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Ah, nothing is as distressing as a sequel. Remember 'Superman III,' 'Batman and Robin', 'Star Trek V'? Ok, are you still trying to remember, or have you stopped foaming at the mouth and banished the memory from your psyche? Ok, ok, so they weren't THAT horrible (well, depending on who you talk to) but just the same, they aren't even close to matching the expectations of the originals. But every once in a while, if the stars are right and the Muse if kicking butt, you get something that takes the original into an entirely new direction. And no, I'm NOT listing the "LOTR' because technically that's one biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig movie rather then three separate movies. So there.
1. 'Star Trek II; The Wrath of Khan'. Let's start with one of the BEST sequels, period. I've heard people say this should have been the movie to start the line. Everything is head and shoulders above the original; cool villain (Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!), a bunch of revelations (My son!??!??!?), some of the best starship tactics this side of Honor Harrington, and most important THEY GOT RID OF THE STUPID SPACE PAJAMAS FROM THE FIRST MOVIE!
2. 'Aliens'. How do you take of the great horror movies and create an awesome sequel? Put the alien on a cruise ship? Nah. Have Ripley fight the alien with a butter knife? Nope. How about letting Jim Cameron go ape with the script? Oh yeaaaaaaaaaaah! Rather then falling into the 'Friday the 13th' trap and simply rehash the plot with new, bodacious bodies, 'Aliens' became an action-movie with memorable heroes (Even Gorman turned out to be a real Marine in the end), more spooky alien shots (bet you're never gonna look at your ceiling the same again), and one of the best final fights and one-liners in a movie.
3. 'Star Wars, Episode 5 - The Empire Strikes Back'. This wasn't just another chapter in the grand saga, but it introduced a pair of awesome characters that became part of the mythology of 'Star Wars'. Ah, Lando, the antithesis of Han Solo; urbane city-boy and con-artist to Solo's blue-collar guy, and just as skilled and fun to watch. And don't forget Master Yoda. Only the genius of Frank Oz could take a mass of foam and turn it into the venerable, wise, and powerful Jedi Master.
4. 'Terminator 2 - Judgement Day'. Can't forget this one, and yes the SECOND Jim Cameron film. The beauty of the story is the interaction between Ahnald, Edward Furlong, and Linda Hamilton. Sure this is the most dysfunctional family ever assembled on the big screen, but it is a family as it fights to survive against a nearly invincible chameleon. And the closing scene in the foundry is a tear-jerker and priceless.