2021 30 Day Film Challenge-Day 1

Favorite Film Sequel

Welcome to the first day of this year’s challenge. Since this is the second time I’m doing this challenge, it counts as a sequel right? Thus, the first category up for your consideration is your Favorite Film Sequel.
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Unfortunately, this was also a category I used last year, and I am challenging myself to pick different films this year. That said, my favorite film sequel remains the same as last year (The Empire Strikes Back), but I’m going to “officially” pick a different film here for the sake of variety.

This year’s pick is Terminator 2: Judgement Day. While technically not my favorite sequel, this certainly ranks right near the top of the list. It is also one of the few situations where the sequel is actually better than the original film. Last year, I went back and watched both the original 1984 Terminator film and T2, and I have to say that the sequel is a step up in nearly every aspect from the original. Arnold and Linda Hamilton helped create a new world in James Cameron’s original film, but they brought us deep in the world they created with the second film. The dystopian future was still there, but flipping the script and making Arnold the protector instead of the killer was a master stroke.

Not only did the story take things to a new level, but there is the obvious facet of the effects used in the film. While they look a little dated by today’s standards, the visual effects were state of the art at the time. The film was one of the first major motion pictures to make use of computer generated effects and set the stage for the expanded use of these effects throughout the motion picture industry. Just a year later, Spielberg’s Jurassic Park would make even wider use of computer animation with the introduction of virtual dinosaurs, and any moviegoer today can see hundreds or even thousands of effects shots in a single film.

To be honest, I could have selected this film for a few categories this year including Best Coming of Age Film or Best Road Trip/Travelling Film, but I decided to stick it here to start off the month with a bang. Be sure to leave a comment with your favorite movie sequel and check back tomorrow for the next category, a Film that starts with the last letter of your last name.

Full Category List
Day 2 - Film that starts with the last letter of your last name

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