Sequels that Sucked
Now, this is by no means a comprehensive list and more of an impetus for discussion. Every week Circuit City has a sale on DVDs (you know, the 2 for 10’s, 2 for 15’s, 6.99 each, etc…), most of which are crap but every once in a while you get at least one shining nugget. Last week was not a case of the latter as my purchase included one of the biggest crapfests of all time: Mortal Kombat: Annihilation...the purchase and viewing again of which spawned this blog idea. I have a love for crappy B cinema, but you can’t get much worse than this glorified Power Rangers episode. I really liked the first Mortal Kombat when it came out. I’m not a big fan of special effects, but at the time what they did with the digital in that movie was truly remarkable...it also had a great cast, the set design and cinematography was excellent, and it was interesting that they actually made a story out of it all. A lot of people don’t like Paul Anderson’s work, but I think the guy is brilliant and has a great approach to filmmaking. All that aside, this list consists of flicks where there was something so special about the original that was completely devoid in the next installment. Anyways, finally, here’s my list so far (in alphabetical order):
Analyze That
I don’t remember much about this one other than that when I was in the theatre I just wanted to walk out the whole time. The first one was good, not excellent by any means, but the sequel was just a complete waste of time.
Batman Forever/Batman & Robin
These are a little too easy, so I will only say two words on how these films went wrong: Joel Schumacher.
Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows
A slightly interesting approach in dealing with the cult phenomenon of the first flick (which was by no means a cinematic masterpiece, but still a really interesting approach to low-budget filmmaking and just filmmaking in general). This sequel was just a big Hollywood stylized flick where the only cool thing about it was that they played Godhead during the end credits.
Die Hard 2: Die Harder
The first one was a classic with a brilliant performance by Alan Rickman (his first feature film!). This steaming cow pie just...sucked...and it also loses mucho points when McClane stabs that guy in the eye with an icicle...yeecchh...
Halloween: Season of the Witch
This is the third movie in the Halloween series, but there is NO MICHAEL MYERS in it. What is the point in having a Halloween movie without Michael Myers??? It would be like trying to get off to porn made with Barbie and Ken dolls…just pointless. There are other Halloween movies that sucked, too, but this one is just unforgivable.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of my most favorite films of all time. Temple was such a disappointing follow-up. It was like a big episode of Fear Factor...and there was that eyeball soup...again, yeecchh...
Legally Blonde 2
I’m not a fan of this type of movie, but all the energy and everything special about the first one was completely absent here. Not only was the plot incredibly stupid, also notice how Reese Witherspoon rarely appears in the same frame as any of the other actors which means that she is either a prima donna or they lacked the budget to have all necessary actors on the set at any given time.
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
See comments above.
A Nightmare on Elm Street 2
Wes Craven established all the Freddy rules in the first one only for Jack Sholder to break them all in the sequel. This was the WORST of the series. Another notable sucky Nightmare sequel was the fifth movie (“The Dream Child”)...many of you might argue the suckiness of the other sequels in this franchise, but there was at least one or two cool things in the other movies.
My dishonorable mentions (or movies that sucked but I’d probably still watch again) include:
Airplane II: The Sequel
William Shatner was fucking cool in this movie.
Aliens
Yup, I hated the second Alien movie whereas many people site this one as their favorite in the series (probably just because James Cameron directed it). Having children in these action/thriller/big ass-kicking monster movies is just not believable. I don’t believe for a second that Newt could’ve survived the Alien attacks when everyone else had military weapons and combat experience. That and, to me, the movie is going along at a great pace and then it all stops so Ripley can play mom to this girl which is where the movie drags for me. I know that there are people who can argue that Alien 3 and 4/Resurrection sucked, but I loved David Fincher’s approach to the bleak third chapter and even though 4 was a let-down in so many ways, it had Michael Wincott AND Ron Perlman in it! I’m a big fan of both those guys, so Resurrection was a bit special to me.
The Crow 3 & 4
Eric Mabius and Ed Furlong as The Crow??? At least #4 is kinda fun because you get to see David Boreanaz make an ass out of himself and Dennis Hopper plays some Mexican mafia leader named El Nino.
From Dusk Till Dawn 2 & 3
At least each sequel had Danny Trejo in it…and 2 has Bruce Campbell at the very beginning.
Resident Evil: Apocalypse
Ummm...great poster art?
I had more on the list, but this post is turning out to be kinda long...and I’m sure I’ve forgotten many movies that should hold a place in this Hall of Shame, but I’ll stop here and let you guys take over in the comments section.
"Your mouth says 'No, no,' but my tongue says 'Yes, yes!'"
Analyze That
I don’t remember much about this one other than that when I was in the theatre I just wanted to walk out the whole time. The first one was good, not excellent by any means, but the sequel was just a complete waste of time.
Batman Forever/Batman & Robin
These are a little too easy, so I will only say two words on how these films went wrong: Joel Schumacher.
Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows
A slightly interesting approach in dealing with the cult phenomenon of the first flick (which was by no means a cinematic masterpiece, but still a really interesting approach to low-budget filmmaking and just filmmaking in general). This sequel was just a big Hollywood stylized flick where the only cool thing about it was that they played Godhead during the end credits.
Die Hard 2: Die Harder
The first one was a classic with a brilliant performance by Alan Rickman (his first feature film!). This steaming cow pie just...sucked...and it also loses mucho points when McClane stabs that guy in the eye with an icicle...yeecchh...
Halloween: Season of the Witch
This is the third movie in the Halloween series, but there is NO MICHAEL MYERS in it. What is the point in having a Halloween movie without Michael Myers??? It would be like trying to get off to porn made with Barbie and Ken dolls…just pointless. There are other Halloween movies that sucked, too, but this one is just unforgivable.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of my most favorite films of all time. Temple was such a disappointing follow-up. It was like a big episode of Fear Factor...and there was that eyeball soup...again, yeecchh...
Legally Blonde 2
I’m not a fan of this type of movie, but all the energy and everything special about the first one was completely absent here. Not only was the plot incredibly stupid, also notice how Reese Witherspoon rarely appears in the same frame as any of the other actors which means that she is either a prima donna or they lacked the budget to have all necessary actors on the set at any given time.
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
See comments above.
A Nightmare on Elm Street 2
Wes Craven established all the Freddy rules in the first one only for Jack Sholder to break them all in the sequel. This was the WORST of the series. Another notable sucky Nightmare sequel was the fifth movie (“The Dream Child”)...many of you might argue the suckiness of the other sequels in this franchise, but there was at least one or two cool things in the other movies.
My dishonorable mentions (or movies that sucked but I’d probably still watch again) include:
Airplane II: The Sequel
William Shatner was fucking cool in this movie.
Aliens
Yup, I hated the second Alien movie whereas many people site this one as their favorite in the series (probably just because James Cameron directed it). Having children in these action/thriller/big ass-kicking monster movies is just not believable. I don’t believe for a second that Newt could’ve survived the Alien attacks when everyone else had military weapons and combat experience. That and, to me, the movie is going along at a great pace and then it all stops so Ripley can play mom to this girl which is where the movie drags for me. I know that there are people who can argue that Alien 3 and 4/Resurrection sucked, but I loved David Fincher’s approach to the bleak third chapter and even though 4 was a let-down in so many ways, it had Michael Wincott AND Ron Perlman in it! I’m a big fan of both those guys, so Resurrection was a bit special to me.
The Crow 3 & 4
Eric Mabius and Ed Furlong as The Crow??? At least #4 is kinda fun because you get to see David Boreanaz make an ass out of himself and Dennis Hopper plays some Mexican mafia leader named El Nino.
From Dusk Till Dawn 2 & 3
At least each sequel had Danny Trejo in it…and 2 has Bruce Campbell at the very beginning.
Resident Evil: Apocalypse
Ummm...great poster art?
I had more on the list, but this post is turning out to be kinda long...and I’m sure I’ve forgotten many movies that should hold a place in this Hall of Shame, but I’ll stop here and let you guys take over in the comments section.
"Your mouth says 'No, no,' but my tongue says 'Yes, yes!'"
posted by Scott at 11:34 AM
3 Comments:
"Freedom!"
"Not yet."
Also sucked ass compared to the very good original: Jurassic Park 2-3, Jaws 2-4, Arthur 2, Starship Troopers 2, Caddyshack 2, Blues Brothers 2, Aladdin 2 and City Slickers 2.
Star Trek II is FAR better than the original.
Terminator 2 is better than Terminator 1 (which was still very good).
Superman II is just as good as Superman I.
Rocky 2 was as boring as Rocky 1, neither of which kicked ass like Rocky 3.
Empire Strikes Back is better than Star Wars, and SW: Ep II (and anything, for that matter) is better than SW: Ep I.
Matrix 2, while not as good as Matrix 1, is still good.
LO'tR 2 is not quite as good as LO'tR 1, which was as good as LO'tR 3.
Mummy 2, Mission Impossible 2, Young Guns 2, Toy Story 2 - about as good as 1.
Lethal Weapons: (in order of goodness:) 1, 3, 2, 4.
Home Alone 1 & 2 - not bad. 3? Sucked.
Predator 2 - as good as 1, but different. Same with Sister Act 1&2.
X-Men 2 and Spider-man 2 slightly better than the 1s.
That's all I have to say about that.
Oh yeah - Aliens is a TRULY GREAT MOVIE.
Save yourself some time.
Just write down the list of sequels that don't suck ...
Here's my list:
.
Finished ... There we go!
Post a Comment
<< Home