My Top 10 Third-Movie Instalments

  The third time’s the charm right … well, that’s not always the case when it comes to third installments in film franchises. Frequently, they get regarded as the worst in a series, or the point when things go down-hill. Personally, while there are certainly some stinkers, I also feel that third instalments often get a bad rap, and by extent, I feel there’s more than enough good to great third movies to balance out the negatives. Just to prove the point, I wanted to count down my own personal top 10 favorite third-movie instalments in franchises. Just a reminder, I’ not trying to make any official statement … I’m just counting down some of my all-time favorite sequels … which just happen to be third instalments.

#10 “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” (2019)

From 2010 all the way through 2019, the “How to Train Your Dragon” series has been one of my most cherished long running franchises of the decade, … which has expanded through sequels, shorts, TV shows, and now it all comes to a close with a deeply fulfilling final chapter. While I’d put “The Hidden World” just underneath it’s two predecessors, it was still unmistakably a powerful, beautifully animated, and largely entertaining swan song for the series. It was one of those special movie going experiences that felt like an event, as if I completed a journey that began nearly ten years ago, and now we have a truly great trilogy for a modern age … along with “Star Wars” and “Lord of the Rings”, I think “How to Train Your Dragon” can now be categorized as one of the great movie trilogies.

#9 “Captain America: Civil War” (2016)

I admit, I was on the fence if this film really counted, because it's labeled as a third in the "Captain America" film series, it never really felt like chapter 3 of his stand-alone adventures ... especially when there are so many other superhero's present. 

Still, it is third film in a series, and a great one that deserves mention. Once again, the Avengers assemble … only to disassemble! This is what you call a truly "great" Superhero movie, as it abandons the common hero movie formula, and cliched super villains for a real down to earth story that's laird with subtext, moral debates, conflicting rivals between close friends … yet, it still allows the audience to have fun, thanks to some well-placed comedy, and striking visuals. Throw in some welcome new comers, including the long-awaited appearance of Spider-Man, and one of the most epic hero brawls ever featured on film, and "Civil War" stands as a benchmark among comic book movies! 

 #8 “Logan” (2017)

When it came to Wolverine’s solo film series, things seemed to be in reverse, as it started rough, then got better, and concluded with the best received instalment, even receiving an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. 

This was the Wolverine film we fans were waiting for … while brutally violent, depressing, and some-what inconsistent in pacing, it was still a poignant, powerfully acted send-off for Jackman in his final role as the iconic hero. It's also a deeply thrilling introduction to X-23, making this a satisfying, and strong entry in the series. I know most fans would rank this film higher … like one of the top three best, but this is one case in which, I just need to be in the right mind-set to watch and appreciate it. Otherwise, this film drains me with its brooding nature, but still … I know a good movie when I see one, and this is easily one of Wolverines most dignified ventures, securing his place as a respected icon of the comic-book genera.

 

#7 “Goldfinger” (1964)

People often associate Sean Connery as the absolute best actor to play James Bond, and while I certainly wouldn’t call him my personal favorite, he is unmistakably the most iconic. 

No-one else is quiet as sly, witty and charming as him. Admittedly, I never cared for Sean Connery’s overall film series, as I honestly find them to be boring and dated … all with the exception of some select films. “Goldfinger” in particular absolutely deserves its status as one of the franchises greatest, and it absolutely is “the classic” 007 movie that brought all of his famous trademarks, and phrases to the screen. This is the one that exploited all of his fancy gadgets, this is the one with the most memorable imagery (like the naked gold girl on the bed), this is the film that Bound coined his famous line “A Martini, Shaken, not stirred”, and this is the film with the all-around most famous leading villain … as well as an equally memorable supporting villain. Even though “Dr. No” was the first Bond film, I feel that this one will last till the end of time as a great classic in film history. Having said that, there are still three others that I personally enjoy more.

 

#6 “Toy Story 3” (2010)

Right next to the “How to Train Your Dragon” franchise, the "Toy Story" series is likewise one of my all-time favorites, and the original three fit quiet comfortably among my top five favorites of Pixar offerings. “Toy Story 3” is another rare third installment that was nominated for Best Picture, but really works, and it’s a perfect ending to a classic series of films. The story is darker, the adventure edgier, yet the comedy is some of the funniest I’ve seen from any Pixar movie, and the emotional highlights … boy, get those tissue boxes ready. I felt this film took all the dramatic content I admired from the previous “Up”, but gave me the right balance of fun, excitement, and a great feeling of closure to a great series. Our lovable cast of characters come full circle. The villain is intimidating, while also sympathetic. It’s a sequel that took me right back to my childhood love for the first two, and is just another solid entry into the Pixar cannon.  

