Let’s be honest, sequels usually blow. It is just another way for film industries to try to make more money without putting that much effort into it. It is quite rare when the sequel surpasses the original film. In this case, “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” didn’t necessary bypass the first “Wall Street,” but had several different elements to make it a tad bit better than its 1987 original.

“Wall Street” (directed by Oliver Stone) was filmed 23 years before its sequel and starred a much younger Michael Douglas (“Solitary Man”) and Charlie Sheen (“Two and a Half Men”). Sheen plays stockbroker Bud Fox who wants to rise to the top and make millions of dollars. Bud meets Gordon Gekko (Douglas) who helps him make money and become successful, illegally, through lies, deceit and dealing inside information. Bud gets involved in the crazy, ruthless, and amoral world of Gordon and his company, which ends up getting both Bud and Gordon in trouble. Douglas won an Academy Award for this role and the movie received good reviews, which brings us to the sequel.

“Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” (also directed by Oliver Stone) stars Douglas, Josh Brolin, Carey Mulligan and Shia LaBeouf with a brief cameo by Sheen. LaBeouf (“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”) plays Jacob Moore, a young and ambitious Wall Street trader who wants revenge on the man who played a role in his mentor’s suicide. Jacob just so happens to be dating Gordon’s daughter, Winnie Gekko (Mulligan, “Public Enemies”), and plans on marrying her. Gordon and Winnie have not spoken in years and when Gordon is released from prison, Jacob seeks his help and advice behind his fiancée’s back. This movie is full of dramatic ups and downs and gives the audience an exclusive inside look into the lives of (fictional) unbelievably rich Wall Street employees. The plot constantly entertains, and the characters draw the audience in with their own personal stories and emotional reactions.

The original “Wall Street” had more to do with the technical side of being a broker — chock full of stocks, trading, financial companies and Wall Street lingo. The audience is not really allowed inside the personal lives of the characters; a little information is given here and there, but the movie is mostly about the career of a broker and money. The 1987 movie was good, but not as exciting as its sequel. “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” has created more action, more drama and had more relatable characters. The sequel contains the same elements of the first, but in addition has the personality factor of seeing inside the characters’ lives and minds.

The audience is introduced to Jacob and Winnie, a young couple trying to start a life together. The audience learns more about Winnie’s background and why she is no longer speaking with her father. We are invited into the complicated relationship between Gordon and Jacob and how it affects Winnie. The characters in “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” have a perfect mixture of personality and depth, and when paired with this dramatic rollercoaster of a plot, makes this movie totally worth seeing.

“Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” does have a downside to it. For audience members who are not accustomed with Wall Street jargon or the career of a broker, the movie can get a little confusing. There are a few parts in the movie where it can be hard to follow because the characters expect the audience to know what the terminology is.

While it is not imperative to see the original “Wall Street” in order to understand references to it in “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,” seeing both movies is still the better choice. Whether you see this movie for the LaBeouf eye candy, the diverse plot line or the financial aspects, this movie is worth the money.