Sometimes, when it comes to entertainment, going all out in the most outrageous way possible can actually be a good thing. It creates those unforgettable moments that stay with us long after the lights go out. In the world of Hollywood, sequels are notorious for taking this approach, making their predecessors seem tame in comparison.
For example, let’s talk about F9: The Fast Saga. In this movie, there’s a scene where a Pontiac Fiero takes a little detour… to outer space. I mean, seriously? Who saw that coming? Or how about Crank: High Voltage, where Jason Statham turns into a gigantic monster version of himself? It’s like they just couldn’t resist cranking up the crazy to the max.
And then there’s Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. Remember that epic fight scene from the first movie? Well, the sequel decided to amp it up by throwing in more celebrities than the final battle of Avengers: Endgame. Talk about a star-studded extravaganza!
But wait, there’s more! The credits sequence of 22 Jump Street is basically a crash course in taking ridiculousness to a whole new level. It’s like they wanted to make sure that no one left the theater without their jaws on the floor.
So, next time you’re in the mood for some mind-blowing, over-the-top entertainment, remember these examples. Because sometimes, the most absurd moments are the ones that leave us speechless.
1. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle shouldn’t have been as successful as it turned out to be. It defies all logic. Released 22 years after the original, it completely abandons the original cast and throws everything we thought we knew about Jumanji out the window. And yet, against all odds, it just works. It really does! By taking its characters into a Jumanji video game instead of bringing the chaotic world of the board game into our reality, everything becomes even more intense and exciting.
Karen Gillan gets to showcase her incredible martial arts skills, Kevin Hart hilariously dies multiple times and miraculously comes back to life, and Dwayne Johnson breaks the mold by portraying a goofy oddball who must learn how to be a hero. And let’s not forget Jack Black, who absolutely nails his role as a high school girl trapped in a grown man’s body. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is undeniably absurd, and that’s precisely why it succeeds so brilliantly.
2. F9: The Fast Saga
The Fast & Furious franchise has truly pushed the boundaries of ridiculousness in the past couple of decades. It all started as a mere imitation of Point Break and transformed into a series about street racing. Then, it evolved even further into a full-fledged action franchise. But now, it has reached a whole new level with its inclusion of superhumans, cyberterrorists with unlimited hacking abilities, and mind-boggling stunts involving planes and magnets.
However, nothing can quite compare to the absurdity of F9: The Fast Saga. In this film, Ludacris and Tyrese Gibson actually venture into space using a modified Pontiac Fiero. We’ve seen Idris Elba play a genetically enhanced supervillain and Charlize Theron catch cars mid-air with a magnet plane, but taking these two goofballs into outer space takes things to a whole new level of craziness.
3. Mission: Impossible II
Brian De Palma, the director of the original Mission: Impossible film, is well-known for his unique and intense style of moviemaking. However, he is not particularly known for making over-the-top action movies. On the other hand, Mission: Impossible II director John Woo is a man who is renowned for both his distinctive directorial style and his penchant for over-the-top action movies.
While the first Mission: Impossible movie was a sleek and thrilling spy story, its sequel takes things to a whole new level of bombast and craziness. In this John Woo extravaganza, everything is stylized and downright insane.
Take, for example, the scene where Tom Cruise is rock climbing. He nearly plummets to his doom, but just in the nick of time, his assignment is delivered to him via exploding sunglasses. In this film, John Woo is firing on all cylinders, leaving no limits to his imagination. There are more slow-motion sequences, flying doves, and ridiculously choreographed fight scenes than you can possibly imagine. And let’s not forget about the masks. How many times can one Mission: Impossible movie have a dramatic de-masking scene? Mission: Impossible II pushes the boundary and makes you question whether you can even trust your own eyes.
4. John Wick: Chapter 2
Back in 2014, John Wick reminded us all that Keanu Reeves is pretty awesome and that a well-choreographed fight scene can make up for a simple plot. Reeves played a heartbroken assassin who used his fists, knives, and guns to win us over. He managed to take down a staggering 80 people in just one movie.
But then, in 2017, John Wick: Chapter 2 came along and completely surpassed the first movie’s kill count. In a little over two hours, John Wick single-handedly ended the lives of almost 130 people on the big screen. That’s right, Keanu Reeves managed to average more than one kill per minute in John Wick: Chapter 2. If that isn’t taking things to a ridiculously intense level, then we don’t know what is.
5. Terminator 2: Judgment Day
In 1984, The Terminator hit the screens as a sci-fi/thriller featuring then-little-known actors. With a budget of just over $6 million, it was a modest production. Fast forward to 1991, and Terminator 2: Judgment Day exploded onto the scene as an action-packed blockbuster. Starring the biggest movie star of that time, Arnold Schwarzenegger, this film had a budget of around $100 million. Quite the leap, right?
