Go Back  DVD Talk Forum > Entertainment Discussions > Movie Talk
Reload this Page >

Which of These Critically Maligned Sequels Do You Feel Improves Upon the Original?

Movie Talk A Discussion area for everything movie related including films In The Theaters
View Poll Results: Which of These Critically Maligned Sequels Do You Feel Improves Upon the Original?
Alien 3 or Alien Resurrection
3.75%
Back to the Future, Part II or Part III
30.00%
Ghostbusters 2
3.75%
Hannibal or Red Dragon
6.25%
The Lost World: Jurassic Park or Jurassic Park 3
1.25%
The Matrix Reloaded or The Matrix Revolutions
13.75%
Mission: Impossible II
31.25%
Poltergeist II: The Other Side or Poltergeist III
0
0%
Predator 2
10.00%
The Ring Two
0
0%
Voters: 80. You may not vote on this poll

Which of These Critically Maligned Sequels Do You Feel Improves Upon the Original?

Old 06-14-05, 02:57 PM
  #1  
Banned
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Right now, my location is DVDTalk, but then again, you should already know that, shouldn't you?
Posts: 6,364
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Which of These Critically Maligned Sequels Do You Feel Improves Upon the Original?

Obviously, I could have listed several other options (I had worked up a page a mile long, in fact), but I'm limited to ten options, so I went with the ones with the most likely possibility of living up to the thread title. For myself, I went with BACK TO THE FUTURE, PART II which, for me, improves upon the original in almost every capacity--it's funnier, much more frenetic, denser in plot mechanics, just a riot from start to finish...I'm forever perplexed at the critical and popular disregard in which it is held.
Old 06-14-05, 03:05 PM
  #2  
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
Kal-El's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Fortress of Solitude
Posts: 7,992
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
BTTF II for me as well, followed closely by GB2
Old 06-14-05, 03:09 PM
  #3  
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,835
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
You need a "none of the above" option -- I'd click it. I just don't think any of those improved upon the originals. Doesn't mean I don't like them, just means they weren't as good.
Old 06-14-05, 03:12 PM
  #4  
DVD Talk Hero
 
das Monkey's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 35,879
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I enjoyed many of the films on that list, but none of them improve on their originals, IMO.

das
Old 06-14-05, 03:26 PM
  #5  
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,393
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I haven't seen all of those series, but of the ones I have, I also do not feel than any improved on the original.
Old 06-14-05, 03:29 PM
  #6  
Moderator
 
Geofferson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: The Village Green
Posts: 39,752
Received 90 Likes on 76 Posts
I voted for M:I 2 as I felt it improved upon the original (I think it received better reviews as well).
Old 06-14-05, 03:33 PM
  #7  
DVD Talk Special Edition
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mobile, AL
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Another vote for "none of the above"... in fact, some of these are poor choices? Spider-Man 2 would be better than listing GB 2 of all things, for example.
Old 06-14-05, 03:43 PM
  #8  
Banned
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Right now, my location is DVDTalk, but then again, you should already know that, shouldn't you?
Posts: 6,364
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Geofferson
I voted for M:I 2 as I felt it improved upon the original (I think it received better reviews as well).
Well, neither was particularly well-regarded but, according to rottentomatoes.com, the first film registered 66% positive reviews while the sequel only garnered 57%. The box office for the sequel did surpass the original, so perhaps I should have gone with a different title selection; however, I believe that appreciation for the original has slowly begun to improve with time, whereas I'm the only person I've ever met who enjoys the sequel (not as much as the first, though) so I'd still be curious to encounter people who enjoy John Woo's take on the franchise over DePalma's...
Old 06-14-05, 03:45 PM
  #9  
Banned
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Right now, my location is DVDTalk, but then again, you should already know that, shouldn't you?
Posts: 6,364
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by ShagMan
in fact, some of these are poor choices? Spider-Man 2 would be better than listing GB 2 of all things, for example.
Why would I list SPIDER-MAN 2, when it was considered an improvement over the original by both critics and audiences alike? Perhaps you should re-read the thread title...
Old 06-14-05, 03:53 PM
  #10  
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I was tempted to vote for Back to the Future and qualify it by saying only II, not III, surpassed the developments and themes of the original. But the original Back to the Future and Part II are far too different from one another to really effect each film's own particular quality. The original uses nostalgia and sentimentality to propel the plot, where the time travel is a means to an end. Part II revels in plot convolutions and uses the narrative to amplify the non-linear timelines and characterizations. Part II is about time travel and the original is about a son gaining respect for his father.

My point is, Part II does not really inform any aspect of the original, so I can't say it improved my viewing of Part I.

Part III simply culls from the 2 previous films to create an inferior product on all ends (though the allusions to Westerns are amusing).

So I voted for the Matrix sequels because 1) the second and third film are as different from the original as they are from one another 2) the self-contained world in The (original) Matrix gains greater breadth by the labrynthine hierarchies and societies portrayed and alluded to in Reloaded and Revolutions.

