As a cinephile who has seen more films than I can count, I must say that some sequels leave me scratching my head in disbelief. Take for instance Jaime King’s “Escape Plan” series. Unquestionably, it’s an improvement over the second film, though a rock with two drawn-on eyes and a smile would hold more character than that abomination of a movie. Regardless, the “Escape Plan” series feels a little like the “Taken” franchise by the third entry. If the security business keeps giving someone headaches and endangering their lives, maybe it’s time that Ray Breslin does something else with his life. Will we ever see “Escape Plan 4,” though? Hopefully not.
In a similar vein to how you can’t imagine pizza without cheese, it’s hard to think of Hollywood without its action movie sequels. We’ve talked about upcoming sequels that might have slipped under your radar, but what about those that already exist yet remain unknown?
As a dedicated gamer, I often find myself diving into the expansive world of video game sequels, and sometimes, lesser-known ones slip through the cracks – especially when they don’t feature the same characters or voice actors from previous installments. In some instances, these games appear to be completely different genres with just a whisper of a connection to their predecessors. However, in an attempt to lure gamers like me, they are sometimes marketed as sequels to popular titles. I guess when things get tough, you’ve got to pull out all the stops!
Let’s explore some action movie sequels featuring different leading men, as “Road House 2” without Patrick Swayze and a “Kindergarten Cop” remake starring another popular muscular actor instead of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Here are some lesser-known sequels to add to your watchlist for an exciting and cheesy viewing experience!
Road House 2: Last Call
Have you heard that there’s a 2006 sequel to “Road House” that doesn’t get much attention? Known as “Road House 2: Last Call,” this film, directed by Scott Ziehl, was initially released directly to video. It seems it also found its way into many discount bins. Despite not receiving widespread recognition, the sequel makes an effort to carry on the storyline from the 1989 original movie to some extent.
In “Road House 2,” the narrative revolves around Johnathon Schaech as Shane Tanner, a character tied to Patrick Swayze’s James Dalton from the first story due to being his son. Shane steps forward to shield his uncle Nate (Will Patton) and their establishment, the Black Pelican bar, from harmful gangsters led by Wild Bill (Jake Busey) and Victor Cross (Richard Norton). Concurrently, Shane endeavors to uncover the truth behind his father’s death, a renowned figure, and exact retribution on the culprit. A word of caution: The murderer is one of the film’s villains, as it often happens in such stories.
In contrast to its original, “Road House 2” doesn’t quite match the intensity or suspense of the first movie. However, it does try to flesh out more background – albeit at the cost of the original character, Dalton, in favor of a revenge narrative for his son. Unfortunately, many viewers found it lacking in quality, as indicated by its low audience score of 33% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite
Originally, Jean-Claude Van Damme’s character Frank Dux in “Bloodsport” was seen shouting wildly and participating in a Kumite tournament. He also delivered powerful blows to his opponents in sensitive areas. Later on, in 1996, a sequel called “Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite” emerged.
For this movie, neither Van Damme nor his character made an appearance. Instead, it focuses on a new main character called Alex Cardo (played by Daniel Bernhardt). After being imprisoned for stealing an antique sword, he gets martial arts training from a master, and eventually competes in an underground Kumite tournament. Besides Bernhardt, the movie also showcases Pat Morita, known for “The Karate Kid,” and Donald Gibb, who previously starred as Ray “Tiny” Jackson in the original “Bloodsport.
Using Jeff Schechter’s script, a film like “Bloodsport II” is as foreseeable as a dog at a buffet, given its predictable moves. Yet, it has an undeniable appeal and sincerity, primarily due to Bernhardt’s dedicated portrayal and martial arts skills. Interestingly, Bernhardt reprised his role as Alex in “Bloodsport III,” only to take on a completely new character in “Bloodsport 4: The Dark Kumite.” Whether it was a choice or circumstance – that remains a mystery.
