Most Box Office Hits Have Them, But That Doesn’t Mean Those Are Great As Well!
What do all these movies have in common?
All of these movies as well as other have sequels. Some are just given a number like the Rocky, Godfather and Superman movie series while others are a little more creative and choose to change it up a bit like the Pirates of the Caribbean series.
- The question is what is the best sequel?
- Which one really missed the boat?
For me I love action and comedy movies so I started to think about those types of movies. When I pare down my list I come up with the Lethal Weapon movies. There are 4 movies in the series and I really like all of them. They seem to have a great mix of action and comedy all rolled up into a fun movie to sit back and watch. The characters are great together. With each movie they seem to add the perfect person to mix in with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. I think Joe Pesci is hysterical! The bad guys are great and seem realistic.
Okay, there have been a lot of bad sequels. Yes Grease II was bad. Yes European Vacation was bad. But for me, Caddyshack II starring Jackie Mason was the worst. I loved Caddyshack with Bill Murray, Rodney Dangerfield and Ted Knight. 
Caddyshack II has a weak cast and a terrible story. In fact not sure I can watch it for more than 30 seconds without changing the channel.
Let me know what you think of my choices.
What are your choices for:
- The best sequel?
- The worst sequel?
I look forward to reading your comments.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Best sequel: GODFATHER II–really loved the way it had two stories going on at the same time contrasting and comparing each other. Brilliant film making!
Worst sequel: GODFATHER III–it’s not that it was so bad, the bar was set pretty high by the first two and the third couldn’t even clear it. Still, I’d be first in line, cash in hand for GODFATHER IV.
Other great sequels:
GREMLINS II–for it’s take no prisoners pop culture satire (including jabs at GREMLINS)
BRIDES OF DRACULA–Hammer horror at it’s best. Seriously, check it out!
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY–third time’s the charm for the Man with No Name series.
SON OF PALEFACE (with Bob Hope)
ROCKY III
Sequel I’m waiting for most: Brian DePalma’s follow-up to THE UNTOUCHABLES, currently in production.
January 11th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Don’t laugh…but Shrek 2 is a really funny movie. Definitely better than the first one. I have young kids so I have seen this movie A LOT and I never get tired of it (thankfully). It’s great!
January 11th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Ocean’s Twelve, while it was good, it just couldn’t compare to Ocean’s Eleven. I guess that is what happens we you try to follow a remake with a newly created sequel. Of course, if they made an Ocean’s 14, i would definitely go see it, but only because the chemistry between the characters is amazing.
I thought Kill Bill and Kill Bill Volume II were pretty darn good! And i think the Bourne series is fantastic (however those started out as books so does that count?).
January 11th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Best sequel: Empire Strikes Back
Worst sequel: a tie between “Slapshot 2″ and “Halloween III”
January 14th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I definitely agree with some of the other suggestions!!
The Bad:
Caddyshack II - ugh
Speed II - for me, the absolute worst sequel of all-time; poor Sandra!
Dumb and Dumberer - ok, this means I have to admit that I loved the original, but such is life!
Godfather III - a classic example of trying too hard to cash in on what was previously done with perfection.
The Good:
Godfather II
The Bourne series - (Yes, Stephenie; I think this counts, AND I think Jason makes James Bond look like a wannabe!!)
Rocky II (the last of the good ones)
The Lord of the Rings trilogy
January 15th, 2008 at 8:33 am
I agree that Godfather II is right up there with the best sequels.
I would add Analyze THIS and THAT to the plus side. I thought Thelma and Louise was perfect for a seqel. I envisioned them getting hung up on a tree when they went over the cliff allowing them to escape and continue on their way.
My nomination for the worst is the Pirates trilogy. I hated the first and could never think of subjecting myself to more.
Joe
January 17th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Consistently good series: Lord of the Rings, Oceans, Star Wars (4-6), Bourne
I also liked the Mission Impossible series but I’m also a big Tom Cruise fan.
I think Spiderman 3 was a let-down — too sappy, not enough thrill and suspense.
Did anyone see Jaws 3-D in 1983? Even though all of the Jaws sequels flopped, I have to admit the 3-D effects were really cool.
Blanket statement about horror film sequels — they are all bad. As far as I’m concerned, there is only one Halloween film — the original from 1978. (Sorry all you Rob Zombie fans.)
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:36 am
In my 12 year old son’s opinion - Worst……Sandlot II. The Sandlot was a great baseball flick for kids. The follow-up was…..well….aweful ! In his words……..”Dad, this sucks”
January 22nd, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I just went and saw National Treasure Book of Secrets which is the sequel to National Treasure. I enjoyed the movie and like the characters very much. They seem to play off each other very well.
If you like Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight and Ed Harris you should go. It is worth the price of admission.
Merrill
January 28th, 2008 at 11:20 am
No hearing great things about Rambo - in fact hearing really bad things.
I may have to wait until it goes to DVD.
Merrill