thepodgecastOn tonight’s live episode of the Podge Cast, the hosts will be battling over which movie in our vast history of cinema is the best movie sequel of all time.  I can think of a lot of really good sequels.  Empire Strikes Back, for instance, is a superior film to A New Hope.

For me though, there are only two films that approach the title Best Movie Sequel Ever.  They are movies that I never tire of watching.  Whenever I’m flipping channels and stumble on either film, I am compelled to stop what I am doing to watch.

godfather_the_ii_1Godfather II is a remarkable film, delving into the origins of Vito Corleone and documenting  Michael Corleone’s journey down a self-paved road to hell.  It is a film classic.

In addition to its deep commitment to story and displaying the flawed humanity of men who think themselves noble, The Godfather II, teaches life lessons:

  • If anything in this life is certain, if history has taught us anything, it is that you can kill anyone.
  • I don’t feel I have to wipe everybody out, Tom. Just my enemies.
  • Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.

Despite my abiding affection for the film, I have a hard time seeing The Godfather II as a sequel.  The Godfather and it’s “sequel” seem more appropriately divided by an intermission than end and opening credits.  Truly, they are one film.  As such, I disqualify The Godfather II from consideration.

startrek2khanStar Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is quite simply the best movie sequel ever.  Think about it.  It breathed brand new life into a franchise that many had pronounced dead after the critical failure of its predecessor Star Trek: The Motion Picture (I happend to really enjoy that movie, but I understand why others don’t).  WoK has its faults.  For instance, Khan recognized Chekov – a man he never met (Koenig had not yet joined the cast when Space Seed aired).  Why didn’t anybody notice that an entire planet was missing from the Ceti Alpha star system?  And doesn’t anyone leave notes or message buoys about where we exile our super criminals in the 23rd Century?  Yeesh!

Regardless, Trek II was the first time since the original series episode Balance of Terror that we had a sense of Enterprise’s enormity.  When Kirk and Khan go at each other in ship-to-ship combat?  It was true capital ship combat, firing along the broadsides.  I can think of few film moments that were as cool as the image of Reliant blasting the hell out of NCC-1701.

The movie had action, heart, thrills, and a real sense of loss.

Helluva thing when Spock died.  Remember, back then we had no idea that there’d ever be another Trek.  For a very brief time it seemed he was genuinely dead.

And we mustn’t overlook… Shatner had some of his best hair moments in this film.

Case.  Made.

Best movie sequel ever?  Trek II, my friends.  Anyone who says otherwise is either a fleshy-headed mouth breathing mutant moron or Joe Selby.

What: The Podge Cast Live Episode – Best Movie Sequel Ever
When: 8:30pm Eastern Daylight Time (GMT-5), Tuesday, April 31, 2009
Where: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-podge-cast

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