Sequel Superiority

[daemon37]

Sequel is a dirty word now. Everyone seems to complain when movie sequels get announced, saying they're never as good as the original. Most of the time this is true. Yet, there are rare cases where the second movie is far superior to the first. It could be better for any number of reasons, but there is something about it that the original just didn't have. So I don't think it is fair to talk crap about a sequel just because of what it is. A sequel only deserves to be prejudged based on the earlier installments in the series (eg. If you liked Rush Hour, then go watch Rush Hour 2).

My favorite superior sequel is Aliens (sequel to Alien). Though I do really like the original, this second installment in the franchise is simply better in every possible way, and is endlessly quotable. Game over man! It's game over! (NOTE: Alien 3 sucked hard)

QUESTION: What's your favorite superior sequel?

Aliens: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090605/

 

[Daystar Clarion]

How is Aliens a superior sequal? Aliens is to Dead Space, what Amnesia the Dark Descent is to Alien.

Both are great, but one of those is a hell of a lot scarier than the other.

OP: The Empire Strikes Back.

 

[Rawne1980]

Guyver Dark Hero.

Was a lot better than Mutronics.

 

[kingcom]

OP: The Empire Strikes Back.

I think we're done here...

 

[Loner Jo Jo]

Toy Story 2 is my favorite out of the trilogy.

 

[Richardplex]

*raises hand o/* Is this just films or are games included?

 

[Mr Thin]

Ah, Hudson. You have proved a most renewable source of hilarity. I say that line all the time, sometimes without provocation. It's just so funny.

OT: Assuming you mean movie sequels, my favourite sequel would have to be...

The Dark Knight. Easiest answer, first one that comes to mind. It's not that Batman Begins was bad, it was great; but The Dark Knight was so explosively awesome that it pulled ahead anyway.

Another sequel that I enjoyed more than the original, although I'm not so sure I'd call it a superior movie, is The Chronicles of Riddick. I just love the film, it's so cool.

 

[LookingGlass]

I prefer Alien, personally. Another popular choice is The Godfather part 2 but I thought part 1 was much better.

There are very few but I could make an argument for Die Hard 3 over the first two and Evil Dead 2 over Evil Dead. Those two series are close though.

I found Terminator 2 to be significantly better than the original though. That's one I have no trouble with.

 

[Crises^]

god father part 2
the two towers
empire strikes back
aliens
terminator 2
Desperado
mad max 2

 

[Henkie36]

Dark Knight is way better then all of the Batman movies - hands down. Batman Begins was better the the pre-Joel Schumacher movies, but that didn't have Heath Ledger.

And Dark of the Moon was a hell of a lot better then Revenge of the Fallen. Still, not good, but you know what I mean.

 

[Layzor]

Assassin's Creed 2 and (don't hate me) MW 2.

 

[Not Enough Gun]

My favourite sequel is X-Men 2. It was a great continuation from what was laid down in the first film, had some fantastic action beats, great acting, especially from Brian Cox and Ian McKellen, and just a good story. Was kinda disappointed with the first X-Men. Was a great film but was lacking in the story department. All first movies in a planned franchise suffer this but X-Men most of all because off the history and mythology of the source material. But X-Men 2 rectified that. And it has one of my favourite opening scenes ever.

 

[K84]

Superman II, I was great, but i liked II better, for Zod and the kneeling etc.

I liked Alien 3 btw.
Never got why many people hate it over....Firefly Try-out/Alien 4

 

[surg3n]

I have to agree on Aliens, its my favorite movie. It's not strictly a horror film, but IMO it's the best sci-fi action film ever made. Alien is one of the best sci-fi horror films, if not the best. Alien 3 was terrible, but I did like Alien Res' - I liked the atmosphere and characters in Alien3, the thing that killed it for me was the CG Alien.

Other than Aliens, I struggle to think of another better sequel. I always preferred Terminator to Terminator2, even though T2 is an awesome movie.

 

[Titan Buttons]

Assassain's Creed 2, Toy Story 2 and 3, Team Fortress 2, XXX 2. I can't really think of many others.

 

[Scarim Coral]

I prefer Iron Man 2 over Iron Man since the origin story is in the first film so it leave the sequel with more character development and action etc.
I also thought Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was slightly better than the first film.

 

[WolfThomas]

I also thought Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer was slightly better than the first film.

I actually thought Rise of The Silver Surfer was much better than the first, still a terrible movie, but alot more fun.

 

[Vibhor]

Everything made by pixar. No exceptions.
Also morrowind if games are allowed

 

[supermariner]

Okay well my first thought was Aliens when i saw the thread
seems the OP had that covered. Good man.

okay well here's my list, feel free to disagree, but i are be thinking it nontheless:-

- Terminator 2
- Crank 2
- Die Hard 3 (i know, not the FIRST sequel, but it still counts)
- Rambo 2
- Rocky 3
- Indiana Jones 3

There's plenty more but i'm not going to clog up my post with them
And as for games, well i don't think it needs to go there.
In my experience theres USUALLY an improvement from game sequels when compared to how often the original idea is improved in film sequels

 

[Aprilgold]

Fallout 3
Movie wise, well...
Toy Story 3.
I just love me some threes.