Trilogies in film are usually beneficial to all parties. They are great for a movie studio because more money is made on two more iterations of a successful film. They are ideal for the filmmakers because they get additional opportunities to tell more narrative with the characters that they have creative control over. They are also wonderful to all of the fans of the original movie, who get to experience more of that narrative and fall in love all over again with the actors, situations, music, and style of the original.
A movie is classically separated into a three-act structure, the Setup, Confrontation, and Resolution. A good trilogy not only tells three solid stories, but creates a web that connects all three movies. It will use this structure for the three movies as well. The original can be said to be the setup as it establishes the characters and style of the franchise. The middle movie will take liberties and not setup the characters and context as much as the original and more confrontation will occur. The final movie resolves everything we've learned in the first two films and hopefully settles up any conflicts that have been presented throughout.
I usually want to stick to the Top 10 List format, but since we are discussing trilogies here, I want to downsize the list. In reality, fifteen movies are being discussed so this is totally justified. Alas, here are my top five favorite trilogies of all time:
A movie is classically separated into a three-act structure, the Setup, Confrontation, and Resolution. A good trilogy not only tells three solid stories, but creates a web that connects all three movies. It will use this structure for the three movies as well. The original can be said to be the setup as it establishes the characters and style of the franchise. The middle movie will take liberties and not setup the characters and context as much as the original and more confrontation will occur. The final movie resolves everything we've learned in the first two films and hopefully settles up any conflicts that have been presented throughout.
I usually want to stick to the Top 10 List format, but since we are discussing trilogies here, I want to downsize the list. In reality, fifteen movies are being discussed so this is totally justified. Alas, here are my top five favorite trilogies of all time:
5. Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy
1st Movie: Batman Begins (2005) [Christopher Nolan]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 1 more (Best Cinematography)
2nd Movie: The Dark Knight (2008) [Christopher Nolan]
Won 2 Oscars (Best Supporting Actor, Best Sound Editing) / Nominated for 6 more (Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Art Direction, Best Makeup, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects)
3rd Movie: The Dark Knight Rises (2012) [Christopher Nolan]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 0 more
1st Movie: Batman Begins (2005) [Christopher Nolan]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 1 more (Best Cinematography)
2nd Movie: The Dark Knight (2008) [Christopher Nolan]
Won 2 Oscars (Best Supporting Actor, Best Sound Editing) / Nominated for 6 more (Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Art Direction, Best Makeup, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects)
3rd Movie: The Dark Knight Rises (2012) [Christopher Nolan]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 0 more
Batman is and will always be my favorite comic book hero. I truly enjoy what Tim Burton does with the character in 1989 and 1992 and seeing the character become a cinematic laughing stock with the two other films of the 1990s by Joel Schumacher is hard to bear. Christopher Nolan rights the ship of Batman on the big screen with this beloved trilogy of comic book masterpieces. By taking the character and his environment so seriously and earnest, he is able to thrill hardcore Batman fans as well as general moviegoers with excellent story telling and phenomenal acting. Typically, when one thinks about Batman, who is played by Christian Bale, other supporting characters come to mind such as Robin, the Joker, and Alfred. Only one of these characters were present in Nolan's first film, Batman Begins (2005). The Bat's classic foe is not the antagonist and by the story's end, there is no hint at a sidekick. Instead, we get one of Batman's most deadly enemies in Ra's Al Ghoul, played by Liam Neeson, and a character that hasn't gotten much screen time in the Scarecrow, played by Cillian Murphy. The origin tale of the first film gives us the setting of the true jewel in the Nolan trilogy, The Dark Knight (2008). All three of these movies are currently in the IMDb Top 250, but the second rises above them all, firmly placed at number four. The acting by Heath Ledger as the Joker is nearly perfect, for the Nolan universe at least. Nolan puts Batman in a very realistic environment and Ledger's Joker has a very believable psychotic personality. The interactions between Ledger and Bale at the end of the film is great and the middle movie stands on its own as one of the greatest film in the past ten years. The third movie, The Dark Knight Rises (2012) revisits a lot of story elements from the original. It is by far the most grand in scope and over the top setting, with doomsday approaching for all of Gotham City like never before. The stakes are raised and Nolan has the viewers questioning story elements and the conclusion. The narrative connections with the first film does the overall trilogy wonders and this is just a fun movie to watch, with great character additions (who will ever forget Tom Hardy's Bane voice?) and awesome visuals.
