Sequel Superiority

In a world where follow-ups often fail to meet expectations, there are instances where the original's brilliance can be recaptured or the franchise can be elevated to unforeseen heights

Crafting a good sequel is no easy feat. Filmmakers are tasked with simultaneously offering something fresh while staying true to the roots of the story and delivering more of what audiences enjoyed in the first place. The majority of history's greatest sequels, like "Aliens", "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Terminator 2: Judgment Day", mastered this delicate balance. Many would even say they executed their formula better than the originals. Here's a list of some of my favorite sequels I believe upstaged their predecessors.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

There's a reason this still sits at or near the top of many lists of the best MCU movies. While "Captain America: The First Avenger" was certainly a solid origin story, it didn't exactly set the world on fire. With its old school action and Golden Age comic book setting, Joe Johnston was an inspired choice to direct. However, when it came to bringing Cap into the 21st century for his next solo adventure, fresh perspective was needed. Who knew the perfect choice would be the Russo Brothers, best known at the time for "You, Me and Dupree" and "Community". The film's crisp direction, exhilarating setpieces, espionage influences and rapid-fire storytelling make it stand head and shoulders above "The First Avenger". Not only that, it introduced the cinematic version of Cap's Stealth Suit, which would inspire his signature look for every subsequent Marvel movie and helped establish the Russos as two of Hollywood's biggest power players behind the camera.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

I don't believe it's too far-fetched to say 2011's "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" was a pleasant surprise. Its box office and critical success were no guarantees in light of the tepid reception to Tim Burton's reboot nine years earlier and the fact that it's based on a sci-fi property that's always been more underground than some of its notable contemporaries. "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" raised the bar even higher; further pushing its breathtaking visual effects, delivering bigger action sequences and heightening the emotional stakes. Starring Andy Serkis, Gary Oldman, Jason Clark and Keri Russell, as well as being set to an absolutely fantastic score by Michael Giacchino, "Dawn" is everything a great sequel should be. In fact, the latest "Apes" trilogy was perhaps the most underrated film franchise of the last decade, but that's a conversation for another time.

The Purge: Anarchy

Once a seemingly far-fetched idea in some twisted dystopian fantasy, current events increasingly suggest "The Purge" might be closer to reality than we ever would have imagined. We've even adopted the "stay safe" mantra its citizens often impart to one another before locking down for survival. Creepy, right? Be that as it may, the first film disappointingly squandered a good deal of its potential. The morbidly enticing idea of Purge Night was relegated to an entertaining, but noticeably low-budget home invasion flick. Freed from the confines of one central location, the first sequel takes audiences out amongst the...well, anarchy of Purge Night for a glorious evening of carnage. This action-horror vehicle outdoes the original in every way, delivering the high-octane thrills audiences would become accustomed to with its later films. Honesty, pretty much every "Purge" sequel is better than the original, but "Anarchy" got there first and did it the best.

The Raid 2: Berandal

You'd be hard-pressed to find a better wall-to-wall action movie than "The Raid". Its fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled fights cemented it as an instant classic, but it wasn't without its detractors. One of the biggest criticisms levied against it was being less of a film and more of a stunt showcase (which it most certainly is). So, how do you up the ante? By beefing up the bone-crushing action and wrapping an actual story with character development around it. The slower pacing and lengthier runtime (150 minutes compared to the first's 101 minutes) let the film breathe better than its predecessor and its increased budget allow for action sequences that are exponentially more expansive. While the original's simplistic charm still makes me favor it a little bit more, I have no qualms with crowning this crime epic as the superior outing.

Toy Story 3

Until the fourth film was released, there was a valid case for "Toy Story" as one of the strongest trilogies ever made. In a rare example where each film surpassed the previous installment, "Toy Story 3" was the apex. A perfect storm of comedic charm, stellar voice acting and overwhelming nostalgia (most of those who grew up with the first two films were now adults), the film positioned itself as a possible final chapter for our gang of beloved characters and it is quite the emotional rollercoaster. If you don't think watching animated toys can bring you to tears, you're sadly mistaken. "Toy Story 4" is very good as well, by the way. So, perhaps the series can settle for being the greatest quadrilogy ever made.

Undisputed III: Redemption

A while back, I reflected on how the "Undisputed" series transformed itself into an underrated action powerhouse and while that path to underground greatness started with "Undisputed II: Last Man Standing", "Redemption" is where it all clicked. Its no-frills storyline and dynamic martial arts sequences make it just as formidable as any big budget action title and it does so at a fraction of the cost. Some of the fight choreography is truly a sight to behold, proving vision and ingenuity can still overcome budgetary constraints in modern day filmmaking. It's almost a shame more people aren't aware of the series, but I suppose maintaining its under-the-radar cult status is part of what makes it unique. Similar to the evolution of the "Purge" movies, every sequel is better than its first film, but "Redemption" is just a cut above the rest.