19. "The Road Warrior"(1981)
The Mad Max trilogy is more of a cult favorite than a mainstream success but the character became an icon that introduced the world to a 24 year old Australian actor named Mel Gibson in the gritty, low budget 1979 original. Director George Miller took things to the next level in this follow-up which is universally considered the best in the series. Dialogue and plot are kept to a bare minimum- this is an unapologetic B movie. But the costumes, make-up, and stunts in this grizzled spectacle are as good as anything that had been done up to that point and it certainly helped pave the way for the modern action film.
17,18. "Rocky III and IV"(1982,1985)
I might as well get this out of the way right now and just come right out and say it- I'm a huge "Rocky" fan. The 1976 original won Best Picture but there's no denying the entertainment value of these two sequels. Sylvester Stallone's ridiculously ripped physique, the bone crunching fight scenes, Hulk Hogan, a snarling Mr. T, and "Eye of the Tiger" took the series in a whole new direction.
Sly presses all the right emotional buttons as the dauntless Heavyweight Champ travels to Russia to face the massive and deadly Ivan Drago. If you don't feel like running through your living room wall to go train somewhere during the "Hearts on Fire" training montage, I have to seriously question your manhood. If you're not pumped before the final fight, you're probably dead.
16. "Die Hard with a Vengeance"(1995)
Director John McTiernan wisely opened things up in this explosive third entry in the seminal action franchise and let J McClane play on his home turf- New York City. The movie starts off with a bang and never lets up for two breathless hours. Bruce Willis slides very comfortably back into his dirty wifebeater and he gets solid support from a scene-stealing Sam Jackson and Jeremy Irons as Hans Gruber's brother. The massive break-in of the Federal Reserve Bank added a nice twist to the proceedings. Ignore any and all subsequent installments. This is the last REAL "Die Hard" movie.
15. "Superman II"(1981)
Christopher Reeve's Man of Steel soars in this glorious sequel that many prefer over the majestic 1978 original. After a touching courtship, Supes gives up his powers to finally bed Lois Lane while three supervillains from Krypton take over the Earth. Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor is still running around, Terence Stamp's General Zod was memorable to say the least, and the franchise peaked with that epic final battle above the skyscrapers of Metropolis. Forget about the Donner vs Lester directorial debate. Either way you slice it, "Superman II" is a winner.
14. "Lethal Weapon 2"(1989)
I'm just gonna run down all the reasons why this may be the best LW movie. It had the perfect mix of action and laughs which became the series' trademark. Joe Pesci is actually funny and figures into the plot. Those slimy South African villains were pure evil. One of them gets killed by a flying surfboard. There's the bomb under Murtaugh's toilet. A wild-eyed Riggs shoots a huge fish tank. Patsy Kensit drowns. The last 20 minutes is total carnage. Diplomatic Immunity?! Aryan Rudd must have been joking.
13. "Spiderman 2"(2004)
This spectacular sequel improved upon the 2002 original in almost every way. Tobey Maguire once again is just right as the angst ridden Peter Parker and Doc Ock is definitely the franchise's best villain. Director Sam Raimi expertly crafts the stunning action and effects- the elevated train sequence is the showstopping highlight. He never forgets the human touches though. Peter and Mary Jane finally get together in the end and the future looked bright. Pity about "Spiderman 3".
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Director Chris Nolan easily tops his franchise starter "Batman Begins" with this monumental follow-up, this biggest movie event of the past decade not named "Avatar". Nolan transcended the genre because he didn't set out to make a superhero movie. Instead he drew his inspiration from serious crime dramas like "Heat". Christian Bale's Bat must deal with escalating terror in the form of Heath Ledger's unforgettable Joker, unquestionably the best screen villain of the '00s. Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman again provide stellar support and Aaron Eckhardt's Harvey Dent/Two Face achieves a tragic pathos. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if "The Dark Knight Rises" made it's way unto this list next year.
"Batman Returns"(1992)
Tim Burton let his twisted imagination run wild in this arguably superior sequel to his game-changing blockbuster that set the template for all modern superhero movies. I know this is a controversial statement in a post-Nolan world, but you won't find more depth or psychological complexity in any other film in the genre. Michael Keaton was back in black, but there was no way he wasn't getting upstaged by the villainous double act. Danny DeVito is terrific as the Penguin, a deranged freak responsible for more than a few nightmares and his gruesomeness is countered by the sensual eruption that is Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman. Every appearance she makes in that skintight vinyl is a moment to treasure. With Christopher Walken thrown in for good measure and Danny's Elman's epic omnipresent score, the action and mayhem keeps spiraling further over the top. That's right where it belongs.
11. "Return of the Jedi"(1983)
The thrilling conclusion to the original Star Wars saga has all the action, humor, and creativity that one could hope for. The beloved cast of characters all came back to take their final bow and we're also introduced to Jabba the Hut and those cuddly Ewoks. The epic showdown between Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and the Emperor was beautifully done. The effects are still great and never needed Lucas's alterations. I urge everyone to get the original version on DVD before it gets buried forever in George's basement.
Next week- The greatest sequels of all time part II
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