80s classic but the follow-up was just a overlong mess. The whole story with the slime controlling people, and the painter narrative was just naff.

 

[Lyri]

I liked the second one more. Maybe it's because I was older (I'm an 80s baby) but the second one had more of an impact on me, made a better impression. It's pretty much the only one I watch.