Spring Break
Reminiscing on successful sequels
Paresh Jha
Issue date: 4/1/09 Section: Commentary
Lately, Hollywood has been trigger happy in producing sequels to blockbuster hits. Sometimes they can be good ("The Dark Knight") or sometimes they can be mind-bogglingly terrible ("Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest"). For now, let's enjoy and reminisce on some (not all) of the greatest sequels ever produced.
"The Godfather: Part II
Director Francis Ford Coppola's second outing to New York City, chronicling through flashbacks the rise of Vito Corleone, is considered to be one of the best, if not the best, sequel of all time. It is the only sequel to have ever won an Academy Award for Best Picture. The film features Al Pacino in one of the greatest performances of his life. He truly evokes the emotions of a lost warrior trying to find his way in a city and family that he cannot control just yet. Robert DeNiro also does a great job in his flashback sequences as Vito and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
"Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"
The sheer scope of this cinematic achievement, which won 11 Academy Awards, is too crazy to ignore. Director/producer Peter Jackson put his whole life into Middle-Earth and the result was a film that was just as engrossing as the novel. All the variables involved - acting, locations, art direction, music, costumes, special effects and so much more - came together in excellent fashion. Say what you will about the length and multiple endings, but when someone creates a world like that you cannot help but linger on.
"Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back"
When was the last time you were genuinely surprised in a film? Aside from "The Sixth Sense," I would definitely say the reveal of Darth Vader as Luke's father was one of the most shocking moments in a film I have ever seen. Just like Luke, we did not want to believe it, but we knew it had to be true. The movie established standards for science fiction/fantasy films, even superhero films, for years to come. This of course was before George Lucas lost his mojo.
"The Godfather: Part II
Director Francis Ford Coppola's second outing to New York City, chronicling through flashbacks the rise of Vito Corleone, is considered to be one of the best, if not the best, sequel of all time. It is the only sequel to have ever won an Academy Award for Best Picture. The film features Al Pacino in one of the greatest performances of his life. He truly evokes the emotions of a lost warrior trying to find his way in a city and family that he cannot control just yet. Robert DeNiro also does a great job in his flashback sequences as Vito and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
"Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"
The sheer scope of this cinematic achievement, which won 11 Academy Awards, is too crazy to ignore. Director/producer Peter Jackson put his whole life into Middle-Earth and the result was a film that was just as engrossing as the novel. All the variables involved - acting, locations, art direction, music, costumes, special effects and so much more - came together in excellent fashion. Say what you will about the length and multiple endings, but when someone creates a world like that you cannot help but linger on.
"Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back"
When was the last time you were genuinely surprised in a film? Aside from "The Sixth Sense," I would definitely say the reveal of Darth Vader as Luke's father was one of the most shocking moments in a film I have ever seen. Just like Luke, we did not want to believe it, but we knew it had to be true. The movie established standards for science fiction/fantasy films, even superhero films, for years to come. This of course was before George Lucas lost his mojo.
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