Top Ten Favorite Movie Sequels

Film sequels, generally, are not held in high praise.  That is not reason to dismiss them though, since classics do emerge from time to time.  Here is a list of my favorite sequels of all time.  There are some glaring omissions from my list but I address that at the end.

10. Godzilla vs Destroyah: Takao Okawara

There are 28 Godzilla movies, so I had plenty of sequels to choose from.  Godzilla vs Destroyah is my favorite of them all because it is the Godzilla film where you care the most about Godzilla.  He is more than just a giant monster destroying the city or saving the day from another Kaiju.  Instead, he is a figure we have seen in numerous other films, becoming attached to, and is now on the brink of death.  This makes Godzilla a stronger character with more than destruction defining him. 

9. Three Colors: Red: Krzysztof Kieślowski

This is kind of a cheat since it really is not a direct continuation of the story in Three Colors: Blue or Three Colors: White, but hey, it's part of the same trilogy and came out after them, so it's a sequel.  One reason why I am including this on the list is to encourage a viewing from people who may not have heard of it.  Red features believable and interesting characters that have conversations that really make the viewer think.  These are not merely black and white issues but ones that challenge us.

8. Batman Returns: Tim Burton

I love the look of the Tim Burton Batman movies.  The strong element of German Expressionism mixed with Burton's own 'clowns from hell' style is always satisfying to the eye.  Some of the action and set pieces don't hold up quite as well to the Nolan films but I still find the characters, as a whole, to be more interesting in the Burton films.  Danny Devito is great as The Penguin, playing a tragic but at the same time disgusting and horrible creature, while Bruce Wayne's relationship with Selena Kyle is also played out well.  

7. Rocky IV: Sylvester Stallone

During this movie I noticed a lot of changin....  In all seriousness, Rocky IV is an all out extravaganza of awesome 80's fun.  Can you name another movie that ended The Cold War?  I didn't think so.  After Rocky III, the series almost became tiring, but Rocky IV fixed that up by killing off a major character, adding some political flair, and mixing up the montage in the best way possible.  Seriously, the training montage is one of the best things to happen to movies.

6. The Dark Knight: Christopher Nolan

Before he decided to rise, The Dark Knight was shaping to be one of the greatest of film franchises.  So many people have praised this movie I feel like saying anything would be uninteresting and redundant.  So instead, I will just say what I don't like about the movie.  Actually, my only major complaint is the fans.  Man are they annoying.  I do not mean everyone who likes the movie is annoying; it's mostly non-Batman fans that overly praise this movie that get on my nerves.

5. Terminator 2: Judgement Day: James Cameron

James Cameron really knows how to make a sequel.  The man directed both this and Aliens, two movies that are often times considered to be of the best sequels ever made.  Terminator 2 is a movie that I watched constantly as a kid growing up, which I guess can be seen as strange.  The set pieces are excellent and get my heart pumping but the real highlight of the film are the human elements.  This is the humanity shown by the actual humans, but more importantly, the machine.

4. The Empire Strikes Back: Irvin Kershner

So much of what is iconic about Star Wars comes from its sequel, The Empire Strikes Back.  Darth Vader's big reveal, Yoda's teachings, and even The Imperial March.  Although, I prefer the original, I am in the minority with that opinion with most people hailing Empire as the best in the franchise.  Much of the praise is for the darker tone, including a lack of a happy ending.  I agree, Empire is a fantastic film, the original just has more little things a prefer.

3. The Silence of the Lambs: Jonathan Demme

For those who do not know, The Silence of the Lambs, is indeed, a sequel.  I am not referring to the Red Dragon film from 2002 but instead Manhunter from 1986.  Anyone who talks about The Silence of the Lambs puts much of their focus on Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of Hannibal Lecter.  That is because he creates one of the greatest and most memorable characters to ever appear on film.  He does not steal the show though, for Jodie Foster also does a terrific job as Clarice Starling.

2. Bride of Frankenstein: James Whale

Like many of the entrees on this list, people often times consider Bride of Frankenstein to be better than the original film.  One of the major reasons is because director James Whale, with more creative freedom, goes deeper into the psyche of the monster, making him more relatable and tragic.  The other characters are also interesting, both returning and newcomers.  Dr. Frankenstein appears tormented and torn in creating the bride while Dr. Pretorius is one of the finest mad scientists presented on a screen.  "To a new world of gods and monsters!" 

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: Peter Jackson

The Lord of the Rings movies were great up to The Return of the King.  With The Return of the King, the trilogy became memorable.  Once the third installment was released, thus completing the trilogy, one was able to finally see the whole picture, all the plot points tied together, and characters reaching their destinies.  Peter Jackson really wows the audience with grand battles and set pieces throughout the 251 minute run time.  In particular, the Battle of the Pelennor Fields is one of the great film moments.  Some people are not fond of how long the film takes to end, but I disagree with their complaints.  When a series has spanned over 10 hours it needs to take its time ending.  

Notable Omissions: The Bourne Ultimatum, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, and The Godfather Part II.  I have not seen The Bourne Ultimatum in a while and the other two films I have only seen once.  Therefore, I did not feel comfortable including them on the list without being able to give them the proper amount of thought and consideration.  Oh, and I guess people would be expecting Aliens.  Didn't make the cut.