Summer 2003 is certain to be remembered as the season of the sequel. With “X2: X-Men United” getting a head start in front of the rest of the pack, the race for your movie ticket money starts a month early. The good news is that many of this summer’s sequels may actually be better than their predecessors. Here’s a look at which familiar faces are returning.Now playing: X2: X-Men United — The mutant superheroes led by Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) return for an even bigger and better film than the original, full of action and exploring deeper themes of tolerance and justice.
May 16: The Matrix Reloaded — The second chapter of the Matrix trilogy finds freedom fighters Neo (Keanu Reeves), Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) continuing to lead the revolt against the Machine Army. Expect visual effects that top the original.
May 16: Pokemon Heroes — Parents will be surprised to learn that the Pokemon craze is not quite over as this fifth film installment introduces more characters and related merchandising that kids will insist they must have.
June 6: 2 Fast 2 Furious — This follow-up to summer 2001’s surprise hit “The Fast and the Furious” has Paul Walker reprising his role as a street racing former cop. But without the star power of Vin Diesel, this sequel may run out of gas quickly.
June 13: Rugrats Go Wild — Better titled “Rugrats Meet the Thornberrys,” Nickelodeon’s popular animated families join forces after being stranded on a desert island.
June 13: Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd — This “prequel” to the 1994 comedy with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels takes the dimwitted duo back to high school. The Farrelly Brothers did NOT direct this follow-up. Let that be a warning to you.
June 27: Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle — The crime fighting heroines have a whole new eye popping wardrobe to show off and a new Bosley (Bernie Mac) as they must face down a “fallen” angel, played by Demi Moore.
July 2: Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines — Now an adult, John Connor (Nick Stahl) is again threatened by a killing machine from the future — this time, the female T-X (Kristanna Logan). Arnold Schwarzenegger returns again to help save Connor and save humanity.
July 2: Legally Blonde 2: Red, White &Blonde — Perky Reese Witherspoon returns as perky Elle Woods, this time to take on Washington D.C.
July 18: Bad Boys II — Will Smith and Martin Lawrence return to the streets of Miami, reuniting with director Michael Bay and producer Jerry Bruckheimer for another round of big explosions and ammo reloads.
July 25: Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life — Angelina Jolie brings the video game heroine to life again, this time fighting to keep Pandora’s Box from being opened and having all hell break loose. Literally.
July 25: Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over — How could they possibly top the previous two installments in the adventures of spy siblings Juni and Carmen Cortez? By filming some scenes in 3-D, a decidedly retro technology. Hopefully it’s improved since “The Creature from the Black Lagoon.”
Aug. 1: American Wedding — The American Pie gang has graduated — this time to marriage, as Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) tie the knot. Stifler (Seann William Scott) throws the prerequisite bachelor party.
Aug. 15: Freddy vs. Jason — “Nightmare on Elm Street” psycho Freddy Krueger makes his eighth film appearance as he meets “Friday the 13th” psycho Jason Voorhees, making his 11th. Expect double the teenage carnage.
Aug. 29: Jeepers Creepers II — The supernatural flesheating Creeper is still hungry, and it’s got its eye on a big Twinkie (er, bus) full of high school basketball players and cheerleaders.
Next week: Summer film previews continue with a look at films without “2” or “Sequel” in the title.
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