Top 5 – Comedy Sequels

Good comedy sequels are hard to come by.  Most of the time, the sequels fail because the plot gets beyond ridiculous and they repeat the same jokes, making them less funny and overall, unenjoyable.  However, there are occasions where comedy sequels succeed, and that is what I am going to look at with this list.  This, of course, is in honor of Neighbors 2 coming out this weekend.  So with that, here are my five favorite comedy sequels.

NOTE – Animated films and third films in franchises are not included. 

5 – GHOSTBUSTERS 2 (Ivan Reitman, 1989)

Ghostbusters (1984) is one of the most inventive films I’ve ever seen.  So a sequel to it had the incredibly hard task of being as funny as the first and still inventive without rehashing the original idea.  Ghostbusters 2 succeeds for the most part.  The gang has to fight a painting of an evil God who is plaguing New York with a sewage that turns everyone mean.  The plot is a bit ridiculous, especially towards the end when the guys save New York by bringing the Statue of Liberty to life, and it gets a bit “everybody love everybody” preachy.  But, the movie is still creative, fun, and most importantly, funny, thanks to the entire cast hitting on all cylinders.

4 – 22 JUMP STREET (Christopher Miller & Phil Lord, 2014)

21 Jump Street (2012) was a surprise smash hit.  It was hilarious, self-reverential, and filled with tons of action and a sweet story.  22 Jump Street takes that meta attitude of the first and makes a film just as funny and just as action packed.  Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) are now in college trying to stop an addictive drug from spreading throughout the campus.  The plot is exactly the same as 21, but 22 is so smart at mocking itself, it’s almost brilliant.  The bromance aspect is hilarious and sweet and the action is explosive.  This is a great movie and a franchise I’m excited to see more of.

3 – AUSTIN POWERS: THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME (Jay Roach, 1999)

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) is one of the most important movies of my life.  I remember renting it from Blockbuster (nostalgia whaaaat?!) and watching it four times within a 24 hour period.  So it surprised the hell out of me when I liked its sequel more.  The Spy Who Shagged Me is the perfect satire comedy, as our beloved spy Austin (Mike Meyers) must travel back in time to stop Dr. Evil (Meyers).  This movie ups the jokes from the first and has a plot so ridiculous, it’s great, as it perfectly makes fun of the ridiculous Bond films.  Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me is the best of the Austin Powers trilogy and a film that holds up to this day.

2 – WAYNE’S WORLD 2 (Stephan Surjik, 1993)

Wayne’s World 2 almost took the top spot.  This movie is perfect.  Wayne (Mike Meyers) and Garth (Dana Carvey) solidify their status as one of cinema’s greatest duos in a sequel that keeps the spirit and attitude of the first, just on a bigger level.  When Wayne sees Doors singer Jim Morrison in a dream, he sees it as a sign to organize a rock concert while also keeping his girlfriend’s sleazy manager (Christopher Walken) from wooing her.  Filled with tons of pop culture references, classic Wayne and Garth tropes and quotes, and a fun story, Wayne’s World II is simply excellent.

1 – CLERKS II (Kevin Smith, 2006)

Clerks II should have failed.  Writer/director Kevin Smith had just come off arguably the worst film of his career with Jersey Girl (2004) and was at a career low.  He went back to his roots and made one of his most mature and funniest movies to date.  Bringing back the dynamic duo of Dante (Brian O’Halloran) and Randle (Jeff Anderson), now working at a fast food restaurant, their friendship is tested by Dante’s decision to get married and move to Florida, leaving Randle in New Jersey.  This is a movie about friendship and growing up and Smith makes it sentimental without being sappy.  The movie is also funny as hell, with classic Smith characters mixed with his pitch perfect, irreverent dialog.  This is one of Smith’s finest films and the best of all comedy sequels.

What are you favorite comedy sequels?  Comment below or hit me up on Twitter @kevflix or on Facebook at Kevflix.