Almost all of the time, movie franchises start off as an idea for one film that the producers are hoping can make them money. When these films are successful, Hollywood decides to capitalize on their success and make sequels. When it comes to film, three seems to be the magic number. We’ve seen many great film trilogies come by and I hear to name my top 5 favorite trilogies. Before I start, I’m just going to say that this is opinion based, so if you don’t agree with my list, then that’s perfectly fine. Now on with show!
5. The Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The World’s End)
I’m starting with three films that people probably have heard of, but may not have known was part of a trilogy. Director and Writer Edgar Wright teamed up with comedic actors Simon Pegg (who has also help written) and Nick Frost to make 3 different spoof movies. First was Shaun of the Dead, a spoof on zombie films (mainly George Romero films). Next was Hot Fuzz, a spoof on buddy cop films and finally The World’s End, a spoof on either alien invaders, the apocalypse or beer drinking, its kind of hard to tell. What makes these films different from other spoofs is that the writing great, with witty jokes and dialogue between the characters, Pegg and Frost work really well together and have great chemistry on set. All three films are fantastic and hilarious. The reason it’s only number 5 is that I wanted to try to stick with trilogies that tell the same story and have the same characters through each film. However these films we’re too good to leave off. Also why is it called the Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy? Because there is blood and ice cream in each film. Funny you wouldn’t it would be that simple
4. Back to the Future
Director/Producer Robert Zemeckis has a long list of great film achievements and the Back to the Future trilogy is one of his best. The first film is considered the pinnacle time-travel movie. The film not only had a great story, but also great comedic timing and many memorable scenes and lines (Great Scott! 1.21 gigawatts! Make like a tree, and get out of here, I could go all day). The acting is also fantastic. Michael J. Fox really sells it as the young, cool, kind of snarky Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd practicly created the move scientist look. The score of the films are also very memorable. Its sequels were able to carry over the great things from the first film without rehashing the plot. It feels like one long story instead 3 of the same movie. While people feel that the third is too different, I actually like the change of scenery to the old west. It lets us see how our two main characters act in a completely different environment. Overall, a memorable experience.
3. Lord of the Rings
I know what you’re thinking… HOW THE HECK IS LORD OF THE RINGS ONLY #3!!!! Well let me explain: Yes these films are fantastic and definitly deserve to be #1 on a lot of lists. The thing is with me; I’m not that huge of a Lord of the Rings. Don’t get me wrong, I do like the movies, Peter Jackson created such a beautiful, mystical world with great characters. The action scenes are amazing and the overall cinematography is some of the best in film history. The acting is great and you get many memorable performances. While it can be a little slow at times, there is plenty to keep you invested. But again, I’m just not that huge of a fan. I do though really enjoy the films and recognize all of the great things here. It’s just not my #1 choice.
2. Toy Story
I feel like this will come as a little bit of a surprise to some people, but it really shouldn’t. I’m surprised that no one really mentions Toy Story in his or her top movie trilogies list. The first Toy Story move was one of those films that changed cinema. It was the first full computer generated film and one of the first to use CGI for children’s films (Prior it was mostly used for action). It has so many memorable characters, from Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and Jesse (Joan Cusack), you enjoyed all of them. This is also one of those rare trilogies that got better as the films progressed. They also got much more mature and had a lot more heart as they went on. (I know you cried or almost cried at the end of Toy Story 3, don’t lie to me). I know when I turn old; I’ll still be watching these kid’s films. They we’re truly magical, the kind of magic that Pixar usually brings.
1. Star Wars: The Original Trilogy
You can argue that Lord of the Rings is better or even Toy Story, but I don’t care. Star Wars is my number 1 movie trilogy. I was debating before writing this the other four spots what they would be, but I knew from the start that this would be my number 1 choice. Star Wars was one of the first films I’d seen, and so many moments have stuck with me today. From the Death Star run, to the lightsaber battle with Darth Vader, to the attack on Endor, the magic that this franchise has is truly amazing. The acting is great and everything else is good as well, such as the cinematogrophry and set and character design, but it’s the story that really sells it for me. The mythos that George Lucas created has stuck with me forever and these will be the first few movies that I show my kids. It’s just that simple, if you haven’t seen these films, give them a watch, you won’t regret it.
