Each is its own story and yes for the sake of storytelling there is a bit of suspension of disbelief but to say it was better than the second but not as good as the first is biased. This is not a trilogy but a sequel. I found the movie to be highly entertaining and moving. It was definitely the best sequel to give stepping stones to other sequels. It brought the franchise back into the light for others to discover.
Bad movies come and go.
This movie is a new beginning. It was the best Crow movie I've ever seen.