This one’s really pretty self-explanatory so I’ll just say this… most people think sequels suck. And the general consensus, besides never start a sentence with “and,” is that you definitely STOP AT A TRILOGY! Below, I offer proof that sometimes it’s okay to keep pumping out films. Enjoy:
EXCLUSIONS: STAR WARS: EPISODE 1 – THE PHANTOM MENACE.
I’m excluding this film for two reasons. (1) I’d probably put it at #1 for nostalgic reasons but it’s actually not a really good movie. So, to remain objective, I should just exclude it (same goes for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull). (2) To justify it, let’s just say that even though it’s #4 in the series it’s actually #1 in the continuity of the series. I’ll buy into that one if you will.
5. POLICE ACADEMY 4: CITIZENS ON PATROL.
Citizens on Patrol. C.O.P. Get it? I love the Police Academy franchise and, oddly, I have watched this one more than any of the other films. It’s stupid humor but I have a soft spot for it. Don’t get me wrong, the first sequel is probably the best in the franchise but this is probably my favorite behind it. Plus, it features HUGE stars… like Sharon Stone and Tony Hawk… yeah, that Tony Hawk!
4. FAST & FURIOUS.
Admittedly, this is much more of a true sequel but c’est la vie. I must say that this film, along with the one that followed it, restored my trust in carrying non-traditional franchises (like Batman, Pirates, etc.) beyond trilogies. The fact that that was pulled off by a Vin Diesel drag racing movie was no small feat. Turns out these films are just fun and with a good idea, the right talent and a decent script, you can milk a franchise of everything it has without offending audiences.
3. HARRY POTTER & THE GOBLET OF FIRE.
Here’s the thing about Harry Potter movies… they don’t really make bad ones. This one tends to get forgotten because it follows arguably the best film in the franchise and just before the films turned much darker in tone. However, it is a great watch that allows you to delve deeper into the Harry Potter world and the games are just fun. In fairness to it’s placement at #3 on the list, I will say that it is probably the best made film on this list if not one of the best fourquels ever written.
2. LETHAL WEAPON 4.
I LOVE this movie. It was my first real exposure to Jet Li who was an excellent addition (as a villain) to the cast. Now, the addition of Chris Rock for comic relief wasn’t quite as welcomed. It was quite annoying especially compounded with the equally annoying, though forgivable, return of Joe Pesci’s Leo Getz. Still, this is easily the best film in the franchise behind the original and contains an ending very similar to The Phantom Menace where Murtaugh and Riggs take on a very pissed off Jet Li. Good stuff!
1. ROCKY IV.
Rocky IV is not a good movie but you cannot have grown up in the 80s and NOT love this film. Sylvester Stallone’s blatant attempt to end the cold war with a boxing movie is just the same old story in a different dress. The problem is, we love that same old story so much that we can’t help but cheer for Rocky as he goes through the motions one more time. If you disagree, I must break you!
Also, be sure to check out the Classic Column take on Rocky IV (and the whole series) – it goes deeper than any Rocky analysis has a right to!
Remember, we here at Man, I Love Films don’t do definitive lists. We do our favorites and we want to hear yours. So, make sure and tell us about them in the comments section below.
Wayne (7)
Andrew (5)
Josh (5)
John (4)
Justin (4)
Steve (4)
Lauren (3)
Nick (3)
Andy (2)
Dave Enkosky (2)
Twitter: Top10Films
December 12, 2011 4:13 am
Ah, Rocky IV, what an epic final battle and the best music montage/training sequences!
Twitter: kaiderman
December 12, 2011 8:16 pm
Right? Best ever!
No no no! “hearts on fi-i-i-i-re!”. I think not! What about “Going the Distance” and THE Rocky theme by Bill Conti. WORST music ever. There is also, at least FOUR training montages!
Twitter: kaiderman
December 14, 2011 1:59 pm
The barn/snow montage is my favorite. I was commenting on that more than the music.
I must break you.
I’m conflicted. I’m happy Harry Potter is on this list, but man… Goblet of Fire is probably the worst of the movies. I know I give Prisoner of Azkaban (the so-called “best of the series”) a lot of flak but GoF makes more mistakes. At least from an adaptation standpoint. Still, when it hits the right notes, it REALLY hits the right notes… case in point, the graveyard scene.
