Gizmodo Movie Night: Sequels That Don’t Suck

T2 Trainspotting came out in Australia this week, and I’m apprehensive.

There’s always some fear surrounding sequels — they’re often seen as inferior money making grabs. Although many follow ups tend to disappoint in one way or another, they’re not all bad. In fact, some surpass the first. Here are some of the best that you can watch right now.

And before anyone comes at me with Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the original Star Wars sequels and Aliens, I feel you. They aren’t streaming here right now and it’s the worst.

Stan

Back to the Future Part II

A solid sequel that always makes me yell ‘take a sports almanac’ at time travel movie I watch. I love that we now live in a world where lace up Nikes and hoverboards are kind of a thing. Biff Tannen’s Pleasure Paradise is a little too real though.

Netflix: Marty and Doc are at it again in this sequel to the 1985 blockbuster as the time-traveling duo head to 2015 to nip some McFly family woes in the bud.

Watch it now on Netflix.

Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey

Time travel, Evil robots, a 90s style battle of the bands and Death being a mad board gamer? This is the perfect movie.

Stan: Bill and Ted are killed by their evil twins and find themselves transported to the fiery depths below. They gamble with the Grim Reaper and end up traveling through heaven to find a great scientist to help them blow their evil twins to smithereens.

Watch it now on Stan.

Terminator 2: Judgement Day

For some reason they played this on TV way more than the original when I was a kid. Maybe that’s why I actually enjoy it way more than the original? My surname was also Connor at the time so that must have played into it on some psychological level. Either way, kick arse movie.

Stan: The first model of the “Terminator” series failed in 1984. The second model made of changeable liquid is more advanced and embarks on a pursuit of the child and his mother, Sarah, in the 1990’s.

Watch it now on Stan.

Shrek 2

The original is still my favourite, but you gotta respect the title that brought Puss in Boots into existence. They clearly took the franchise way too far in the end, but let’s not speak of that.

Stan: SHREK 2, the #1 comedy of all time hailed by critics as even better than its Oscar®- winning predecessor! USA Today proclaims “there are so many jokes and jests, not even a jelly-bellied ogre could consumer them all in one sitting.”

Watch it now on Stan.

The Godfather Part II

Even if you aren’t fascinated by mobsters, you should do yourself a favour and watch the Godfather Part I and Part II. They’re considered to be two of the best films of all time for a reason. The direction, cinematography, soundtrack and performances are pure poetry.

Stan: The continuing saga of a young Vito Corleone growing up in Sicily and in New York during the 1910s and then following Michael Corleone in the 1950s as he tries to expand the family business.

Watch it now on Stan.

Mad Max: Fury Road

The flaming guitar guy alone makes this worth it. Fortunately the whole thing is god damn rad. And don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten The Road Warrior. It’s a sensation sequel that sadly isn’t streaming at the moment.

Stan: Haunted by his turbulent past, Mad Max believes the best way to survive is to wander alone. Nevertheless, he becomes swept up with a group fleeing across the Wasteland in a War Rig driven by an elite Imperator, Furiosa

Watch it now on Stan.

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Netflix

Toy Story 2

It’s Toy Story 2. What more explanation do you need? And in case you wanted to cry some more, here’s the third installment.

Netflix: When Andy goes off to cowboy camp, an obsessive collector kidnaps Woody, and it’s up to Buzz Lightyear and the gang to save their pal.

Watch it now on Netflix.

Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp

Okay so this is a prequel. And a TV Show. But it still counts because I make the rules here.

If you haven’t seen the cult classic that is Wet Hot American Summer, do it. It’s one of my favourite movies of all time and has an insane comedic cast.

What makes the followup sequel so brilliant is how self aware and weird it is. The actors were already too old to be playing these characters in the first place, and have now come back ten years later to play even younger versions of themselves. It’s brilliant, hilarious and an absolute treat for fans.

Netflix: It’s the first morning at Camp Firewood, and the horny counselors are already making their moves, while something sinister is going on in the woods.

Watch it now on Netflix.

The Dark Knight

I will always hold a special place in my heart for the Tim Burton Batman films of my childhood. But god damn I’m so happy the world has been exposed to a darker Batman on film thanks to Christopher Nolan. The Dark Knight was a spectacular followup to Batman Begins and also gifted us with one of Heath Ledger’s finest performances.

Netflix: As Batman, Lt. Gordon and the district attorney continue to dismantle Gotham’s criminal underground, a new villain threatens to undo their good work.

Watch it now on Netflix.

Lethal Weapon 2

Every god damn movie in this series is a work of art and I won’t hear a bad word against it.

Netflix: Detectives Riggs and Murtaugh trace a trunk full of gold coins to a South African diplomat who’s using his immunity to conceal a smuggling operation.

Watch it now on Netflix.


Disclosure: Stan is a 50/50 joint venture between Nine Entertainment and Fairfax Media. Allure Media, the company which publishes Gizmodo Australia, is also owned by Fairfax.


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