10 Films That Hit More durable When You’ve Already Seen The Sequel

Some nice film sequels have the potential to make the unique film look even higher looking back, honoring their legacy whereas including extra layers of intrigue. The very best film sequels can surpass the films that preceded them, however they’ll additionally elevate the whole franchise without delay.

Sequels can present the occasions of a narrative by way of a special lens, maybe by focusing extra on the views of supporting characters or by exhibiting the knock-on results of main plot factors. That is typically the job of prequels, however sequels may add extra depth to the characters and improve a narrative looking back.

10

The Godfather (1972)

Half II Places Michael’s Story Into Context

The Godfather

9/10

Launch Date

March 24, 1972

Runtime

175 minutes

The Godfather Half II is usually hailed as the most effective motion pictures ever made, not to mention the most effective sequels. Robert De Niro’s position as a younger Vito Corleone helps put Michael’s rise to energy into context, highlighting the variations between the 2 Dons of the Corleone household and the worlds they stay in.

The Godfather Half III is not as fashionable, however it nonetheless enhances the unique film looking back. Seeing Michael dying alone in a sunlit backyard is a stunning distinction to Vito’s loss of life a long time earlier, who died at house whereas taking part in together with his grandson. Half III reveals the last word tragedy of Michael’s story, which begins with the primary film.

9

Again To The Future (1985)

The First Sequel Reveals One other Aspect To Marty’s Journey

Again to the Future

10/10

Launch Date

July 3, 1985

Runtime

116 minutes

Director

Robert Zemeckis

Writers

Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale

Producers

Bob Gale, Frank Marshall, Kathleen Kennedy, Neil Canton

The primary half of Again to the Future Half II sends Marty McFly to the longer term, which supplies a enjoyable distinction to the unique film’s historic setting, however the sequel finds one other gear when Marty and Doc journey again to 1955 as soon as once more, the place their paths get tangled with their first journey.

Again to the Future Half II seems on the occasions of the primary film from one other angle, exhibiting how future variations of Marty and Doc have been secretly influencing every little thing from simply out of body. It is a pleasure to return and watch Again to the Future with this information, and seeing Robert Zemeckis’ clever narrative trickery with recent eyes.

8

Star Wars (1977)

The Star Wars Franchise Has At all times Owed A Nice Debt To The First Film

It may be arduous to separate the unique Star Wars film from the behemoth multimedia franchise that it spawned, however wanting again on the first film highlights simply how a lot the sequels have achieved to deepen the impression of Luke Skywalker’s first journey. After all, the Darth Vader twist in The Empire Strikes Again is an apparent instance, however this is only one of many.

A number of Star Wars motion pictures and TV reveals straight reinforce the unique film. Rogue One and Andor give extra weight to the sacrifices of the riot, the unique trilogy supplies extra backstory to Ben Kenobi’s character, and the later sequels present that Luke’s journey was by no means so simple. The slate of upcoming Star Wars motion pictures will proceed this development.

7

Blade Runner (1982)

Blade Runner

9/10

Launch Date

June 25, 1982

Runtime

117 minutes

Writers

Hampton Fancher, David Webb Peoples, Philip Okay. Dick, Roland Kibbee

With out straight answering the lingering thriller of Deckard’s origins, Blade Runner 2049 enhances his story from the primary film. Denis Villeneuve’s sequel managed to broaden the scope of Blade Runner whereas staying true to the unique, mixing Okay’s story with the thriller of Deckard’s destiny completely.

In addition to fleshing out the world and including extra nuance to the story, Blade Runner 2049 places an clever twist on the themes of the unique. The sequel seems on the query of what it means to be human from new angles, and it is value revisiting Deckard and Roy Batty’s wrestle for energy with this extra context.

6

Scream (1996)

Scream’s Meta Comedy Turns into Clearer As The Franchise Progresses

Whereas Scream is a superb slasher and a satisfying homicide thriller, it is best to strategy it whereas understanding the ways in which it is making an attempt to subvert the style. Scream 2 and Scream 3 spell issues out extra clearly, which may give audiences a clearer appreciation of what the unique film is making an attempt to do.

