Yeah, I guess I put it only 'slightly' sup-par though when compared to your typical sequel. I always loved the more campy, comic book feel to it. And I've seen it hundreds of times and can still enjoy it which I guess says something.
I was thinking of do a list like this but I guess you beat me to it. I would suggest Evil Dead 2 for this list. While I don't personally like it more than the original, I know a lot of people do.
Replace Temple of Doom with Toy Story 2 and Lethal Weapon 2 with The Road Warrior and you have yourself a list.
Also, I prefer Day of the Dead to Dawn, but I feel neither one is on par with the original. Same goes with Die Hard 3. Great movie, not even close to the perfection of the original.
DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE is definitely better than DIE HARD 2 ... kudos for including that, but no DIE HARD sequel can match or equal the masterpiece that is the original.
No ROCKY sequels? You know IV is my favorite, but II and III are still tremendous follow-ups.
I love LETHAL WEAPON 2 ... the openign car chase scene where you see Gibson go crazy and cheering in the passenger seat while Danny is driving just rolling his eyes is just classic! I laugh my ass off everytime I see it.
No PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN sequels? DEAD MAN'S CHEST is not only my favorite, but I thought it was an amazing follow-up. AT WORLD's END was a bit bloated but still good ... while STRANGER TIDES was dissappointing.
CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL is (and will always be) the best one of the series, but to me, DEAD MAN'S CHEST is close right behind it ...
For how much they put in that film, it meshed nicely (Will Turner meeting his father for the first time ... Elizabeth making her (convincing) transition from "lady" to "pirate" ... Norrington redeeming himself to be with his company once again ... and the struggle between Jack and Davy). It all fit very nicely. I loved Davy Jones introduction intot he film ... one of the coolest introductions to a villain I have ever seen ... and most important of all, if nothing else ... DEAD MAN'S CHEST left you in anticipation for the next film with that cliffhanger ending. When I saw it in theaters, the audience applauded as the return of Barbossa.
AT WORLD'S END was good, but definitely bloated in some areas. They could of cut pieces out of that film, and it really wouldnt of hurt the film. The final 45 minutes are edge of your seat exciting.
STRANGER TIDES to me was a bit disappointing in some areas. I was glad they went with a lot less CGI, it made the film the best looking film since the first ... but questionable story development and character decisions (particularly with Blackbeard) really bothered me.
But I'm still with you Ryan on CURSE ... its by far the best one of the series ... soundly written, engaging plot, interesting characters, cool effects, clear resolution ... CURSE definitely hits on all cylinders that most films don't.
Dead Man's Chest has no plot, weak characters with vague allegiances, and a shoddy screenplay. Same goes for At World's End. Curse of the Black Pearl is as close to perfect as a screen story can get. Nothing - Pirates or otherwise - has come close, in terms of recent summer blockbusters.
I also agree with Richard about Ghostbusters 2. Not nearly as tight as the first.
But I will argue that Toy Story 2 is every bit as good as the original. All three films are among the greatest ever made.
Toy Story 2 is pretty weak in comparison to its bookends. No where near as emotionally sophisticated. It's just a quaint little misadventure that the toys get into.
I disagree. Toy Story 2 has the most heart-wrenching flashback scene in movie history, and the approach to Woody's internal conflict was very mature and incredibly well-realized, in terms of integration with the external conflict of the plot. The whole script is flawless. It doesn't seem as "big" as 1 and 3, but it's every bit as good, if you ask me.
It was a very affecting scene but just a scene, detached from the overall rescue plot of the film which relies on a lot of hijinks comedy. So Woody is seduced by the thought of having value until he learns the true value of friendship. Didn't that already happen in the original? It feels smaller because it retreads yet downgrades the relationship of toys to humans except for in that one scene. By the end nothing new has happened except we picked up a couple new characters. It's still 'good' and a pretty tight story, but as emotionally resonant? Meh...
Like your list. I, too, was thinking of making a list about sequels. Perhaps I still will. Some thoughts on this list:
Both Toy Story sequels deserve a spot on this list or any like it. Both tremendous accomplishments.
Lethal Weapon 2 is a great sequel, I don't have a problem with the inclusion here. While I love Temple of Doom, it is not Raiders of the Lost Ark. That said, I think it is a fun watch and I, too, have watched it many, many times.
Die Hard 2 and 3 were good watches in their time (been years since I have seen either) but are not on-par and do not surpass the original. None of the Pirates sequels are on par or surpass the original. Enjoy watching them all you want, but none of them to date hold a candle to COTBP.
I was just thinking about how The Rescuers Down Under is better than the original. I suggest adding that to the list. And I think The Muppets and/or The Great Muppet Caper can be added on here.
I disagree on including Ghostbusters II on here, and I don't think Batman Returns is terrible, I just never think of it as surpassing or equaling the first Batman.
You think Clear and Present Danger is on par or better than The Hunt for Red October? I think Patriot Games is more rewatchable than COPD or THFRO.
I admit Batman Returns and Temple of Doom are guilty pleasures to an extent, maybe not fully on par but 'almost' there in my opinion. Same goes for Ghostbusters 2, although no one ever seems to be with me on that.
I consider Clear and Present Danger a direct sequel to Patriot Games only. That being said I still prefer Patriot Games, but CAPD is a damn good flick.
That's actually a great list. I'm not sure if Temple of Doom is on par with Raiders of the Lost Ark, though...
Yeah, I guess I put it only 'slightly' sup-par though when compared to your typical sequel. I always loved the more campy, comic book feel to it. And I've seen it hundreds of times and can still enjoy it which I guess says something.
sup = sub*
I think Blade 2 deserves to be up there also.
