7 Superior SciFi Sequels
There's a funny discussion in AMC's video section between Ron and Gene about number movies (movies with numbers in their titles) that has me thinking specifically about sequels.
There's a general perception that sequels are inferior to the original and while that might be true for most movies (Superman IV anyone?), there are a few exceptions. Sometimes sequels are better than the original movies. Here are seven sci-fi sequels that surpass the originals...
Aliens - Ripley returns to the alien planet as part of a space Marine rescue mission.
Why it's better: Multiple aliens; more action; Ripley's Rambo Revenge; Better characters; Bill Paxton's "Game Over" breakdown.
Back to the Future Part II - Marty MacFly must preserve the present by traveling back to the past after Biff steals the DeLorean when Marty travels to the future. Everybody got that?
Why it's better: Embraces time travel and paradoxes in a Gordian Knot of fun; Seeing the cool tech of 2015; re-visiting 1955 with another Marty running around.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan - A Kirk in midlife-crisis battles an enemy from the past near a newly-terraformed planet. Holy Kobayasi Maru!
Why it's better: Ricardo Montalban; Cool Genesis sequence; The death of a major character; Khaaaan!
Superman 2 - Superman must protect the Earth from three super outlaws just released from the Phantom Zone.
Why it's better: Not one, but three super villains to give Supes a run for his money; The city fight sequence.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day - Terminator returns from the future, only this time he's a good guy sent to protect John Connor from the new model Terminator, a shape-shifting cyborg.
Why it's better: Cameron's signature liquid metal special effect used to portray the T-1000; Even more high-octane action; Linda Hamilton's Sarah Connor gets tough.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back - Luke Skywalker learns the ways of the Force under the tutelage of Jedi Master Yoda while Han and Leia get captured by Darth Vader.
Why it's better: The dark mood; The surprise revelation of the decade; maybe, just maybe, the fact that Lucas isn't directing.
The Road Warrior - Mad Max helps defend a small community from bandits in a post-apocalyptic Australian wasteland.
Why it's better: Slicker storyline that expands on Max's characterization; Has that little feral kid with that awesome, razor-sharp boomerang.
I know I'm alone in this, but I thought Alien 3 was the best of the bunch, with Alien Resurrection on par with Aliens -- all in all, the first movie is the weakest entry IMO, though a pretty damn awesome starting point nonetheless.
Alien 3? Really?
I think the revised version, re-edited according to Fincher's original notes, was actually a very good movie, much better than the original theatrical version, but I have a hard time seeing it as superior to either of its predecessors. Not to denigrate Aliens, which is technically an almost flawless movie, but I've always preferred the darker, edgier first Alien.
Can't say much nice about Resurrection either. All of the human characters were so unsympathetic and downright scummy that I really found myself rooting for the monsters, and by the end I was disappointed that anyone survived.
To each his own, I guess.
Original Alien was the best hands down. A true sci-fi horror with many unforgettable scenes. Don't get me wrong, Aliens was a great action movie, too, executed perfectly; and I think David Fincher tried his best Ridley Scott to recapture the mood of the original. But give me the first Alien anyday.
Hey
Back to the Future II was better than the first one ?? Are you guys on drugs or what ???
The second one was not that great at all..they redeemed them selves with a much better third movie but the second was the worst of the three
I have to disagree in the worst way. The third Back to the Future was by far the most disappointing of the trilogy. It was completely dull and lifeless, nothing happened, and then they blew up the Delorean and gave us a STEAM-POWERED LOCOMOTIVE TIME MACHINE. Give me a break, man. It was a complete load.
The second one was fun with all the future stuff and the interaction with the first movie was cool, but for my money the first one is still easily the best of the three.