Overall, the second movie is by far the best and is a wonderful addition to the lore of Batman and the Joker. The first and third aren't as solid which holds the trilogy back from being higher on my list. The realistic setting and dark tone of the franchise resonates with Batman fans everywhere and these will always hold a special place in the Bat section of my heart.
My favorite of the three: The Dark Knight
Overall, the second movie is by far the best and is a wonderful addition to the lore of Batman and the Joker. The first and third aren't as solid which holds the trilogy back from being higher on my list. The realistic setting and dark tone of the franchise resonates with Batman fans everywhere and these will always hold a special place in the Bat section of my heart.
My favorite of the three: The Dark Knight
4. Sergio Leone's Dollars Trilogy
1st Movie: A Fistful of Dollars (1964) [Sergio Leone]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 0 more
2nd Movie: For a Few Dollars More (1965) [Sergio Leone]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 0 more
3rd Movie: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) [Sergio Leone]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 0 more
1st Movie: A Fistful of Dollars (1964) [Sergio Leone]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 0 more
2nd Movie: For a Few Dollars More (1965) [Sergio Leone]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 0 more
3rd Movie: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) [Sergio Leone]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 0 more
Although it was not Sergio Leone's intention for these three movies to be called a trilogy, United Artists has labeled them as such and thus, we get my fourth favorite trilogy of all time. Due to Leone's intention to create three stand alone films, the stories do not intertwine like the other trilogies on my list. However, there are three important factors that do connect all three movies and the concept of the 'trilogy' applies to this series as a result. The first factor is Clint Eastwood. His appearance and mannerisms are constant throughout all three films. This trilogy is sometimes called "The Man with No Name" trilogy due to Eastwood's character (albeit he does have nicknames in all three movies). His gritty acting and quiet confidence comes across as one the coolest performances of all time. The viewer always feels like Eastwood is in control and it is almost awe-inspiring to see how the character handles each adversity in his journeys. The second factor is Sergio Leone. He helped write all three and directed all three as well. His style basically invents the Spaghetti Western in the mid-1960s. All three are shot with similar cinematography (although the third has the best by far). They are all shot in 2.35 : 1 aspect ratio, which is widescreen. This helps fit in the arid, bright desert that appears in the backdrop of nearly every scene. Another unique thing about Leone's Spaghetti Westerns is that all audio is edited into the film post-production. This includes dialogue so the audio does not always match the actors' lips perfectly. It is this strange quirk that gives the movie even more charm. The third factor that connects these three pictures is Ennio Morricone. He scores all three and his score is fantastic. The whistling, choruses, guitars, and harmonicas came to symbolize the Western genre. It is easy to get pumped when listening to these pieces on their own and they contribute the perfect amount of atmosphere to each film. Like I stated previously, the stories are not connected in strong ways. People try to look for hints at how they are, but the films really do stand on their own. A Fistful of Dollars (1964) takes place in only one town and it sets up the Eastwood character perfectly. For a Few Dollars More (1965) is a bit more ambitious as Eastwood travels outside of one setting. Lee Van Cleef gets his introduction in the trilogy in this middle movie and he is as amazing as his performance in the third. The story is somewhat similar to the next one, but is still meant to be its own thing. The final chapter in the trilogy is actually a prequel. Perhaps Leone must have had some idea that these three were connected because The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) shows how Eastwood acquires his famous poncho. Van Cleef, just like the second movie, is another great gritty cowboy. The comic relief in Eli Wallach is used just the right amount and gives the viewer breaks in between the action scenes. The story is an epic, with the film coming in at 161 minutes, but it feels like it only lasts an hour due to the wonderful pacing and entertaining situations. One feels like he has really been on a journey by the conclusion of the movie as we travel through the West during the Civil War and get a snapshot of what life was like during this era. It truly is one of the best movies of all time and I have it as my fifth favorite movie of all time. All three movies are in the IMDb Top 250, but the third takes the cake, coming in at number eight.
