I’m a film critic and these are the best five sequels | Films | Entertainment

In an era dominated by remakes, reboots, sequels and prequels, keeping track of the numerous film franchises can be a daunting task.

Marvel and Star Wars aficionados can attest to the challenge of staying current with every new release, given the sheer volume of films and TV series under these banners.

However, over the years, some sequels have been crafted so masterfully that they require little to no knowledge of their predecessors.

Many are often viewed as standalone films in their own right and spark audiences to consider if the original was even needed.

Here are five such sequels that you can enjoy without having seen the original, and which may even surpass their forerunners in quality

Terminator 2: Judgement Day

Given that the crux of the first Terminator film revolves around altering history to reshape the future, there’s no need to be familiar with its plot to appreciate the sequel. A brief voiceover at the start provides all the necessary context about the ongoing war against machines , reports the Irish Star.

James Cameron’s sequel cleverly tweaks the premise, informing viewers that two Terminators were dispatched back in time. The first pertains to the events of the original film, while the second relates to the sequel’s timeline.

Just overlook the fact that they’re entirely different Terminator models.

Arnold Schwarzenegger becomes the ultimate saviour, while Robert Patrick delivers a chilling performance as a relentless killer robot in ‘Terminator 2’. The sequel is often hailed by aficionados as superior to its predecessor.

A fan shared on Reddit: « T2 just blew The Terminator out of the water. I was lucky enough to see T2 on opening night and I left the theater shaking from the experience. There was nothing that came close to that visceral feeling – that next level ‘what the hell am I experiencing? !’ journey. »

Terminator 2: Judgement Day is streaming on StudioCanal Presents.

Blade II

Much like Terminator 2, Blade’s sequel employs an early voiceover from its protagonist to recap the previous film’s events succinctly. It gives viewers the lowdown they need.

Wesley Snipes returns as Blade, the half-human, half-vampire who preys on bloodsuckers without suffering their weaknesses. And surprise—his mentor Whistler, presumed dead in the original, turns out to have been captured and vampirised.

We find Blade on a relentless quest to save him, with assistance from none other than a pre-Walking Dead Norman Reedus.

The directorial reins for this instalment were handed to Guillermo del Toro, whose knack for crafting exquisite fight scenes and monstrous creations shines through.

Aside from a particular scene where the CGI falls short, Blade II surpasses its predecessor and stands strong as an independent film. There’s no need to progress to the third instalment, which features Ryan Reynolds practising his Deadpool persona before donning the iconic suit.

This might leave you questioning why Marvel is taking its time with their updated MCU rendition of the character.

Blade II is streaming on Netflix.

Mad Max: Fury Road

Fury Road is actually the fourth instalment in the Mad Max series. The production hurdles that director George Miller encountered turned out to be a silver lining.

Not only had sufficient time elapsed for him to recast the lead role with then up-and-coming star Tom Hardy, but advancements in filmmaking technology enabled him to create one of the greatest action films ever made, let alone the most remarkable Mad Max film to date.

In fact, Miller demonstrated that his post-apocalyptic universe was even larger than Max himself. The introduction of a new character, Furiosa, was so well-received that she earned her own prequel, while another Mad Max film remains in the works.

Mad Max: Fury Road is streaming on Sky Cinema and NOW.

Blade Runner 2049

The original Blade Runner didn’t receive universal acclaim upon release. However, it would later become a cult classic and a topic of much discussion.

Fans often engage in heated debates over minor plot details and the authenticity of various versions, including the Director’s Cut, when it comes to establishing the narrative canon. However, Blade Runner 2049 can be enjoyed without delving into these complexities, as it maintains key characters and story arcs from the original without confusing newcomers.

One enthusiast articulates: « Blade Runner 2049 is a fantastic follow up to the first and fixes a lot of the issues people had with the 1982 film. Without any director or extended cut. It’s everything a sequel should do. Hell, you can watch this without watching the first and wouldn’t get lost. Something Force Awakens, Jurassic World should take notes on. This is the type of film that will inspire young film makers out there to pick up a camera and make art. It’s that great. »

Blade Runner 2049 is streaming on Netflix.

The Dark Knight

In a Reddit thread discussing sequels that surpass their predecessors, The Dark Knight emerges as the clear favourite. It not only outperformed the original both critically and commercially, boasting a Rotten Tomatoes score 15 points higher at 94% and raking in more than double at the box office with over $1 billion.

With Batman’s origin story already established, the sequel delivers non-stop action, bolstered by Heath Ledger’s unforgettable Oscar-winning performance and Nolan’s masterful world-building.

As one admirer puts it: « The Dark Knight is Christopher Nolan’s magnum opus and a gripping, unforgettable thrill ride from start to finish.

« Heath Ledgers infamous take on the Joker is undoubtedly one of the most captivating, disturbing, and iconic villain performances in film history. The action and stunt-work in this film are utterly spectacular. The storytelling is some of the best in the history of comic book filmmaking.

« Overall the Dark Knight is without a doubt one of the greatest films of the last century and an essential film experience, even for those who are not fans of the superhero genre. It is legendary for a reason. »

The Dark Knight is available to rent on digital storefronts