Movies: Are sequels any better than the original?

Sequels are rarely better than the original movie, except in rare instances, unless they have actually been written as per example of a trilogy like Lord of the Rings. It really shows a lack of imagination and the pit falls of the moviemaking industry.

Unfortunately because they spend millions of dollars on each picture they want to sure thing so they go with what they know, and rarely show innovation and daring.

Often, the sequel isn't good or if it is, it isn't as good as the original but I have seen a few that is just as good or even better than the original one. One of them is National Treasure. The first one was an okay movie but the second movie was funny, interesting and full of suspense. Also the series Saw, all of the movies sequel was good.