Timecop 2: The Berlin Decision
In the movie “Timecop” released in 1994, Jean-Claude Van Damme embarks on a unique spin of the “Back to the Future” concept, infused with action elements. What’s fascinating is that you might not have known this film was adapted from a comic book. This sci-fi action movie made a significant impact at the worldwide box office, raking in over $100 million on a budget of just $28 million. Given its substantial earnings and devoted audience, it was only natural for a sequel to emerge, taking the form of “Timecop 2: The Berlin Decision,” which came out as a direct-to-video production in 2003.
In the sequel to the action film, we find ourselves almost twenty years later. The narrative revolves around TEC agent Ryan Chang (played by Jason Scott Lee) who must prevent SHA leader Brandon Miller (Thomas Ian Griffith) from going back in time and assassinating Adolf Hitler. This mission leads to a discussion on the potential far-reaching, unintended impacts that meddling with significant historical occurrences can have on the timeline as a whole.
As a gamer, I’d say: “If you’re in the mood for a high-octane, time-travel action flick that’s more about punching the clock than pondering the mysteries of the universe, ‘Timecop 2’ is just the ticket! Don’t expect deep philosophical questions like in Christopher Nolan’s ‘Interstellar’, and you might find some plot holes big enough for a character to twirl a hula hoop in. But if it’s non-stop action and time-travel adventure you’re after, this one’s worth a watch!
Hard Target 2
In the iconic 1993 movie directed by John Woo titled “Hard Target,” Jean-Claude Van Damme with his striking mullet plays Chance Boudreaux, an action hero who specializes in snake fighting. He unwillingly gets entangled in a dark plot where the wealthy engage in hunting humans for amusement. The 2016 sequel, “Hard Target 2,” directed by Roel Reiné, maintains the original concept and can also be seen as a reboot since it presents a new storyline.
In this action movie, Scott Adkins plays Wes Baylor, an MMA fighter who believes he’s been offered a high-stakes fight in Myanmar. However, it turns out that he’s not there for a match but is instead hunted by a lethal group. The film also features Rhona Mitra, Robert Knepper, and Temuera Morrison in supporting roles.
In simpler terms, the direct-to-video film titled “Hard Target 2” wasn’t widely appreciated by audiences as indicated by its poor audience rating of 20% on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, some publications admired it for not deceiving viewers about its quality and sticking to what was promised in the trailer. The Action Elite particularly applauded Scott Adkins for his dynamic performance and martial arts skills that add charm to his role. To clarify, “Hard Target 2” is primarily designed for an enjoyable experience rather than a long-lasting impact.
Half Past Dead 2
Don Michael Paul’s “Half Past Dead” isn’t Steven Seagal’s most renowned or profitable movie, but it remains a source of enjoyment for fans of ’00s action films due to its cheesy dialogue. The 2007 sequel, titled “Half Past Dead 2,” focuses on Twitch, a character from the first film played by rapper Kurupt, who forms an alliance with William Burke (WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg), a muscular inmate. The storyline cleverly references the original, as Twitch embarks on a quest to find gold bricks hidden by Lester McKenna (Bruce Weitz), and must join forces with Burke when things go awry within the prison.
It’s interesting to note that while “Half Past Dead 2” had less star power and a smaller budget, it actually received a higher audience rating than its original – 47% compared to 38% on Rotten Tomatoes. Although it might not have been hailed as the next “The Rock” by Michael Bay, viewers seemed to appreciate its moments of quality and fulfillment of action promises. Moreover, the appearance of Goldberg was well-received among professional wrestling enthusiasts.
The Condemned 2
Though ‘The Condemned’ wasn’t the most globally recognized or high-grossing action movie, its concept – akin to ‘The Hunger Games’, but set among convicts – resonated with fans of B-action films. Moreover, the prospect of watching “Stone Cold” Steve Austin unleash his fury against stars like Vinnie Jones and Manu Bennett is certainly an appealing one!
