Opening July 3 is Men IN Black II.  The first sequel to the runaway success of Men In Black.  Like so many science fiction films there was talk of a sequel as soon as the original came out 5 years ago.  Unlike many many movie series Men In Black looks like the perfect formula to create many succesful sequels.  Earlier this summer we got Attack of The Clones.  The fifth Star Wars film.  Later this year we get to see the latest Star Trek movie Nemesis.  Today lets look back at the best genre sequels ever made.    

1.THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK(1980)

Released three years  after the groundbreaking and box office breaking Star Wars, Empire as much as it is hard to beleive is a better film.  The movie focuses entirely on the story it wants to tell and doesnt deviate the entire two hours. 

2.THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN(1935)

James Whales followup to 1931's Frankenstein is not so much a sequel but a satire on that famous monster movie.  The scene where the Bride meets Frankenstein is one of the treasures of the cinema.

3.ALIENS(1986)

James Cameron unforgetable followup to Ridley Scotts Alien is totaly unique.  Instead of rehashing the scares from the origial Cameron created one of the great action movies of the 80's.

4.STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME(1986)

The fourth and best Star Trek films has the crew of the Enteprise traveling back in time to rescue a whale to save the future.  Thankfully the people involved didn't let the silly ideas bother them and created one of the funniest and most beloved science films in history.

5.INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE(1989)

Steven Spielberg equelled his sucess of Raiders by sticking with the same formula and characters.  A move he miscalculated with Temple of Doom.  Sean Connery comes on board in a brilliant move to play Indy's dad.

6.RETURN OF THE JEDI(1983)

The final of the original trilogy is escapist entertainment at its best.  The Jedi plan one final trust into the heart of the empire.  The movie simply gives the viewer what it wants and more.

7.QUATERMASS AND THE PIT(1967)

Hammer studios followup to the Enemy From Space is rich with mytholgy and science.  Subway workers uncover the remains of a crashed alien space craft.  It's up Bernard Quatermass to solve the riddle of their existence.  Errie and fun

8.SUPERMAN II(1980)

The followup to the original Superman has three super aliens trying to take over the Earth.  The real heart of the movie though focoses on the ever-growing relationship of Clark Kent and Louis Lane.  Spectactular entertainment.

9.STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN

The second movie more than the others what an original series episode would have been like with a big budget and a big screen.  The genetically engineered superman Khan from one of the episodes returns and wants revenge on Kirk.  Great character drama in the storied tradition of the show.

10.ADIU, GALAXY EXPRESS

The sequel to Galaxy Epress 999 once again stars a young earth boy traveling on a cosmic train called the Galxy express.  This time around he travels to the maching homeword to save the universe.  Wonderful characters and visuals.