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“Dune: Part Two” is touchdown in theaters this weekend, and the film is already a promising franchise hit, with (so far) a powerful 94% vital score on Rotten Tomatoes, and an viewers rating one share level increased.
After 2021’s first entry fared equally nicely – and picked up a complete of six Academy Awards – the zeitgeist is inevitably evaluating director Denis Villeneuve’s sprawling world of “Dune” to those of “Star Wars” and “Lord of the Rings.” With that mentioned, there’s no time like the current to make use of Arrakis, the desert planet on the coronary heart of “Dune,” because the jumping-off level to discover different superb sequels in science-fiction, a style that’s fortunately been fertile floor for numerous second chapters in cinema.
Behold, a listing of some essentially the most notable, in no explicit order.
What higher approach to begin off than with one of many best sequels – and sci-fi movies on the whole – ever made, with a screenplay that’s been taught in movie faculties. James Cameron’s Oscar-winning followup to Ridley Scott’s haunted-house-in-space traditional from 1979 broke the mould in some ways, from its deft means to develop each member of the ensemble forged of mercenaries to the heart-wrenching crux of the story, Ellen Ripley’s (Sigourney Weaver) fiercely protecting and maternal relationship with a younger survivor named Newt (Carrie Henn). And that’s to not point out the completely iconic face-off between Ripley and one other maternal determine within the film – specifically the horrifying Alien Queen, as seen above.
A groundbreaking achievement by way of particular results and world-building on the time, “Star Trek II” was a sequel nobody noticed coming, because it felt very completely different from the troubled first characteristic movie primarily based on the historic tv collection. From early use of CGI to full-throttle performances from each heroic William Shatner and villainous Ricardo Montalban, “Khan” stands the check of time – particularly with that whopper of an ending.
James Cameron (sure, he’s been known as the king of sequels) struck cinematic sequel gold once more along with his awe-inspiring revisit of a world fated to be dominated by evil killer robots, and the few folks – together with a now pleasant cyborg in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most unforgettable efficiency – who stand in the best way. Amongst its many, many credit, together with a really badass flip from Linda Hamilton as a stronger and extra resilient Sarah Connor – the second “Terminator” additionally marked a large leap ahead for CGI results, serving to to put the groundwork for “Jurassic Park” and past.
After a daring new starting in 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” this sequel raised the stakes on this rebooted franchise that lastly had the unbelievable particular results to again up an concept first planted with the 1968 unique. That includes Andy Serkis in prime type as ape chief Caesar, “Daybreak” builds to an explosive crescendo anchored by chilling post-apocalyptic visions and actual emotion, as viewers are confronted with the true nature of what it means to be human. A fourth entry to the collection, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” is out this summer time.
‘The Highway Warrior’ (1981), ‘Mad Max Past Thunderdome’ (1985) and ‘Mad Max: Fury Highway’ (2015)
Within the post-apocalyptic house, it doesn’t get any extra bonkers than the world of Mad Max, which has seen a number of sequels reinvent and construct upon what got here earlier than in actually eye-popping vogue. Franchise mastermind George Miller’s second entry “The Highway Warrior” took the elements from his gritty first outing and crystallized them into an outstanding sequel, whereas the third installment stays memorable if for no different purpose than Tina Turner’s unbelievable look because the menacing Auntie Entity. Thirty years later, the Tom Hardy- and Charlize Theron-led reboot “Fury Highway” confirmed simply what number of new mind-bending prospects there have been for this world. Miller is at work on not one however two new installments, together with an origin story for Theron’s Furiosa starring Anya Taylor-Pleasure.
Whereas this franchise borders on each the supernatural and comedy genres, it deserves a spot on this listing for being an ingenious and under-appreciated sequel that took the weather from the unique “Ghostbusters” and ran with them. Giving extra room for performers together with Annie Potts, Rick Moranis, Invoice Murray and Sigourney Weaver to play – to not point out a really madcap efficiency from Peter MacNicol as an outlandish museum employee-turned-possessed demon, sometimes in drag – “Ghostbusters II” nonetheless brings the chills in addition to the enjoyable, giving new which means to the thought of “feel-good music” due to the outstanding placement of “(Your Love Retains Lifting Me) Larger and Larger” as sung by Howard Huntsberry.
Really and deservedly the “father” of all sequels, “Empire” blew the spaceship door off the “Star Wars ” franchise and is almost definitely the explanation it has not solely lasted this lengthy, however change into a perennial aspect in popular culture the world over. Its blueprint for deepening the story and increasing the characters has been adopted – however by no means bested – by many a sequel since, together with “Dune: Half Two” (the supply materials of which, it should be mentioned, served as a heavy affect for George Lucas when he was first conceiving his “Star Wars” universe). If for no different purpose, the choice to finish “Empire” on not solely a cliffhanger, however a down notice at that, is a daring transfer few franchises have ever tried, “Dune” amongst them.
“Dune: Half Two” is produced by Warner Bros. Photos, which, like CNN, is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.