To put it another way, the original movie didn’t leave viewers craving a follow-up. Yet, a sequel titled “The Condemned 2” was released in 2015. Similar to the first film, the story revolves around a group of individuals who are compelled to battle each other for their lives within a single location. In the main role is professional wrestler Randy Orton, portraying the hard-as-nails character Will Tanner. He’s supported by renowned actors like Eric Roberts and Wes Studi in this production.
As a gamer, I’d say: “The original ‘Condemned’ game was a blast with its mindless enjoyment and eye-popping action scenes, but the sequel directed by Roel Reiné didn’t quite measure up in terms of entertainment or leaving an impact. To make it worse, Orton, who’s awesome in wrestling, seems to be out of his depth on a movie set.
Kindergarten Cop 2
Regarding his films, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most significant hurdle might have been portraying a tough cop dealing with a group of unruly children in the 1990’s movie “Kindergarten Cop.” This blend of humor and action-packed muscle has proven timeless, making it a film that remains enjoyable and attracts viewers even today. Moreover, it was a financial success, grossing more than $200 million worldwide on a budget of just $15 million.
Leaving behind the cash on offer, Schwarzenegger bid farewell to the franchise, never to revisit the Astoria Elementary School again. However, a follow-up titled “Kindergarten Cop 2” emerged in 2016, with Dolph Lundgren portraying FBI Agent Zack Reed, disguising as a kindergarten teacher to retrieve a crucial flash drive and manage unruly kids. In essence, it mirrors the original plot but introduces fresh jokes and characters.
The sequel to “Kindergarten Cop,” titled “Kindergarten Cop 2,” didn’t receive much positive feedback from critics, similar to its precursor, which wasn’t universally adored either. Nevertheless, there was appreciation for Dolph Lundgren’s portrayal in the film, as Flickering Myth commented: “Lundgren enjoys himself in this role. Contrary to what the trailer may suggest, he’s not stiff or awkward. He possesses the charm that makes the movie worth watching.
Tekken 2: Kazuya’s Revenge
In contrast to the 2009 movie adaptation of Tekken, which wasn’t one of the largest flops in video game cinema history due to its direct-to-video release in the U.S., how many people can truly recall it? Given that Tekken is one of the most recognized fighting video game series after Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter, it deserved a better portrayal. The gods of cinema seemed to acknowledge this and provided an opportunity for redemption in 2014 with the release of “Tekken 2: Kazuya’s Revenge.
For a moment, let’s clarify something: The story presented here can be considered a prequel, as it focuses on Kazuya Mishima, the young father of Jin Kazama, the main character from the previous film in the video game world. However, remember that in this universe, timelines and continuity are somewhat flexible, like in comic books, so just enjoy the ride without overthinking it.
In “Tekken 2”, some familiar faces return, like Heihachi Mishima played by Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa and Bryan Fury portrayed by Gary Daniels. The storyline of amnesiac Kazuya transforming into a lethal weapon is more of a brief interlude between the numerous fight sequences. However, both fans and critics felt that this film, like many others in the Tekken series, strays too far from its original source material. Up for another round?
Cyborg 2: Glass Shadow
Here comes another action movie sequel inspired by a Jean-Claude Van Damme classic. Interestingly enough, the production of “Cyborg” in 1989 was born out of Cannon Films’ failed adaptations of “Spider-Man” and the sequel to “Master of the Universe.” With those projects not materializing, filmmaker Albert Pyun took advantage of the existing props and costumes to create an original film instead.
Four years on, the sequel “Cyborg 2: Glass Shadow” invited fans to revisit this world. The movie showcases Jean-Claude Van Damme’s character Gibson Rickenbacker through archival footage, but the plot unfolds in a future setting. In this new narrative, Angelina Jolie plays Cash Reese, a cyborg who disobeys her makers’ commands and develops feelings for her trainer, Colt Ricks (Elias Koteas). Although it appeared to be as cheap as a three-week-old hot dog, “Cyborg 2” boasted an impressive cast, including Jack Palance and Billy Drago.