Scream shook up the horror style, with many subsequent motion pictures making an attempt to comply with the identical blueprint. The Scream franchise has all the time been on the forefront of its personal motion, nonetheless, including new layers to its self-referential meta humor and always preserving audiences in suspense.

5

High Gun (1986)

High Gun: Maverick Provides Extra Pathos To Its Hero

High Gun: Maverick is not typically held up because the shining instance of a sequel that surpasses the unique, and the best strategy to execute a legacy sequel. Nonetheless, it is also an awesome demonstration of the way to improve an authentic film, since High Gun was by no means precisely a important darling in 1986.

Maverick supplies a extra grounded emotional arc for its hero, revealing that Tom Cruise’s character has failed to really change within the intervening a long time, for higher or worse. This makes High Gun‘s knuckle-headed enjoyable and youthful bravado look a little bit extra complicated looking back, as a result of it reveals the lasting results of this period.

4

Earlier than Dawn (1995)

Richard Linklater’s Trilogy Is Finest Loved In Its Entirety

Earlier than Dawn is admirable in its simplicity, counting on the energy of its dialogue and its performances to inform an genuine, fascinating love story. Nonetheless, Richard Linklater’s trilogy aspires to greater than this, and the three motion pictures collectively paint a extra complicated portrait of a relationship.

Throughout the context of the Earlier than trilogy, the primary film is the symbol of reckless, youthful love, because the characters are swept away by their emotions with out having to think about obligations and sacrifices in an excessive amount of element. Seeing the characters like this, whereas figuring out what’s in retailer for them within the years to return, is a robust reminder of what real love entails.

3

Toy Story (1995)

Andy’s Story Lends One other That means To Woody And The Toys

Toy Story

10/10

Launch Date

October 30, 1995

Runtime

81 minutes

Director

John Lasseter

Producers

Bonnie Arnold, Edwin Catmull, Ralph Guggenheim

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  Tim Allen

  Buzz Lightyear (voice)

The primary Toy Story film revolves across the wrestle between Woody and new arrival Buzz, who poses a menace to his standing as Andy’s favourite toy and the de facto chief of the gang. With the added context of Toy Story 2 and 3, this battle appears far more relatable and mature.

It is easy to empathize with Andy’s arc in Toy Story 3, as he has to develop up and go away his carefree childhood behind. From Woody’s perspective, he has to half methods with the kid he has cared about for therefore lengthy. In a method, Woody’s ache is like that of a dad or mum, realizing that his baby not wants him in the identical method. Watching Toy Story by way of this lens reveals the early indicators of this transition.

2

Daybreak Of The Planet Of The Apes (2014)

Caesar And Koba’s Battle Units Up The Subsequent Sequel Completely

The Planet of the Apes franchise appeared to be useless for years, however the prequel collection has offered a recent tackle the premise, with every sequel constructing the story of how apes ultimately rise to develop into the dominant species on Earth. Daybreak of the Planet of the Apes focuses on a key turning level inside the apes’ society, as an influence wrestle represents an ideological battle.

Caesar and Koba’s battle to steer the apes stems from their dispute over how apes ought to work together with people. The occasions of Warfare for the Planet of the Apes present people abusing apes on an industrial scale, maybe proving that Koba was proper. Nonetheless, Caesar’s capability to vary is a part of what makes him the superior chief.

1

The Shining (1980)

Physician Sleep Reveals The Generational Wounds That Stem From The Occasions Of The Unique Film

The Shining

8/10

Launch Date

June 13, 1980

Runtime

146 minutes

The Shining is among the greatest Stephen King motion pictures, despite the fact that the writer’s distaste for Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation is widespread data. It appeared like the proper horror film for many years, with out the necessity for a sequel of any form, however Mike Flanagan’s adaptation of King’s follow-up novel greater than justified its personal existence.

Physician Sleep reveals the darkness awaiting Danny’s future, and the way in which that the occasions on the Overlook Resort haunted his whole existence. Trying again on the unique provides much more urgency and tragedy to the story from Danny’s perspective, despite the fact that the main target is all the time on Jack.