I find all three films silly, but the sequels have a much greater scope, visually and stylistically, than the first.
Old 06-14-05, 04:06 PM
  #11  
DVD Talk Limited Edition
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Warren, MI
Posts: 5,976
Received 142 Likes on 97 Posts
I went with M:I 2 though I think my answer could change depending on what direction the third film goes. MI2 cranked up the action a notch and if that is the direction the franchise is headed then it was an "improvement" over the first (though I do enjoy the original). If the third film goes back to the team work aspect and aims for more character development then I'd be inclined to characterize the sequel as a diversion in the road rather than an improvement.
Old 06-14-05, 04:06 PM
  #12  
Banned
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Right now, my location is DVDTalk, but then again, you should already know that, shouldn't you?
Posts: 6,364
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by sundog
My point is, Part II does not really inform any aspect of the original, so I can't say it improved my viewing of Part I.
I daresay you may be over-thinking my query--I'm simply asking which sequel (if any) you think is a more enjoyable overall movie-watching experience than the original series entry, regardless of how it informs or fails to inform that original.
Old 06-14-05, 04:11 PM
  #13  
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
Joe Molotov's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oklahoma, USA
Posts: 8,507
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I thought Predator 2 was really good, in an over-the-top, non-stop action, 80's movie kind of way. You just can't make a movie like that anymore, where gangbangers are snorting coke while shooting at cops, only to be skinned alive by an alien a few minutes later, and that's just in the first 10 minutes.
Old 06-14-05, 04:24 PM
  #14  
Retired
 
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 27,449
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I'd have to say Mission Impossible 2. It's not great, but it's a good popcorn flick, where as I though the first one was kind of boring.
Old 06-14-05, 04:33 PM
  #15  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Jaymole's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: N.Y, N.Y
Posts: 10,516
Received 441 Likes on 249 Posts
The only film on that list that i would vote for is BTF II.
Old 06-14-05, 04:34 PM
  #16  
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East of Ypsi
Posts: 8,905
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Originally Posted by das Monkey
I enjoyed many of the films on that list, but none of them improve on their originals, IMO.

das
Agreed.
Old 06-14-05, 04:41 PM
  #17  
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Filmmaker
I daresay you may be over-thinking my query--I'm simply asking which sequel (if any) you think is a more enjoyable overall movie-watching experience than the original series entry, regardless of how it informs or fails to inform that original.
My original statement is still valid.

Back to the Future Parts I and II are both equally enjoyable (if inherently different) experiences. Hence my not voting for them.

And Reloaded and Revolutions are much more interesting in many regards than their predecessor. That the two sequels actually persuaded me to cool my contempt of the original only increases my appreciation of them.
Old 06-14-05, 04:52 PM
  #18  
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
 
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 4,688
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
How could you forget the great Lethal Weapon 2?

That is far better than the original in every way. While the original is a good film,it is to cliched and by the numbers with other buddy cop/detective films. ie-the plot and situations seem right out of any cop drama on tv,as well as countless other cop films(especially 80's cop stuff).

So while it may have been 'fresh' when it was released,it does'nt completely hold up after all the countless spinoffs.


Meanwhile part 2 pulls no punches and goes for the jugular. It has some terrific charecters and dialogue,along with some spectacular action set pieces that really grip you.


I also would have to say Psycho II is on par with the greatness of the original. A taunt truly suspensful chiller that delivers on all accounts. While this does get some good reviews,most critics are lukewarm with ** star ratings since they just 'can't' admit to finding it as good,if not better than a Hitchcock film.
Old 06-14-05, 04:52 PM
  #19  
DVD Talk Limited Edition
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Lake Ridge, VA
Posts: 6,512
Received 33 Likes on 24 Posts
I thought MI2 was better than the original. I simply didn't like the first one much at all.
Old 06-14-05, 04:55 PM
  #20  
Banned
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Right now, my location is DVDTalk, but then again, you should already know that, shouldn't you?
Posts: 6,364
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by sundog
My original statement is still valid.

Back to the Future Parts I and II are both equally enjoyable (if inherently different) experiences. Hence my not voting for them.
Fair enough, but your original post doesn't seem to indicate such...
Old 06-14-05, 04:58 PM
  #21  
Banned
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Right now, my location is DVDTalk, but then again, you should already know that, shouldn't you?
Posts: 6,364
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Julie Walker
How could you forget the great Lethal Weapon 2?
Because it wasn't a critical or audience disappointment...again, read the thread title.

Originally Posted by Julie Walker
I also would have to say Psycho II is on par with the greatness of the original. A taunt truly suspensful chiller that delivers on all accounts. While this does get some good reviews,most critics are lukewarm with ** star ratings since they just 'can't' admit to finding it as good,if not better than a Hitchcock film.
Now, that would qualify; however, again, I only had ten selection options, and I'd have to eat my shoe if more than one person was willing to admit they love PSYCHO II over Hitchcock's classic original, so I chose to go with other choices...
Old 06-14-05, 05:00 PM
  #22  
DVD Talk Legend
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Times Square
Posts: 12,135
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
None of the above.
Old 06-14-05, 06:39 PM
  #23  
DVD Talk Legend
 
matome's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: NY
Posts: 12,304
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
None. The only from that list that comes close to the original IMO would be Predator 2
Old 06-14-05, 07:27 PM
  #24  
DVD Talk Hero
 
PopcornTreeCt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 25,913
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Back to the Future Part 2, I actually like it better than the original. What's up with Mission Impossible 2 winning? That was like one of the all time worst movies ever. I bought it only for the MTV Ben Stiller skit.
Old 06-14-05, 07:32 PM
  #25  
Retired
 
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 27,449
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
M:I2 2as somthing of a love hate movie.

Some people like myself thought it was a decent mindless action flick, others loathe it.

Like I said, it's not great but I didn't care for the first one much at all, so I easily like the sequel more.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.