The sequel traded in the small-scale story, contained action, and simple plot of its predecessor for pure excess. Terminator 2: Judgment Day remains famous today for its mind-blowing special effects, larger-than-life set pieces, and genuinely moving storyline. With a budget 16 times larger than the first film, T2 propelled the franchise from a slasher series to an action franchise that churned out money overnight.
6. Every ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ Sequel
Looking back, it’s no surprise that A Nightmare on Elm Street turned out to be a groundbreaking horror film, courtesy of industry icon Wes Craven. This movie, written and directed by the mastermind behind The Hills Have Eyes, Scream, and Red Eye, introduced the world to the unforgettable Freddy Krueger. And hey, it also gave us the pleasure of witnessing Johnny Depp being devoured by a mattress – quite an entertaining sight!
However, A Nightmare on Elm Street immediately faced a challenge that plagued all its sequels: the constant need to create increasingly intricate dream sequences. Now, that’s not to say that the sequels are all terrible or lacking in imaginative kills. In fact, some of them are genuinely good, and the kills themselves can be mind-blowing! It’s just that with each new movie, there’s the pressure to come up with fresh kills that haven’t been seen before, and well, that doesn’t always turn out to be the best outcome.
7. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
The surprise success of 2004’s Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy skyrocketed Will Ferrell’s career, solidifying his stardom in the 2000s and 2010s. With its remarkable DVD sales, it was only a matter of time before the highly anticipated sequel became a reality. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues finally hit theaters in 2013, following the same formula as its predecessor: a modestly budgeted comedy with plenty of improvisation.
While much of the film embraced spontaneity, there was one scene that required meticulous planning: the brawl sequence. The original brawl scene was already iconic, featuring notable cameos and unforgettable lines. So, naturally, the sequel had to up the ante. And boy, did they deliver. This brawl scene not only became even more absurd, but it also showcased an abundance of celebrity cameos.
In addition to Ferrell, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, and David Koechner reprising their roles, Anchorman 2’s brawl scene boasted an impressive lineup of stars. Sacha Baron Cohen, Kanye West, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Jim Carrey, Marion Cotillard, Will Smith, Liam Neeson, John C. Reilly, Harrison Ford, Kirsten Dunst, and Greg Kinnear all joined the mayhem. It’s safe to say that this fight scene could easily rival the intensity of Avengers: Endgame, giving it a run for its money.
8. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Home Alone, a hit movie, seemed like a standalone story with a clear ending. Kevin survived his misadventures and his family returned home safely. But when a movie makes as much money as Home Alone did, it’s hard for Hollywood to resist the temptation of a sequel. The sole purpose of the film industry is to make a profit, after all. So, Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern reprised their roles to clash once again in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
In this second installment, Kevin finds himself, unsurprisingly, lost in the bustling city of New York. And of course, he must confront the Wet Bandits, who have miraculously resurfaced. It’s quite a stretch to believe that all of this is happening again, but let’s set that aside. What’s important is that Kevin has become even more vengeful this time, devising some seriously deadly and clever traps. He could give James Bond a run for his money with his inventive and dangerous contraptions. Forget the lighthearted traps from the first movie; in this sequel, Kevin has transformed into a malicious genius who can electrocute and explode his enemies at will.
9. Crank: High Voltage
If you thought 2006’s Crank was already off the charts, get ready for an even wilder ride. The original film set the bar for a guy who has to keep his adrenaline pumping to stay alive. Let’s face it, the whole concept was pretty absurd. He gets into fights, takes drugs, and – yeah, you guessed it – has public sex with his girlfriend. Talk about keeping the adrenaline flowing, right?
But hold on tight, because Crank: High Voltage takes the insanity to a whole new level. Jason Statham shoves a shotgun up some guy’s rear end. He has conversations with a disembodied head. And at one point, he turns into a freaking giant monster. Oh, and just to top it off, the movie concludes with him flipping off the audience. If the first Crank was like a crazy dream, then its sequel is like a dream within a dream. That’s really the only way to describe this mind-boggling flick.
10. The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Can you believe Universal’s attempt to follow up on the iconic Jurassic Park? It’s been almost thirty years and they show no signs of stopping. Their first attempt was The Lost World: Jurassic Park, which, in comparison to the rest of the franchise, is quite mild. However, they did step up their game in one major way: the dinosaurs invaded California!
In a clear nod to King Kong, The Lost World showcases a Tyrannosaurus rex wreaking havoc in San Diego. Despite the movie being a bit disappointing overall, this scene is an absolute blast. Remember how intense it was to see a T-rex threatening a few humans in the first movie? Well, imagine an entire city in peril! This is the kind of excitement we expect from a trip to the cinema, folks!