 

#5 “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021)

It’s the third Marvel to make my list, and it’s the epic conclusion of Tom Hollands “Spider-Man: Home” trilogy … and subsequently one of the web-heads greatest films without question. 

More than just a conclusion, it was a live-action event crossing over with previous Spider-Man franchises, and with that, we get the novelty of seeing actors reprise their iconic roles, as well as interact with one another … and I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming, because this was material, I never thought I’d see on screen. While unmistakably an outlandish comic book plot, it’s also sustained with the same beating heart and soul that’s made Spider-Man one of my favorite hero’s. It's got the spectacle, it’s got the nostalgia, it’s got the heart, it’s got the adrenaline, it’s got the emotional character ties, and it’s got satisfying closure for several character arcs across three different Spider-Man franchises. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” has a secure spot among my favorite comic-book movies

#4 “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2003)

It was already something of a rare anomaly to see a sequel win Best Picture, but on top of that, this marked the very first Fantasy Epic to win the gold prize. 

For a genera that’s commonly associated with B-list entertainment, this marked a special event when both audiences and critics were seeing eye-to-eye. I personally liked this movie when it first came out back in 2004, but it was admittedly the one I liked the least of the original trilogy. However, over the years, not only have I come around to loving this film, but I’ve really come to view it was one of the most important movie sequels ever made. It proved that third times the charm, and an already mighty franchise can have a near-flawless sendoff … which has proven increasingly more difficult with other big trilogies that have come in the wake of “Lord of the Rings”. All these years later, this film still feels epic, and features some of the most stunning action the genera have to offer. Visually breathtaking and emotionally powerful, "The Return of the King" remains a moving experience, and a satisfying conclusion to a classic movie trilogy!

 

#3 “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018)

Whether you’re a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe or not, there’s no denying that it’s one of the most colossal, expanded franchises ever to hit the theater, and “Infinity War” was the highly anticipated event that several prior films have been building up to. 

I’m thankful to say that the wait was worth it, as this sequel surpassed my expectations, and in my view is one of the absolute best of the series … like top 3 easily … actually, it might just be my new #1 favorite. With the largest roll-call of hero's thus far, and an all-out war taking place in several locations, we fans knew this was going to be a spectacle, but there's thankfully so much more to the experience than just the spectacle. Our favorite hero’s felt more vulnerable, and subsequently more human than most previous films. There were also several genuine surprises along the way, and considering this franchises line up, it’s challenging to get surprised. All-around, “Infinity War” was a mega Superhero sensation in every respect of the word, with the highest stakes yet, the grandest ensemble cast, hilarious team interplay, large scale battles, emotional character drama, and a villain to be remembered through the ages.

 

 #2 “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” (1983)

I wouldn’t be surprised if anyone had a film from the original “Star Wars” trilogy amongst their favorite movies, and for me, “Return of the Jedi” will always stand as my personal favorite. 

It’s the perfect conclusion to a great string of movies and a rare third installment that’s superior to its predecessors. Not only is it a very entertaining Sci-Fi adventure, with amazing battles both on land and in space, but this is the one with the most heart, and conflict. It’s the father/ son relation that makes this film so much more powerful and memorable then the first two. Neither Luke nor Vader are turning away from what they view is right but beneath it all, they just want to be a family again. The final battle between the two carries so much emotion that it goes beyond a thrilling fight between good and evil. “Return of the Jedi” is a thrilling Sci-Fi adventure with great characters, lots of action and plenty of stirring human emotion at the center.  

 

Before I reveal my Number One Favorite, here are some Honorable Mentions …

“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”

“War for the Planet of the Apes”

“National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation”

“Thor Ragnarok”

“Star Trek Beyond”

 

#1 “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989)

   Here it is, my favorite third-movie instalment, and by extent by favorite movie sequel. While “Raiders” is obviously the original classic that broke new ground, “The Last Crusade” is that rare sequel that I feel can stand on equal ground with the first as a motion picture masterpiece, and in my personal opinion is just a hair better. 

