Sequel Season

Every year I fall victim to the summer onslaught of blockbusters. I just can't help it. And like most summers, many of the Top (high grossing) movies this summer are or will be sequels. I've already got caught up in it- Already MI:3 and X-men 3 have lured me to the theater, even though I had low expectations for both (MI:3 proved itself worthy, though, while X-Men 3 may be one of the biggest let downs ever). The ride has not stopped, however, with Pirates: Dead Man's Chest and Superman Returns (Sequel, not reboot) coming out soon, and several more big sequels in the works.

After seeing X-Men 3 I realized that with a few rare exceptions, most sequels are unworthy of the first movie. Listed below are some of those exceptions (Please know that these are only a smattering of the best- feel free to let me know if there is one I forgot or did not include).

10. Rescuers Down Under- the first Disney animated sequel ever (and one of the few to make it to theaters), with awesome voice talent, a great story and ground breaking animation, this Rescuers put the first movie to shame.

9. Shrek 2- perhaps the best animated sequel ever, this movie brought all the fun of the first movie along with enough pop references to keep anyone amused.

8. Kill Bill Vol. 2- while not a sequel per se, Kill Bill 2 is where most of the heart and character development is found.

7. Back to The future III- This movie broke the mould and in the process created a solid trilogy out of what was before only a couple of fun movies.

6. X2: X-men United- this could be here just out of pure bias, but X2 really stepped up and pushed the story to a whole new level.

5. Terminator 2- Straight up, this movie PROVED that sequels could rock hard if not harder than the original movie, not to mention having a nick name (T2) that inspired countless imitators.

4. Aliens- While the first movie was scary; this movie is so good many consider it the only movie of the series to get the idea right. I agree.

3. Superman II- A flawless sequel, this movie completes the first movie and helps you know not only that a man could fly, but WHY.

2. Star Trek II: the Wrath of Khan- this movie is amazing... brilliant story, great acting, and a villain pulled straight out of Star Trek lore. Not too much more to say, other than "KHHHAAAAANNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

1. Star Wars: The Empires Strikes Back- This movie is the best for two reasons- George didn't direct, and Yoda is the man.