Sequels more often than not get a bad rap; they’re seen as a cash grab or cheap knockoffs rather than a creative expansion of the original. In some rare cases, however, sequels can rise above their original counterparts. While this is rare, they still deserve to be given their flowers.
Bad sequels are, unfortunately, a common occurrence when it comes to media. A great example of a bad sequel is “The Hangover II.” This film does what a lot of sequels do: lack creativity. In “The Hangover II,” the film recycles the same story they used in the original. Good sequels also add new things to the story gradually, while respecting the original. What makes a sequel succeed is its ability to enhance a story even further.
A perfect example of the sequel being better than the original is the film “Shrek 2.”. The original “Shrek” had a very limited world as it just followed the story of an ogre named Shrek and Donkey and their pursuit to save a princess. However, “Shrek 2” allowed for the growth of the world by introducing Far Far Away while also adding nuance to Princess Fiona.
The introduction of new characters such as Puss in Boots and Fairy Godmother was another great addition. Puss in Boots was a funny addition who really resonated with audiences, especially in his scenes with Donkey, which added great action to the film. Fairy Godmother was an elevated villain as she was the opposite of a loving grandmother and introduced more stakes than ever before. This allowed the character to be special because she’s evil and greedy, unlike a traditional grandmother, who is caring.
What truly takes the film over the top is the soundtrack. The grand finale being set to Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out for a Hero,” made the ending elevate to grander heights.
Now entering the world of video games, Super Mario Galaxy 2 took the already evolutionary base of the original and made a masterpiece of something that already was.
Super Mario Galaxy Two’s level design felt nostalgic as it used throwback features from the series’ history. The thing that was crucial for me was the addition of Yoshi. The original game noticeably lacked the character of Yoshi, and being able to use his jump attacks made gameplay feel more fluid than it already was.
I personally like Starship Mario as the map was smaller and easier to navigate. Starship Mario is where the game’s home base is. It allows you to check your progress, and you can collect power stars. The simplicity of Starship Mario is what makes the game’s home base iconic. Even after finishing the levels, the post-game green stars are a feature that makes the game more interesting and makes you want to dive back into the levels you’ve already played.
Grandmaster Galaxy is one of the most fun yet difficult challenges that I have tried to complete. The finale does a great job of summarizing the adventure you went on in the game. If that wasn’t enough, the finale tests your skills by having you combine different moves to complete objectives.
Sequels aren’t even bound to creative media, as a sports sequel that has become legendary is Michael Jordan’s second three–peat. Jordan came back to basketball in 1995 after a failed baseball career, and with the pressure mounting on him, the world wondered if he still had it in him to pull out the win.
In 1996, he led the Bulls to the best regular– season record ever seen at that point, and the infamous photo of him and the trophy was born. The 1997 Finals gave the world “The Flu Game,” where Jordan had experienced flu-like symptoms all night. The day of the game, he decided to play, but the world believed that he would struggle. Jordan proved them wrong quickly as he had an amazing performance, cementing their NBA Finals trophy in 1997. In 1998, Jordan hit “The Last Shot” after scoring a game– winning shot in cinematic fashion that could not have been written more perfectly. His second run wasn’t about the championships; it was about cementing his legacy.
Finally, the best sequel of them all was ”The Godfather Part II“. The dual-narrative structure of having Michael’s struggle with helming the family after the first film’s plot and the story of Vito’s rise to infamy puts a spotlight on the Corleone family’s origin story. In Part 2, the film does an astounding job of showing Michael’s descent into madness contrasted with young Vito’s amassing success.
Michael’s paranoia destroyed his marriage and his relationship with his brother, Fredo. The final scene of the film hits the hardest after it shows everything that Michael lost. The greater meaning of the film is perfect, as Vito’s commitment to protecting his family is broken when Michael kills his brother, which destroys the family’s integrity from the inside.
Ultimately, the best sequels aren’t even remotely close to cash grabs; they exist to expand a story that’s already been told. Whether it’s the expansive world-building in “Shrek 2,” the level building of “Super Mario Galaxy 2,” Jordan’s magical second three–peat, or the storytelling in “The Godfather Part II,” the best sequels create a platform for themselves. The rare successes of sequels set the standard for how a piece of media can become superior to its originator while also adding to the original.
