Connect with us

Entertainment

The World’s Best Comedy Sequels, and Some that Should be Erased from Existence

Published

on

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]D[/dropcap]eadpool 2 was released this week, and the staff at CULTURE can’t help but share our excitement for the return of one of the most hilarious superheroes. The film released today, but it is certainly not the only comedy sequel to bring back some of our favorite fictional characters. Especially with the excellent news of a third Bill & Ted movie in the works, we decided to rank the 10 best, and five worst comedy sequels of all time.

 

THE BEST

22 Jump Street

No one expected 21 Jump Street to be any good, but directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller proved us all wrong by creating a comedy classic. With the sequel, the duo played on themes commonly associated with sequels; like just doing the same thing they did in the original. Going so far as to make it a running joke throughout the film that they should simply do the same thing again, and everything will work out. The chemistry between Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill is on full display, and CULTURE cover feature Ice Cube steals the show as a protective father and expletive-laden boss.

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

Comedy is hard to pull off, especially when you are lampooning James Bond, one of fiction’s most beloved characters, but actor Mike Meyers pulls it off with ease. Not with the titular Austin Powers, but with his arch nemesis Dr. Evil, which is also played by Meyers. Dr. Evil alone makes this film a must watch, but add in his 1/6 scaled clone, played by the recently deceased Verne Troyer, and you have yourself a real dynamic duo.

Addams Family Values

No one can argue that this is not a weird film. It can also not be argued that this film turns into the skid when it comes to over-the-top wackiness. The end-of-year camp play is worth the price of admission alone. The film threads the needle of being a great homage to the original source material, yet feels new in a non-exploitative way, unlike similar movies . . . I’m looking at you Brady Bunch Movie.

American Pie 2

I don’t want to sound like I’m betraying my generation, but I thought the first American Pie was fine. Nothing special, just fine. I find the sequel to be the far superior film, and a high mark in the franchise. The characters seem like living, breathing people, and not simply very attractive props carted around for the occasional joke. Sure, there is plenty to laugh at here, but the love story between Jason Biggs’ Jim and Alyson Hannigan’s Michelle is both sweet and incredibly awkward.

Gremlins 2

If the first movie made everyone fall in love with the cute mogwais, the sequel showed us the destructive capabilities of these delightful creatures if left in the wrong hands. The film is so outlandish that it features Hulk Hogan, a spider-gremlin and a large musical number featuring a cast of hundreds of deranged gremlins. Also, let’s not forget it ruined Presidents Day for everyone. Thanks Phoebe Cates, at least we’ll always have Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Rush Hour 2

The original Rush Hour is one of the most copied modern films in recent memory. Sure, there were mismatched buddy films dating back 60 years, but the back and forth of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker is often imitated, but never duplicated. It was a great upgrade for fans of the Lethal Weapon franchise, who were looking for more comedy in their action films. Unfortunately, when you get to the second half of this list, you will see that sometimes there is such thing as too much.

Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey

Bill S. Preston Esq. and Ted Theodore Logan come together to form Wyld Stallions in a way not seen since the original Voltron. The film does a good job of bucking the trend of partnering a smart guy with a dumb guy, and instead gives us a pair of like-minded lovable idiots. Idiots who just might save the universe with their killer song. Add into that evil robot Bill and Ted, good robot Bill and Ted, the Grim Reaper, and of course the alien duo Station. SAN DIMAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RULES!

Back to the Future 2

It will make you feel old to hear that we are further from 1985, when the original film took place, than 1985 is to 1955, where Marty McFly traveled back to in the same film. Where does the time go? Luckily in this sequel we are treated to what the distant future will be . . . err was. Since the future in question has come and gone, without hoverboards, self-drying clothing or Jaws 19. The film is, of course, a masterpiece, taking us to three separate time periods, an alternate universe and back to the “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance.

Deadpool 2

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That should have been the tagline for Deadpool 2. Yes, they added Cable and X-Force to the party, but the film doesn’t really try to improve on what made the original so great. Still, Deadpool is funny as ever, and the action has been significantly improved thanks to new director David Leitch, who’s earlier film, John Wick, redefined the action genre.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Let’s call it The Godfather 2 of comedy. The rare instance where the sequel, or in this case threequel, is better than the original. That is high praise since the original is one of the greatest comedies of all time. Playing on just about every holiday horror story imaginable, Christmas Vacation manages to tell a meld the humor with the heart and delivers a holiday tale that really boils down the meaning of Christmas.

 

THE WORST

They can’t all be winners. Here is a breakdown of five real stinkers, made all the more depressing because they were spawned from some of the best comedies of all time.

Rush Hour 3

Remember all the good stuff I said about part 2 above? Well, they found a way to undo all the good will they earned with the audience. An overly contrived plot, new characters and an overall feel of “phoning it in” makes this film a disappointing entry into an amazing franchise. Sadly, with director Brett Ratner’s recent troubles, I doubt the franchise will get the do-over it so desperately needs.

Be Cool

Get Shorty is one of my favorite films of all time. So, when they announced they would be making a sequel and adding Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as a gay cowboy, my excitement hit eleven. Then the movie came out, and I was left hollow and sad. I distinctly remember sitting in the shower cross legged listening to my Morrisey records. It was a dark time. Skip this one, and watch Get Shorty twice.

Son of the Mask

Mother of God, WHY?! The original Mask is great and showcases the endless energy and talent of a young Jim Carrey. The sequel contains none of the charm and frenetic energy that made the original beloved, and Jamie Kennedy is no Jim Carrey. Although, nowadays that might be a compliment.

Zoolander 2

What happens when you wait fifteen years to release the sequel to your cult comedy hit, yet don’t change the characters to match the time jump? You get Zoolander 2, and that’s a bad thing. Super Troopers 2 had the same time off, but managed to at least try to do something new and be relevant. It seems like Ben Stiller and company just wanted to coast by on being really, really good looking and not bothering to really understand why we love Derek Zoolander so much. Zoolander 2 can Dari-lick my balls.

Caddyshack II

And here we are. I don’t even know if I possess the proper grammar to explain why this movie is a let down on all fronts. The original featured a stellar cast, none of which return. I know what you’re going to say, “Chevy Chase came back.” Did he? That is clearly a chimp in a Chevy Chase suit, because he lacks any semblance of Chase’s energy and timing. I can ramble on forever, but just trust me, Caddyshack II is a poopy diaper, set on fire, thrown into a garbage fire and dumped a landfill full of rotten vegetables and old gym socks. In other words, it stinks.

 

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *