3rd films in trilogies (or more) as good as 1st?

BlitzKrieg

Aha!!!


You get the usual sequels as good as the original threads where the usual godfather 2, aliens and empire get rolled out and its a fine enough topic (but a bit overdone)

but here's a challange.

Skip the second film in a series and find one in a series that is as good as the first (if even rarer..better then the original.)

Came to this notion when I put Ice Age 3 on last night with intent of just skipping to simon pegg's *pineapple* line and a few other chuckle scenes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYDyRVdmCuo

But ended up watching the whole film again and came to the conclusion that it is my favourite of the three ice age films and is as good and imo better then the first.


Couldnt think of any other film series where the third film is the best though.

TiGeR KiNgS

BlitzKrieg wrote: »

Couldnt think of any other film series where the third film is the best though.

nor should you

My theory being the first film is bold fresh with a unique twist that inspires a further 2 films, by the 3rd film this twist is stale & old and Hollywood have sunk there claws in to leach every penny taking shortcuts in key areas because they know there wont be a forth and it can simply live off the name of the first film. (and if there is this a 4th, ''God forbid'',it should almost never be watched by a mentally sound individual of there own free will.)

I call this theory 'The Greed Effect' a wonderful little theory that has earned Hollywood billions.

(Although Pixar as OP has said may have broken this theory)

KeithM89_old

The bourne ultimatum oviously :rolleyes:

baby and crumble

TiGeR KiNgS wrote:

(Although Pixar as OP has said may have broken this theory)

Ice Age isn't Pixar...

But talking about Pixar, I do think TS3 is as good as Toy Story. Not better, perhaps, but certainly as good.

TiGeR KiNgS

zoegh wrote: »

Ice Age isn't Pixar...

But talking about Pixar, I do think TS3 is as good as Toy Story. Not better, perhaps, but certainly as good.

Doh, but I was actually thinking of Toy Story 3 as I havent seen the Ice Age trilogy.

Duggy747

Hmm, good question.

One that comes to mind is Lord Of The Rings - The Return Of The King. I prefer it over The Two Towers though that may be due to the fact that Channel 4 incessantly showed that one over & over & over & over again on TV.

While the ending drags a small bit (in fairness, though, a trilogy this epic couldn't have been wrapped up quickly. Regardless of whether it followed the book or not.) and Frodo giving that creepy smile as he goes on the boat still cracks me up.

Also The Matrix - Revolutions.............mu-ha...........ah ha ha.............ma-ha ha hahahahahaha, nah I'm kidding, that was a pile of shìt!

BlitzKrieg

Also The Matrix - Revolutions.............mu-ha...........ah ha ha.............ma-ha ha hahahahahaha, nah I'm kidding, that was a pile of shìt!

better then reloaded though

civildefence

Die Hard with a Vengeance was a good example.

Mackman

Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade if far better than Temple of Doom IMO. Apart from the heart ripping out stuff, Temple of Doom is too much of a kids movie.

I dont know if Last crusade is better than Raiders, but its definatly as good

BlitzKrieg

die hard with a vengence is a great pick, absolutely terrific film that was way ahead of the 2nd one...though just a smidgen behind the first.

and last crusade is another good pick.

krudler

National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, way better than European :P
Revenge of the Sith (if we're counting the 6 SW movies as two seperate trilogies)

Brendog

Pirates of the Caribbean 3...

Toy Story 3...

hidinginthebush

krudler wrote: »

National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, way better than European :P
Revenge of the Sith (if we're counting the 6 SW movies as two seperate trilogies)

But there's more tits in the European one

Basq

Brendog wrote: »

Pirates of the Caribbean 3...

Liked the first two PotC films.. but thought the third was unwatchable!

Brendog wrote: »

Toy Story 3...

Yep, spot on!

Thought the 3rd film was marginally better than the 2nd.. and equally as good as the 1st.

civil_defence wrote:

Die Hard with a Vengeance was a good example.

Agreed.. a fantastic film. And the chemistry between Willis and Jackson is fantastic!