Overall, the third movie is the epitome of the Spaghetti Western, a genre invented with this trilogy. The gritty atmosphere, post-produced audio, and unique cinematography give these films something to hang its cowboy hat on. I love watching these during the winter due to all of the desert backdrops. Perhaps these are so good, the heat of the desert diffuses from television to living room.
My favorite of the three: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Overall, the third movie is the epitome of the Spaghetti Western, a genre invented with this trilogy. The gritty atmosphere, post-produced audio, and unique cinematography give these films something to hang its cowboy hat on. I love watching these during the winter due to all of the desert backdrops. Perhaps these are so good, the heat of the desert diffuses from television to living room.
My favorite of the three: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
3. Original Star Wars Trilogy
1st Movie: Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) [George Lucas]
Won 6 Oscars (Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects, Best Original Score) / Nominated for 4 more (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor)
2nd Movie: Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) [Irvin Kershner]
Won 1 Oscar (Best Sound) / Nominated for 2 more (Best Art Direction, Best Original Score)
3rd Movie: Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) [Richard Marquand]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 4 more (Best Art Direction, Best Sound, Best Sound Editing, Best Original Score)
1st Movie: Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) [George Lucas]
Won 6 Oscars (Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects, Best Original Score) / Nominated for 4 more (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor)
2nd Movie: Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) [Irvin Kershner]
Won 1 Oscar (Best Sound) / Nominated for 2 more (Best Art Direction, Best Original Score)
3rd Movie: Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) [Richard Marquand]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 4 more (Best Art Direction, Best Sound, Best Sound Editing, Best Original Score)
If you have read what my favorite space films of all time are, there should be no surprise that Star Wars ranks among my favorite trilogies. The cohesion of all three movies is astounding, especially considering the fact that George Lucas only directed the original film. He gave way to two other directors for the two sequels, yet they each have that same Star Wars feel. Elements that transition to this "feel" that are present in each of the movies include the quirky transitions between scenes, the incredible score by John Williams, interesting characters, the amazing effects used by miniatures and sound editing, and the variety of locations that the epic plot takes place in. Like I stated previously, I good trilogy follows the classic three act plot structure not only in each film, but overall among the films as well. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) is a great first act. It establishes the multitude of characters in unforgettable environments like the desert of Tatooine and the desolation of space. Although it is odd, the focus on the droids is a great point of view that is also established in the first film. The story is really seen from the viewpoint of C-3PO and R2-D2, which is totally unexpected but really neat. The music of John Williams is also introduced and it is easy to be impressed by the main theme, the closing sequence, and everything in between. What is considered the best film of the series by many, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) follows the story of the original and greatly improves on the established Star Wars formula. The stakes are higher and the villainy by Darth Vader and his master is fleshed out more in depth. The contrasting environments of the icy planet of Hoth and the gaseous locale of Cloud City gives the movie a sweeping epic feel to it. Love and family is also explored which results in a deeper connection with the characters. In the duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, the reveal that Luke is the antagonist's son becomes one of the most quoted and famous sequences in film history. The visual effects and music continues to impress and nothing is held back in what is considered the high point of the trilogy. The final film in the original trilogy is Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983). Plot points are wrapped up very well and there is a feeling of closure during the final celebratory scene. The simultaneous battles toward the end of the film make for some very entertaining action sequences. The exposition of the last two films and the first half of the third gives the viewer a strong connection with the ramifications of these battles. Like I stated before, these three pictures are interconnected beautifully not only in filming style but in writing as well. The conclusion to the trilogy is a near perfect way to end my third favorite three-parter of all time.
Overall, the second film is considered the best. All of the elements previously mentioned such as the music, the effects, the relationships of the characters, and the engrossing story line are all top notch in the middle movie. These movies will always hold a special place in my heart as I grew up watching them in the special edition VHS boxed set from the '90s.