I was thinking of do a list like this but I guess you beat me to it. I would suggest Evil Dead 2 for this list. While I don't personally like it more than the original, I know a lot of people do.
I disagree with Ghostbusters 2, myself. But the rest seem fitting enough.
Replace Temple of Doom with Toy Story 2 and Lethal Weapon 2 with The Road Warrior and you have yourself a list.
Also, I prefer Day of the Dead to Dawn, but I feel neither one is on par with the original. Same goes with Die Hard 3. Great movie, not even close to the perfection of the original.
DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE is definitely better than DIE HARD 2 ... kudos for including that, but no DIE HARD sequel can match or equal the masterpiece that is the original.
No ROCKY sequels? You know IV is my favorite, but II and III are still tremendous follow-ups.
I love LETHAL WEAPON 2 ... the openign car chase scene where you see Gibson go crazy and cheering in the passenger seat while Danny is driving just rolling his eyes is just classic! I laugh my ass off everytime I see it.
No PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN sequels? DEAD MAN'S CHEST is not only my favorite, but I thought it was an amazing follow-up. AT WORLD's END was a bit bloated but still good ... while STRANGER TIDES was dissappointing.
The mere notion that any Pirates sequels are as good as the original made me laugh so hard, I nearly required a hospital visit.
CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL is (and will always be) the best one of the series, but to me, DEAD MAN'S CHEST is close right behind it ...
For how much they put in that film, it meshed nicely (Will Turner meeting his father for the first time ... Elizabeth making her (convincing) transition from "lady" to "pirate" ... Norrington redeeming himself to be with his company once again ... and the struggle between Jack and Davy). It all fit very nicely. I loved Davy Jones introduction intot he film ... one of the coolest introductions to a villain I have ever seen ... and most important of all, if nothing else ... DEAD MAN'S CHEST left you in anticipation for the next film with that cliffhanger ending. When I saw it in theaters, the audience applauded as the return of Barbossa.
AT WORLD'S END was good, but definitely bloated in some areas. They could of cut pieces out of that film, and it really wouldnt of hurt the film. The final 45 minutes are edge of your seat exciting.
STRANGER TIDES to me was a bit disappointing in some areas. I was glad they went with a lot less CGI, it made the film the best looking film since the first ... but questionable story development and character decisions (particularly with Blackbeard) really bothered me.
But I'm still with you Ryan on CURSE ... its by far the best one of the series ... soundly written, engaging plot, interesting characters, cool effects, clear resolution ... CURSE definitely hits on all cylinders that most films don't.
I'm not too sure about Ghostbusters II, either... It's fun, but nowhere near as good as the first one.
And Toy Story 3 (not 2, Ryan ;-)) is one of the greatest sequels of all time.
Dead Man's Chest has no plot, weak characters with vague allegiances, and a shoddy screenplay. Same goes for At World's End. Curse of the Black Pearl is as close to perfect as a screen story can get. Nothing - Pirates or otherwise - has come close, in terms of recent summer blockbusters.
I also agree with Richard about Ghostbusters 2. Not nearly as tight as the first.
But I will argue that Toy Story 2 is every bit as good as the original. All three films are among the greatest ever made.
Toy Story 2 is pretty weak in comparison to its bookends. No where near as emotionally sophisticated. It's just a quaint little misadventure that the toys get into.
I disagree. Toy Story 2 has the most heart-wrenching flashback scene in movie history, and the approach to Woody's internal conflict was very mature and incredibly well-realized, in terms of integration with the external conflict of the plot. The whole script is flawless. It doesn't seem as "big" as 1 and 3, but it's every bit as good, if you ask me.
It was a very affecting scene but just a scene, detached from the overall rescue plot of the film which relies on a lot of hijinks comedy. So Woody is seduced by the thought of having value until he learns the true value of friendship. Didn't that already happen in the original? It feels smaller because it retreads yet downgrades the relationship of toys to humans except for in that one scene. By the end nothing new has happened except we picked up a couple new characters. It's still 'good' and a pretty tight story, but as emotionally resonant? Meh...
Like your list. I, too, was thinking of making a list about sequels. Perhaps I still will. Some thoughts on this list:
Both Toy Story sequels deserve a spot on this list or any like it. Both tremendous accomplishments.
Lethal Weapon 2 is a great sequel, I don't have a problem with the inclusion here. While I love Temple of Doom, it is not Raiders of the Lost Ark. That said, I think it is a fun watch and I, too, have watched it many, many times.
Die Hard 2 and 3 were good watches in their time (been years since I have seen either) but are not on-par and do not surpass the original. None of the Pirates sequels are on par or surpass the original. Enjoy watching them all you want, but none of them to date hold a candle to COTBP.
I was just thinking about how The Rescuers Down Under is better than the original. I suggest adding that to the list. And I think The Muppets and/or The Great Muppet Caper can be added on here.
I disagree on including Ghostbusters II on here, and I don't think Batman Returns is terrible, I just never think of it as surpassing or equaling the first Batman.
You think Clear and Present Danger is on par or better than The Hunt for Red October? I think Patriot Games is more rewatchable than COPD or THFRO.
I admit Batman Returns and Temple of Doom are guilty pleasures to an extent, maybe not fully on par but 'almost' there in my opinion. Same goes for Ghostbusters 2, although no one ever seems to be with me on that.
I consider Clear and Present Danger a direct sequel to Patriot Games only. That being said I still prefer Patriot Games, but CAPD is a damn good flick.