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Superman II |
Superman II has one of the best film villains in history in General Zod and he is the primary reason this sequel finds its way onto this list. With his band of deviant minions he arrives on Earth and begins wreaking havoc. Whether you are a fan of the original cut or the newly released "Donner Cut" I don't think there are many out there that will dispute Superman II as one of the greatest sequels to every be released and the last time a Superman themed film was actually worth watching.
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Rocky II |
For me, deciding between Rocky II and Rocky IV was not an easy task. In the end it came down to redemption. What made the first Rocky film so good was the fact that he lost. It went against all expectations and it made it so the ending of Rocky II was earned. It wasn't cliché. Rocky earned his rematch against Apollo and he earned his victory. While Rocky IV is still one of the most entertaining popcorn flicks I own (primarily for its soundtrack and over the top message), there is no way it beats out Rocky II when it comes to overall quality.
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Magnum Force |
This may in fact be my one dark horse not expected by most. Personally Magnum Force is the best Dirty Harry film above and beyond all others. As interesting as the first film is, it has far too much brawn and not enough brains. The great thing about Magnum Force is that it actually manages to make those that are out there to protect and serve into visible villains. By this I mean a motorcycle cop is no longer looked at as a cop, he's a bit intimidating by look alone. The scene with the three bikers in the garage is devastatingly intense and the violence in the film is so savage and nonchalant I can't help but love this film. It elevates the franchise to a height it had never achieved and never would again.
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Aliens |
I believe I am in the minority when I say this, but I prefer Ridley Scott's Alien just a smidge more than James Cameron's Aliens. However, it isn't as if that is saying anything derogatory as these are two great films that will stand the test of time when it comes to science-fiction horror. Both Alien and Aliens have never been topped. In my opinion they are the two greatest science-fiction horror films of all-time, due, in large part, to the men behind them. The most shocking thing perhaps is that Cameron's Aliens is considered by many (if not most) to be the better of the two. I say this is shocking only because the first one was so damned good that to think people could prefer the sequel is a testament to the quality of Cameron's work. I don't have to think it is the better film to respect the fact that so many others do.
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The Dark Knight |
I had a really hard time deciding whether this one would fall in or out of the top five. The decision basically came down to the fact that I think it is still a little too early to judge this film entirely in terms of greatness and upon second viewing I really started to feel the length of the whole thing. I stand by my "A+" review, but this isn't a list entirely based on my opinion of a film as much as a film's place in history as you will see in coming selections. The Dark Knight's place in history will be decided over the next five years as superhero movies are sure to turn more to a darker more brooding tone. Should the shift in filmmaking work the effect this film has had on the world of film will undoubtedly put it into the stratosphere. Batman Begins encouraged the more realistic tone of Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk and the films were better for it. The Dark Knight is sure to shape the tone of Iron Man 2, the next Superman film and countless films beyond that. The legacy of The Dark Knight is yet to be determined, but it certainly looks promising.
I will be in minority here, big time, because I never felt Godfather 2 was all that great of a sequel. The acting was good and the whole flashback story was interesting, but Michael's rise really didn't add anything that was better than the original.
Moreover, the whole Bourne franchise seemed like watching the same thing over and over again…I know, minority again!
I am very happy to see Before Sunset. It is a fantastic film. Romantic films aren't usually my favorite films, mainly because they are so predictable and boring, but this film and Before Sunrise made me sit there with a stupid grin on my face and a fuzzy feeling. I love these films and Linklater, Hawke and Delpy are fantastic. I think I'll add my top 10 also here. I am imposing on me the rule that only one film pr. series can be in the list or both Bournes would have a entry on its own and it doesn't have to be direct sequel as long as it is just a sequel.
1. The Dark Knight
2. The Bourne Supremacy
3. Before Sunset
4. Terminator 2: Judgement Day
5. Infernal Affairs 2
6. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
7. Spider-Man 2
8. X2: X-Men United
9. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
10. Back to the Future 2
Very cool. I was just wondering when you'd add another one to the site.
I find it hard to disagree with really anything on the list. In fact, I agree with many of your choices regarding sequels that supposedly are better than the originals (i.e. Aliens, Godfather II). While I love both – I would have had an extremely difficult time picking one to be considered better than the other. Which would lead me to just go with the fact that they're great sequels – in their own right [not necessarily better than the original, just great sequels].
I can't see my own top ten being much different – maybe, just slightly; however, my ranking is definitely different:
10. Godfather II
9. Magnum Force
8. Superman II
7. X2: X-men United
6. Rock IV
5. The Dark Knight
4.Terminator 2: Judgment Day
3. Wrath of Khan (I was tempted to replace it with First Contact; however, I'm sticking to the premise of the Star Trek series as a complete entity, rather than Original Series cast and Next Generation cast.)
2. Empire Strikes Back
1. Aliens
As always, thanks for another great list!
Could you technically call Kill Bill Volume 2 a sequel? It's kind of the same thing when people say Two Towers or Return of the King are sequels. I just can't go along with that line of thought? Is that why LOTRs were left off or is it just b/c you didn't dig them enough to place them.
I think you meant why Two Towers and ROTK are not sequels? Yeah, I don't really consider Kill Bill Volume 2 a sequel and I also don't think it would be in the top ten if I did. If you are wondering why I have it in the Honorable Mention, it is simply because I didn't explain it in the opening. I felt if I sat and explained why so many movies weren't on the list I may have never actually got to the list.
I really like Before Sunset, but I have never seen Before Sunrise. I am going to move it up on my Netflix queue.
good choices, but i think 'before sunset' would be placed on the bottom 5. i like the film, i really do. but to exceed expectations from the viewing public, it didnt much pushed through. though the first one was great as well
The only argument I would use against that is the fact that it is a romance featuring just two people talking. The mere fact that it can be anywhere near as good as it is (in my mind of course) makes it that much more special to me.
Batman – Batman Returns – Batman Begins – The Darknight
The Mummy – The Mummy Returns – I hate the third sequel
The Bourne Identity – The Bourne Supremacy – The Bourne Ultimatum
Spiderman – Spiderman 2 – Spiderman 3
Starwars – The Phantom Menace – Attack of the Clones – Revenge of the Sith – A New Hope – Return of the Jedi
Before Sunrise – Before Sunset
Rocky – Rocky II – Rocky III – Rocky IV – Rocky V – Rocky Balboa
Night of the Living Dead – Dawn of the Dead
Toy Story – Toy Story 2
Xmen – Xmen United – Xmen: The Last Stand
Damn, I didn't even think of Dawn of the Dead, that original flick is one of the classic horror films. Good call!
Transformers 2 is coming out too. I loved the first one.
noone said anyhting about mad max films.the vacation movies. i like 3 out of the 4 crow movies.waiting as great.. part 2 is coming out feb 17,09/ butterfly effect one and 2. and the part 3 is coming out this year. and the porky's films and the part 4 is coming out this year too.
Superman II and NOT Terminator 2?? I think that's a BAD DECISION.