For me, this is it, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” is hands down my favorite in all of adventure cinema, and is personally one of my all-time favorite movies … quite honestly, I’d put it in my top three. It takes the basic outline of a treasure hunt and transcends it into an epic quest to find one of the most holly artifacts in history, and protect it from an army of evil. Beyond that, it’s an engaging story about a broken family coming closer together through a series of challenges. Harrison Forde and Sean Connery make for one of my favorite on-screen pairings ever, and make for one of the most dynamic father/son relationships I’ve ever seen. The movie balances incredible action with a healthy sense of humor, welcome surprises around every corner, and even a fair amount of moral substance. It’s plain and simply one of the greatest of its kind, and will likely remain as my favorite adventure movie of all time.

  

Thanks for reading my countdown … and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!

   

Godzilla vs Kong (2021) (Movie Review)

  Back when I was just a kid, I loved me some giant monsters, and admittedly I still do even as an adult. Of course, Godzilla was my biggest idled childhood monster, with King Kong being a respectable favorite, and for the longest time, I always wanted to see the two most famous movie titans clash in a modern blockbuster. I certainly have fondness reserved for the goofy 1960’s “King Kong vs Godzilla”, and yet … ever sense I was about seven years old, I always dreamt of seeing Godzilla and King Kong, with bigger budget special effects, and the best action that contemporary blockbusters could offer. Well, my childhood dream finally came true in 2021 with “Godzilla vs Kong”. This marked the fourth instalment in “Legendary Pictures” shared monster universe, and acts as a sequel to 2017’s “Kong: Skull Island”, as well as 2019’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters”. Needless to say … this crossover gave me everything I wanted … then it gave me more … and then it gave me things I wasn’t even expecting. Safe to say, that seven-year-old boy that still resides inside me was giddy from head to toe.

  After saving the Earth from a number of deadly monsters, Godzilla seems to have finally snapped, and is going on a deadly rampage. This comes much to the dismay of the young teenager Madison, who along with her dad, was rescued by Godzilla in the previous film. Thus, she sets off on a mission with a small team, to discover what’s stirring the giant monster’s rage. Suspect number one is a mysterious organization called Apex Cybernetics, who might just be harboring a secret weapon to use against the monsters. Meanwhile, the giant ape King Kong fears that he’s being hunted by Godzilla, sets-off on a journey to find a new home, and maybe discover the place of his origins. His journey leads him to Hollow Earth, which is apparently where all of Earths giant monsters originated from, and holds a power-source that can rival any man-made technology. However, no-matter how deep King Kong travels, all roads will lead to a match-up with his long-standing cinematic rival ... Godzilla.

  While my favorite giant lizard gets top-billing, this is unmistakably King Kong’s movie, arguably the most screen-time he’s ever gotten, and he really feels like a character, as opposed to just another giant monster or special effect. I love that we’re introduced to him as just another day in the life, getting out of bed, giving himself a shower, all set to a pop song, and honestly bringing to mind the opening from “Shrek” … but it really works in making Kong feel like an individual, as opposed to a giant beast. 

Naturally, he’s CGI, but brought to life with a lot of personality, mannerism, intimidation, and even a reserved sense of emotion. His journey into Hollow Earth is certainly an outlandish one for him, but for me is very welcome, as I’ve seen so many King Kong movies repeat the same formulas in the same settings … so I was more than ready to see Kong out of his element, and into new territory. Also, the setting of Hollow Earth is effectively wonderous, vast in scope, and just opens the door for new possibilities in this universe. I also love this moment when Kong defeats a flying serpent, and then drinks out of its head, almost like he’s giving himself a toast. The visual design for this Hollow Earth is familiar, but still quite effective, and looks great overall, as do the creatures. While the film wasn’t nominated at the Oscars for Best Special Effects, but was still noted on their list, and just didn’t quite make it.    

  At the heart of the film is a subtle relation between Kong and a little deaf girl named Jia, who’s the last surviving decedent of the natives from Skull Island. 