My favorite of the three: Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
Overall, the second film is considered the best. All of the elements previously mentioned such as the music, the effects, the relationships of the characters, and the engrossing story line are all top notch in the middle movie. These movies will always hold a special place in my heart as I grew up watching them in the special edition VHS boxed set from the '90s.
My favorite of the three: Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
2. Back to the Future Trilogy
1st Movie: Back to the Future (1985) [Robert Zemeckis]
Won 1 Oscar (Best Sound Editing) / Nominated for 3 more (Best Original Screenplay, Best Sound, Best Song ["The Power of Love"])
2nd Movie: Back to the Future Part II (1989) [Robert Zemeckis]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 1 more (Best Visual Effects)
3rd Movie: Back to the Future Part III [Robert Zemeckis]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 0 more
1st Movie: Back to the Future (1985) [Robert Zemeckis]
Won 1 Oscar (Best Sound Editing) / Nominated for 3 more (Best Original Screenplay, Best Sound, Best Song ["The Power of Love"])
2nd Movie: Back to the Future Part II (1989) [Robert Zemeckis]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 1 more (Best Visual Effects)
3rd Movie: Back to the Future Part III [Robert Zemeckis]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 0 more
The most difficult decision on this list involved the number one and two spots. It was fairly easy to slot the above three selections at numbers five through three but the dilemma came between Back to the Future and Toy Story. Both have excellent cohesion among the three films and both include solid films for all three of its representatives of their respective trilogies. The number two selection contains my favorite movie of all time and the number one contains numbers eight and twenty one. So was my favorite movie of all time enough to get its trilogy as my favorite? Obviously not but this particular trilogy is very near and dear to me. I can recall watching all three films over and over again as a child and watching them now gives me as much enjoyment as it did back then. I absolutely adore every aspect of these films. The original soundtrack is phenomenal. Alan Silvestri, in his familiar role as composer for a Robert Zemeckis film, turns out one of the most iconic themes in all of movies. Hearing it throughout the course of all three films still gives me chills. The acting is also outstanding. Michael J. Fox is a perfect Marty McFly as he reacts to every thing around him and has great interactions between Christopher Lloyd, Thomas Wilson, Lea Thompson, and Crispin Glover. Lloyd is a wonderful Doc, with his zany mannerisms and sayings. My favorite part of the trilogy is the story. Each film is deeply connected to each other and it is a treat to see the same events happening in different time periods throughout all three movies. These moments include great sequences such as the skateboard chase scene and the scene when Marty wakes up in a dark room with Thompson's character. I also love anything with time travel. Seeing the same place over and over again in different time periods makes it fun to see how things change over time. The unique aspect of having an unwilling time traveler as the protagonist positively impacts the plot. Most time travel stories involve someone who wants, and therefore attempts, to time travel. Marty McFly accidentally is sent into the past in the opening act of the first film. This creates time paradoxes that are easy to understand and makes the viewer anxious to see the resolution of the story. The variety of story is also present. The first film can be classified as an adventure, sci-fi, comedy, teen, and romance movie. The second one is similar to that except the teen and romance plays less of a role and the sci-fi plays more of a role as we see the creators' vision of the future (which is coincidentally the very year I am writing this). The third movie delves into Doc Brown's favorite genre, the Western. It's not as gritty as, say, the Dollars Trilogy, but it is a solid Western on its own merits.
Overall, the first film is considered the best of the bunch. It is also my favorite movie of all time. The score and acting are top tier but the story is what sets it apart as one of the greatest trilogies of all time. All three films are so intertwined, it can almost be viewed as one long movie.
My favorite of the three: Back to the Future
Overall, the first film is considered the best of the bunch. It is also my favorite movie of all time. The score and acting are top tier but the story is what sets it apart as one of the greatest trilogies of all time. All three films are so intertwined, it can almost be viewed as one long movie.