Twitter: kaiderman
December 12, 2011 8:17 pm
EIC and I talked about it and think it’s one of the funner Potter movies. I like it.
Unlike Nick, I think GoF gets a far harder time than it deserves and I always rank it among my favorites. Primarily because in the context of the series it’s 100% transition. It’s an opportunity to spend time with the characters, enjoy their quirks – get to know them a bit better – and leave behind the one and done format of the plots before and work our way into the greater story.
Not sure if the James Bond series would be disqualified for any reason but I’d throw out Thunderball from the Connery era.
I can agree with what you say about GoF. However, none of that translates onto the screen. Instead of slowing it down and taking time to look at the characters (like Sirius and Harry’s relationship, for instance… or Hermione’s S.P.E.W. or detective skills regarding Rita Skeeter… or anything with Rita Skeeter in general… or Ron’s deeper emotions toward Harry… or reintroducing Dobby… or any other number of character building things)… it decides to turn it into a useless action movie that builds nothing for the rest of the series except for the last 15 minutes, which it then refuses to explain. And then that makes other things later in the series, particularly Deathly Hallows, not make sense.
So yeah, I’m still gonna say it was a very poor translation and rather sloppily put together.
Twitter: kaiderman
December 12, 2011 8:18 pm
Thunderball is a great choice that has made many similar lists. I am NOT a Bond afficianado so I could not throw it up here but noted!
Twitter: NeverTooEarlyMP
December 12, 2011 11:11 pm
Great list Kai, although I’m a little worried that the studios will read this and take it as a sign that they should turn all movies into four-ways (which just sound sexier than fourquels).
Twitter: manilovefilms
December 13, 2011 9:58 am
Kai, ya got it all wrong, man – Lethal Weapon 2 is the SHIT! I’ve seen that one way more than any other in the franchise (1 is too serious and it starts getting stupid with 3 and 4, though I still like ‘em enough). But…but…sir, you’re black! And Patsy Kensit FTW!
However, I’m right there with you on Police Academy. I, too, have seen #4 more than any other. I could stand a marathon watch of at least the first four again. They got shitty real fast after that one. I barely remember seeing one in Miami (#6?), but know I never need to see it again.
Hells yeah to Rocky IV.
Twitter: kaiderman
December 13, 2011 10:28 am
Agree to disagree on Lethal Weapon 4. I love that one.
You know, I like the Miami PA too. My only problem is shining lack of the Gutte!
Twitter: callmesirphobos
December 15, 2011 10:07 pm
I haven’t watched any of the Lethal Weapons besides the first one in a while, so I’ll reserve judgment.
Twitter: MarkusWelby1
December 13, 2011 10:25 am
Live Free or Die Hard baby! It’s got parkour…..Maggie Q….and Bruce kicking all forms of ass. Throw in fat ass Silent Bob, and you’ve got a winner sir!
And Mary Elizabeth Winstead!!
Twitter: MarkusWelby1
December 14, 2011 6:28 pm
no doubt!
With the whole Cold War deal (that was dumb), Rocky IV was the bomb back in the days!
Goblet of Fire is quite underrated I agree. It’s really the point shit’s getting serious in the HP franchise
Twitter: ptsnob
December 13, 2011 9:57 pm
Strangely, I’ve also seen Police Academy 4 more than all the others. Is it better, or was it just on TV more when I was younger.
I’m iffy on Lethal Weapon 4. Jet Li is awesome, but there are some terrible jokes and some awful scenes. It’s not bad as far as “fourquels” go, though.
No arguments on Rocky IV. That one’s the best of the list.
Twitter: kaiderman
December 14, 2011 2:00 pm
PA4 was on cable alot back in the day.
I LOVE LW4. I just think Chris Rock going on cell phone stand up bits in the middle of the film is distracting. As far as back and forth between Murtaugh and Riggs, I think it’s the best since the first.
Twitter: callmesirphobos
December 15, 2011 10:08 pm
The worst/best part about Rocky IV is the awful speech he gives at the end about change. It’s one of my favorite things in this life.
I was going to yell at you for making it #1, but I loved it growing up. As you said, though, it’s not actually good.
Twitter: callmesirphobos
December 15, 2011 10:09 pm
Oh, and I also agree that my faith has been restored for Fast & Furious.