She’s indebted to the mighty King after he saved her in a storm, and are even able to communicate with each other, which is great … I love that we’re finally seeing Kong open a dialog of sorts with a human character. The two have a very sweet connection, and it’s nice to just see Kong in a simple, yet humble friendship with a girl, as opposed to whisking one away through some kind of romantic connection. The young Kaylee Hottle plays Jia, and really is a deaf actress, but she effectively conveys all the right emotions and charms that make her a meaningful screen presence to balance out the monsters. The remaining human characters all do their parts without over-stepping their bonds, and while no-one else really leaves an impression, their at least played well by a committed cast. Rebecca Hall plays a doctor who watches over Kong, as well as parents the little girl Jia, and the two likewise have a convincing chemistry. Millie Bobby Brown is also given more to do in her role as Madison, and it’s easy to follow the character on her journey with her new team of friends.

  Even Godzilla has more personality on display then he’s had in any of the previous American films, which is a welcome return to his classic rubber suited days. He’s still brought to life trough modern CGI, and looks really good overall, but it’s that extra touch of personality that makes him feel real to me. I like that he has an almost twisted smile in some shots, and I love that he and Kong get in each other’s faces, as a means to intimidate one another. The biggest surprise of all is a moment when Godzilla chuckles, which is great, as it once again emphasizes that he’s a character first, and a giant monster second. In a more serious Godzilla movie, this would have been off-putting, but this movie is all for fun, and when that’s the established tone, I want Godzilla to reflect that.   

  Of course, the big draw to this film is seeing Godzilla and King Kong rematch, with contemporary visuals, spectacle and energy on display. Naturally, the film more than satisfied my expectations. While the original film built-up to one big brawl between the two, this movie breaks-up their clashes over the course of the film, which is very welcome, and keeps the momentum going. Thankfully, this movie wasn’t afraid to feature the monsters battling in the bright day time, which is a huge improvement over the previous films, which set their battles in dark, murky and relentlessly rainy settings. King Kong ad Godzilla’s first match is out in the ocean, both above and below the water line, which is a welcome change-up. Their second battle is at night in the neon-lit Hong Kong, which is kind of a call back to “Pacific Rim”, but it still looked great, and I really liked the addition of Kong using his own make-shift weapon against Godzilla.

  Once the two monsters get their kicks in, the real finale takes shape when an unexpected third party joins the action. It’s revealed that the bad guys set-up Kong’s journey into Hollow Earth as a means to harness an energy source, one that can power their mysterious superweapon … which turns out to be none other then the giant Mechagodzilla ... who's personally my favorite of Godzilla's main rouges. 

It’s also revealed that Mechagodzilla is controlled by the severed head of Godzilla’s arch foe King Ghidorah, which takes mental control over the mechanized monster, and set’s out on a rampage outside of the bad guys control. This makes for another rare treat in which Godzilla’s two greatest, and long-standing enemies, King Ghidorah and Mechagodzilla have come together as one entity ... as a long-time fan, this is immensely satisfying. Also, the only thing more satisfying than seeing Godzilla and King Kong battle is seeing them work together to defeat an even greater enemy. On that note, their final three-way battle is absolutely smashing, and it’s awesome just to see Kong matching another opponent from the Godzilla franchise. The final shot of Godzilla and King Kong and their "peace-out" exchange is another satisfying moment of the two excepting one-another as equals, and suggests that maybe there’s now a reserved friendship between the two.   

  In the end, you have to go into this movie expecting giant monsters, over the top battles, and insane plots involving hidden worlds, and other marvels. If that sounds like fun, then you’ll have a ball with this movie … if none of that appeals to you, then it’s probably not going to convert you into a fan. As for me … I thought this film was a blast! 

Not only do the monster battles thrill, as well as shot beautifully, but the film also delivers an enjoyably outlandish premise with its journey to Hollow Earth, all it’s imaginative wonders, atmospheres, and designs to behold. The humans obviously aren’t very interesting, but I was still able to cost on the committed performances, as well as a genuinely heartfelt connection between Kong and the little girl. Throw in a deeply satisfying final battle with Godzilla, King Kong, and the surprise return of my favorite of the big-G’s foes Mechagodzilla … and what more could a long-time viewer of both character franchises ask for. It’s obviously nothing deep, meaningful, and it’s admittedly ridiculous on every level … but that’s always been the appeal of the franchise, and while I wouldn’t call it the absolute best of either series, I still found this to be the most fun entry overall of these two franchises to date.

Thanks for reading my review of the 2021 crossover “Godzilla vs Kong” … and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!