My favorite of the three: Back to the Future
1. Toy Story Trilogy
1st Movie: Toy Story (1995) [John Lasseter]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 3 more (Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Original Song ["You've Got a Friend in Me"])
2nd Movie: Toy Story 2 (1999) [John Lasseter, Ash Brannon, Lee Unkrich]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 1 more (Best Original Song ["When She Loved Me"])
3rd Movie: Toy Story 3 (2010) [Lee Unkrich]
Won 2 Oscars (Best Animated Film, Best Original Song ["We Belong Together"]) / Nominated for 3 more (Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound Editing)
1st Movie: Toy Story (1995) [John Lasseter]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 3 more (Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Original Song ["You've Got a Friend in Me"])
2nd Movie: Toy Story 2 (1999) [John Lasseter, Ash Brannon, Lee Unkrich]
Won 0 Oscars / Nominated for 1 more (Best Original Song ["When She Loved Me"])
3rd Movie: Toy Story 3 (2010) [Lee Unkrich]
Won 2 Oscars (Best Animated Film, Best Original Song ["We Belong Together"]) / Nominated for 3 more (Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound Editing)
As I stated above, it was very difficult to decide which trilogy is considered my favorite of all time. Do I go with the one that has my favorite movie of all time or the one that I think is better throughout the entire span of the trilogy? I go with the body of work here, as I think the Toy Story trilogy tops all other trilogies in film history. The original film, my eighth favorite of all time, is one of the most revolutionary films of all time. It is considered the first entirely computer animated movie, and it doesn't show any growing pains. The animation is superb throughout the entire feature and it looks just as good today as it did in 1995. It's success launched one of my favorite film studios, Pixar, into the upper echelons of entertainment. Dreamworks followed suit not long after, and it is enjoyable to see the competition between the two year after year. Although I think Pixar has hit a lull (at least before the release of the superb Inside Out (2015)), it usually beats out Dreamworks on an annual basis. Not only is the animation excellent in the original movie, so is the music. In the summary above, you can see that it was nominated for both the score and the song, "You've Got a Friend in Me," which got edged out by "Colors of the Wind" from Pocahontas (1995). Each film in this trilogy has a nomination for Best Original Song, which demonstrates the admirable decision to bring in Randy Newman to compose and sing most of the music in the trilogy. He has a very distinct style to his songs and it gives the trilogy a unique sound. The continuity he exhibits in his unusual score also gives the trilogy a unique sound. The music is different and it works 100% of the time. The original movie also establishes a couple of the most recognized characters int he world in Woody and Buzz. Being able to get Tom Hanks as a voice actor gave the film even more credibility as Hanks was one of the hottest actors on the block in the mid-1990's. The banter between Hanks and Tim Allen is entertaining, hilarious, and endearing. The first picture is a great buddy film and the repartee of the two actors makes it happen. The second film is usually considered the weakest of the three. I tend to agree, but it is still a very solid movie. We get the backstory of Woody as a toy as well as some new characters in Jessie and Bullseye the horse. The theme of what happens to toys when a child grows out of them is also touched upon and gets fully fleshed out in the opening act of third film. Some may consider the third to be the best. It was truly a phenomenon when it was released in 2010. I was in the perfect age group that was about Andy's age in the film. We see him go off to college in the beginning of the film and 2010 was also my first year of college. I could remember the first two films from my childhood so it was a very nostalgic experience seeing all of the characters onm the screen. I am not afraid to say I shed a tear or two by the conclusion of the film.
Overall, the Toy Story trilogy shows so much emotion. It can be laugh-out-loud funny, a fingernail-biting-thriller, and a bring-your-tissue type of story in all all three flicks. It is a toss up at what is considered better, the original or final film in the trilogy. Needless to say, one cannot go wrong with any three of these movies. They all have A+ animation, magnificent voice acting, delightful music, and marvelous stories with connections the viewer can make in his or her life. Simply put, these are animated masterpieces.
My favorite of the three: Toy Story
Overall, the Toy Story trilogy shows so much emotion. It can be laugh-out-loud funny, a fingernail-biting-thriller, and a bring-your-tissue type of story in all all three flicks. It is a toss up at what is considered better, the original or final film in the trilogy. Needless to say, one cannot go wrong with any three of these movies. They all have A+ animation, magnificent voice acting, delightful music, and marvelous stories with connections the viewer can make in his or her life. Simply put, these are animated masterpieces.
My favorite of the three: Toy Story