Mark Harris
Pain in the ass
Generally, I think sequels are just lazy filmmaking. I can only think of two that I really liked. Aliens (liked it better than Alien) and Godfather II.
I am definitely in the minority in liking Alien better than Aliens, I think. But you're right as sequels go, it was one of the best.
I feel the same way about GF II. The thing about that movie was it felt like a "movie," as where the first GF felt like cameras were hidden around the homes and lives of the Corleones. I know the shooting style was not like that, but there was such a natural feeling to everything from the lighting to the acting, that to me, the second one just isn't quite in the same league. Dunno, I am alone in this opinion, for the most part.