Sunday, 27 January 2013

Kiwi Film Review: Top 10 Film Trilogies

So, we all have our own favorites when it comes to trilogies. I think that a lot of people also become pretty passionate about their favorites, because unlike just one movie, you get tons of time for character development and therefore you get much more attached to the characters and the story lines are able to become more more intricate. So here is this weeks Top 10 list: Top 10 Film Trilogies


10.) Jason Borne Trilogy
I actually almost forgot about these ones when I was first making the list. I've only ever seen each one once, so theres actually a huge possibility that they should be higher, but until the day comes that I decide I need to see them again, they will stay at #10. These made me have some serious respect for Matt Damon, especially in The Borne Ultimatum, where he did a lot of the stunt work himself. These films are a perfect example of how to have an action movie with a real story to it. Really great.

9.) X-Men Trilogy
I adore practically everything that is fantasy/geeky, and X-Men definitely fits into that category. I have to say though, that I think the more recent ones are much better, and I think that First Class tops them all. I'm super excited about the new one coming out later this year. Of the trilogy the first is definitely my favorite, but the second two are great as well. I really don't think they're for everybody, but if you like action movies with a twist, especially superhero mutants, you'll definitely like these!


8.) Die Hard Trilogy
Technically there are 5 Die Hard movies but I've only seen the first 3 so I'm counting it as a trilogy, plus the last 2 came much later then the first ones. I only watched these for the first time earlier this year, so they're still pretty fresh in my mind. The first one is widely considered the greatest Christmas movie of all time, I don't think I'd go that far, but its definitely in my top 5. I never really understood the love for Bruce Willis until I saw these, but then I got it full on. I was pretty surprised to see Alan Rickman as the villan in the first one but it was awesome! Also has one of the best quotes of all time.


7.) Star Wars Trilogy (Episodes IV, V & VI)


A lot of people are going to think I'm crazy for not having it higher then this, but I can only love something so much. I think if I had seen it more then once when I was a child I'd like them more. I mean, I'm all about Star Wars, the only thing that holds me back is how awful some of the acting is. The awesomeness of the rest of it makes up for it for sure though. I just wish George Lucas would cut it out and stop updating some of the effects. It really took me out of it a couple of times when there were clearly 21st century special effects happening in a movie that was released in the early 80s. I really do enjoy them and will definitely be having a marathon on this upcoming Star Wars day (May the 4th). Everyone on earth should see these at least one time in their lives.

6.) Back To The Future Trilogy
Somehow I only saw these movies for the first time last year. The same thing will definitely not happen to my children, it is seriously unfair that my parents didn't show this to me when I was growing up. They are seriously so awesome! Such an awesome concept, who doesn't love time travel? I love the 80s version of what they think the future will be like, but going to the past in the first one was also very cool. I loved that they even kept the minor characters in all of them, very cool. Like I said, I really wish I had seen it when I was a kid because I would have enjoyed them even more, but I seriously sat down and watched them all in one day, once I got the first one into me I couldn't stop! I think its a general consensus that the third one is definitely the worst of the 3, but even that one was enjoyable. If you haven't seen them yet (which I doubt because everyone has) you should go see it now. Its never too late!

5.) Hannibal Lecter Trilogy 
I think these might actually be the movies that really pushed my love for  movies over the edge. In my first year of university when I was procrastinating my school work and saw it online and thought that I might as well try out Silence Of The Lambs because I'd never seen it before and I'd heard great things about it. Thats really when I started going crazy for movies, after I'd seen what I had been missing I decided I needed to watch every movie I'd ever wanted to see that I "just hadn't gotten around to." Thus  began my addiction passion. The Silence Of The Lambs is one of my favorite films of all time and I think it definitely deserves it. It won 5 Academy Awards; Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins, Best Actress for Jodie Foster, Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Hannibal dropped the ball a little bit for me, as much as I love Julianne Moore, I really wish Jodie Foster had stayed for this one as well, but I think Red Dragon picked it back up again by recruiting Edward Norton and Ralph Finnes. Everyone assumes that these are scary movies but they really aren't, its definitely more of a thriller then a horror. Definitely check them out.

4.) The Godfather Trilogy
To be completely honest, I haven't seen the third movie yet, but I think the first two are so good that even if Part III was horrifyingly bad, I still wouldn't be able to put it below #4 on this list. These movies are mind-blowingly good. Part I was my first taste of Marlon Brando, and I have to say I was blown away with his unbelievably acting skills. These were also by far the best movies that I had ever seen Al Pacino in so it really changed him in my eyes. Most of his more recent movies have been pretty awful, so I'm glad I saw these to prove to myself that he hasn't always made bad decisions. All-around great acting and writing, the storylines were fantastic. I never thought I would enjoy gangster movies(despite the fact that I loved The Departed), but after seeing this one I went back and watched all of the big ones; Goodfellas, Casino, Untouchables, Once Upon A Time In America, still haven't gotten around to Scarface yet.

3.) Lord Of The Rings Trilogy
I've loved these movies since I saw Fellowship Of The Rings when I was 10 years old and nothing has changed. They are completely fantastic films in every way. They are beautifully shot, impressively acted, and perfectly written. Its hard to believe they've been out for as long as they have been. I can't wait until I'm able to put The Hobbit Trilogy on this list as well, which I'm sure I will as An Unexpected Journey was fantastic. I really think Peter Jackson did a really phenomenal job on these movies and if for some reason you haven't seen them, give them a chance. It still blows my mind that some people haven't seen them yet. This summer my friends and I took a Sunday and sat down and watched all 3 of the extended editions on blu-ray and it was fantastic. Only took 12 hours!

2.) Indiana Jones Trilogy
My Dad introduced me to these when I was a pretty young kid, and if this isn't an example of ways that films influence your life I don't know what is. When I graduated High School I went into University to study Archaeology. Obviously that didn't stick because I'm not doing that now, but I did do 2 years. I love these movies, I love the history, the mystery, the treasure hunts, but most of all, I absolutely adore Harrison Ford. I mean honestly, just try to watch these movies without falling in love with him. He's not an overly emotive man, but he's definitely what would be considered to be a "man's man." I mean, just look at that hat and whip. So attractive. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was definitely my least favorite, but I still enjoy watching it. I actually think that Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was my favorite.

1.) The Dark Knight Trilogy
I know most people will disagree with me, but I don't care. I have loved Batman my entire life, and Christopher Nolan only helped me with that. I even love all of the 90s Batman movies, but not like I love these ones. I really think that Christopher Nolan changed superhero movies forever. Before this they very rarely appeared vulnerable, but that has been the case in one way or another in all three of these. It wasn't until The Dark Knight Rises came out that I could say for sure that this was my favorite trilogy, but I think that this final film weaved the trilogy together as I have never seen before. There was so much interaction between all three films that it just flows so beautifully. There is some absolutely incredible acting in all of the films from Christian Bale, Gary Oldman and especially Heath Ledger who won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his performance, but everyone else does an awesome job as well, Michael Caine steps up his acting in every movie. The cinematography is beautiful as well as the writing. I have no idea how its possible that Christopher Nolan or the films in general haven't won any Oscars for Directing or Best Picture, but its a shame. Anyone who enjoys any kind of films at all will enjoy these movies. I can't imagine anyone not enjoying them, they are just so good.


Honourable Mentions: The Matrix Trilogy, Mighty Ducks Trilogy, Toy Story Trilogy, Free Willy Trilogy




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