EDITORIAL: Five Comic Book Movie SEQUELS Better Than Thier Predecessors

The editorial is not about the greatest sequel ever, it is more about the greatest improvement between the first and second outing so enjoy:

5. Thor: The Dark World/ Thor

Chris Hemsworth returned as the titular hero to prevent the destruction of the nine realms. The sequel, which featured a new director in Alan Taylor, surpassed the first film in terms of character development and world building. In the first film, Thor is seen as a sort of boy scout in the eyes of Odin but returns in The Dark World a seasoned and hardedned warrior. The film expands upon the worlds created in the first chapter with the inclusion of the Dark Elves. The Dark Elves provided a stronger villain than Thor's the Destroyer. The sequel has been criticised for a lack of supporting character devlopment but apart from the mainly negelcted warrior three, I felt the relationship between Jane and Thor grow as well as the other Earth bound characters. The Dark World is dominated by Loki and leaves on a compelling cliffhanger to see where this character can be taken after heavy involvement in phase 1. Overall, The Dark World really digs its claws in the Thor mythos which over shadows the first Thor films plot and narrative.

4. X2: Xmen United/ XMen 

Following on from 2000s XMen, Bryan Singer creates a sequel which contiued to expand the XMen universe. the film follows Wolverine as he uncovers the truth of his origin but it is the new mutants in the film which keep things interesting. Nightcrawler, a long time fan favourite, was a particular highlight for me and many others in this film. Xaviers school is expanded to include other familiar mutatnts and this was exciting as a XMen fan. The first film was good but the sequel hits all the right notes in terms of action ( Wolverine and Lady Deathstrokes fight) and emotion with Jean Greys demise. All the cast from Stewart to McKellen brought it and made probably the best XMen movie so far.

3. Spiderman2/ Spiderman

Spiderman introduced us to Peter Parker and the world of our friendly neighbour hood hero. While the film did well to establish the Spideyverse it wasnt until the second installment debuted that got the ball rolling. Doc Ock was a far more interesting villain compared to Green Goblin. However, Green Goblin did set up the amazing storyline which saw James Franco's Harry Osbourne head down a twisted path. All the actors seemed more comfortable in their respective roles with Jonah.J.Jameson appearing to be plucked straight from the comics. Spiderman 2 takes the third spot in terms of improvement due to superb film making in the form of the train scence to name but one and excellent perfomances, its such a shame things heading south with the trilogies final film.

2. The Wolverine/ XMen Orignins: Wolverine

Origins, the glorified cameo fest which nearly enough ruined the XMen franchise and obliterated the XMen continuity as well as Wolverines origins. However, there was hope for the character yet and this was delivered courtesy of James Mangolds Japan based follow up. The Wolverine isloated Logan from all other XMen and sent him on a quest which questioned his mortality. The dream sequences with Pheonix helped to add emotional and pyschological depth to the film which the previous one lacked. The Japanese set really set apart the installment from other X flicks and added real emotion to Logan. Hugh Jackman was on top form and as passionate as ever which enhanced his performance. The film learned from its preceeders flaws by having no other mutants and finally delivered a fan pleasing Wolverine movie.

1. Captain America: The Winter Soldier/ Captain America: The First Avenger

The first Captain America film was frankly the most boring of the original phase one movies. However, The Winter soldier is easily the greatest phase 2 if not MCU film thus far. The first film personally suffered from the wartime setting which was obviously necessary to the story but made it feel discluded from the whole Marvel universe. The present day Winter Soldier, delivered a mature and complex conspiracy and is really the first film to blow the entire MCU apart, more so than The Avengers. The sequel had everything from nick Fury taking part in the action, an incresed role for Maria Hill, a buddy comedy with Falcon and Cap and a true female hero in Black Widow. The lead villain of Bucky Barnes/ The Winter Soldier is more interesting than Whiplash, Mandarin, The Dark Elves and Red Skull combined. The film is beautifully directed, written and acted making this the greatest improved sequel.

Please feel free to add your thoughts and opinions below in the comics and hit the thumbs up if you liked the article. Im just starting out here so all the supor and critiques would be welcomed