Although Angelina Jolie may not appreciate this pre-famous movie of hers, it fits squarely into the category of movies that are so bad they’re good. To put it another way, compared to other films, it’s not as terrible and even resembles its sequel, “Cyborg 3: The Recycler,” which is like a visual and spiritual purgatory for both eyes and soul.
Escape Plan: The Extractors
In 2013, the action movie “Escape Plan” directed by Mikael Håfström became a must-watch for fans of the genre as it featured iconic actors Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger sharing the screen for the first time. The story revolved around Ray Breslin (Stallone), a skilled security expert, and Emil Rottmayer (Schwarzenegger), an inmate, who had to pool their strengths to break free from a high-security prison. However, the 2018 direct-to-video sequel of the film, titled “Escape Plan 2: Hades,” was poorly received, even earning criticism from Stallone himself.
Many fans thought the franchise was buried and gone for good, considering it had supposedly given up the ghost and been sent to the underworld. Yet, Sylvester Stallone got another chance to rectify the mistakes of the sequel through 2019’s “Escape Plan: The Extractors,” which featured Dave Bautista, Max Zhang, Devon Sawa, and Jaime King alongside him.
Without a doubt, the third film is better than the second one, but even a simple stone face drawn with eyes and a smile seems more alive compared to that questionable movie. Nonetheless, the “Escape Plan” series shares some similarities with the “Taken” franchise as they progress. Perhaps Ray Breslin needs a change in his life, given how the security business continues to cause him distress and peril. Will there be a fourth installment of “Escape Plan”? I hope not.
Walking Tall: The Payback
In Kevin Bray’s 2004 remake of “Walking Tall,” Dwayne Johnson delivers an outstanding performance. Although his acting career was still in its infancy at the time, Johnson’s magnetic charm permeates every scene as Army vet Chris Vaughn, who courageously confronts and fights against the corrupt forces in his small town. The movie wraps up decisively and functions as a standalone tale; however, it spawned two consecutive sequels in 2007.
The initial film is titled “Walking Tall: The Payback,” a spinoff with Western influences starring Kevin Sorbo as Nick Prescott, a former military man. Similarly to Chris, he utilizes his fists symbolically to sweep away corruption in his hometown. Similar to its predecessor, it wasn’t praised by critics or audiences, but it was not a catastrophe either; rather, it provided a satisfying fix for those craving vigilante-themed movies.
A few months down the line, “Walking Tall: Lone Justice” hit the screens, with Sorbo reprising his role as Nick. With his town now secure, he shifts to another location where — wouldn’t you know it? — more trouble awaits him. Once again, he finds himself in a position where he must fight to restore order and justice. Whether this is a required sequel or not is debatable, but it certainly exists.
S.W.A.T.: Firefight
The 2003 film “S.W.A.T.”, directed by Clark Johnson and starring Colin Farrell and Samuel L. Jackson, is a somewhat adaptation of the ’70s TV series. Conversely, the 2011 direct-to-video sequel, titled “S.W.A.T.: Firefight,” has no significant link to its predecessor and instead revolves around a fresh group of recruits who are mentored by seasoned S.W.A.T. officer Paul Cutler, played by Gabriel Macht. Following a tragic hostage incident, Cutler and his squad’s abilities are put to the test as they work on improving their teamwork while confronting an impending danger.
Although “SWAT: Firefight” didn’t receive exceptional praise, it did garner some positive feedback and there are fans who appreciated its familiar and reassuring style. The franchise didn’t stop there, as a third film, “SWAT: Under Siege,” was produced in 2017, although it tells a different tale from the first two movies. In the same year, “SWAT” made a comeback on television, where it has enjoyed a long and prosperous run.
Feeling like diving deeper into the most remarkable film genre? Explore action movies that bombed at the box office but are still worth your time.
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2024-09-15 14:31