Much MUCH better than the 2nd film.

jaykhunter

BlitzKrieg wrote: »

better then reloaded though

M3 had that awful love triangle, the train man BS, a punked out Merovingian and that horrible loud last stand in Zion (with GI Jane) not to mention the baby-face....awful! Sure all the plot (and the spooge-worthy Burly Brawl) was in Matrix 2 :pac:

“The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” is the third movie in Sergio Leone's Man With No Name Trilogy and actually can be seen as the best of the three.

Potter fans might say Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

krudler

Mission Impossible 3, miles ahead of the terrible 2nd one, as good as the first without being so convoluted. I actually think its one of the most underrated blockbusters of recent years, its fun, Philip Seymour Hoffman is a fantastic,credible villain and the scene on the bridge is brilliant.

johnny_ultimate

I'll +1 the last two posts. Mission Impossible 3 had the Abrams edge that propelled it far and above the first two. The first one had fun scenes but the plot was far too convoluted on occasion (loved it as a kid, though). MI2 was a case of John Woo trying to hard to shoehorn in his trademarks - the Dove scene springs to mind. Also, it was kind of dull. MI3 though is an underrated gem, one of the most entertaining action films of recent times - a pleasant change from the usual plot with a domesticated Hunt, a superb villain in Hoffman, and the delightful Michelle Monaghan. I await MI4 under the direction of Brad Bird (!).

The Good the Bad and the Ugly is another fine example. I have a soft spot for For a Few Dollars More, but the GTBATU is a masterful conclusion, definitely on a par and quite often surpassing the two that preceded it. Feels like Leone's last, epic word on the Man with No Name.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is a perfect example too. It dramatically improves on the two by the numbers films that Chris Colombus churned out prior to it. It is the first one that feels like a film as opposed to a 'best-of' visualisation of the books. It also has Alfonso Cauron's fantastic direction. The fourth and the fifth were good, too, and superior to the first two, although felt a bit less remarkable than the third. The sixth was a significant improvement though, and while not quite up to the standards of Azkaban - mainly because of the source material - it was confidently directed and felt truly 'dark', to use a current buzzword. I am actually rather excited for the seventh, considering David Yates has managed to find a stylistic sweet spot for the series.

Plus, there are the usual solidly rounded trilogies. One of my favourite - Three Colours trilogy - definitely has a strong third entry with Three Colours Red, have really been meaning to give those films another watch.

MrSir

Channel 4's Red Riding Trilogy is brilliant all the films are as good as each other if I was recommending trilogies this one would instantly spring to mind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx5rqw9tXB8

Teferi

Back to the Future 3 would be up there with the first, I think. Perhaps not as good but not too far away either. It probably helped that the 2nd and 3rd were filmed at the same time.

Regarding the Harry Potter series, I honestly think they are muck. As a huge fan of the books, I have never left the cinema feeling satisfied when the credits roll. The shaky acting (Radcliffe being one of the biggest offenders)and the cut up story line never do it for me. Oldmans portrayal of Sirius is probably the best thing about the series while Michael Gambon's Dumbledore is,for me, the worst thing about any of the movies. I hate watching his scenes. He is just terrible.

jaykhunter

Teferi wrote: »

Back to the Future 3 would be up there with the first, I think. Perhaps not as good but not too far away either. It probably helped that the 2nd and 3rd were filmed at the same time.

That's pretty cool that you love the 3rd as much as the first but i think you're in the sharp minority. I find the pg-take on western era much less charming than the pg take on 80s/50s/10s, Clara annoys me as well lol. I didn't laugh out loud as much and i guess the staples (eg this is heavy/great scott/biff being covered in manure) are slightly laboured by the third movie.

That said i've grown to like it much more than i did when i first saw it, and has some very memorable moments.

Regarding the Harry Potter series, I honestly think they are muck.

So the 3rd is just as the 1st :pac::pac:

Teferi

That's strange, I thought that BttF3 was generally well recieved

jaykhunter

Teferi wrote: »

That's strange, I thought that BttF3 was generally well recieved

i always thought it went 1 > 2 >> 3. But sure #2 is my favourite but most people (I thought) regard it as inferior to the original.

There's not much between the scores of 2 & 3 on IMDB, and not listed on metacritic. Then again they listed Terminator 2 as "69%" (even though users rated it 9.5/10) so meh it's all opinion.

syklops

Well Star Wars Episode 3 was by far the best of the 3, therefore is as good as the 1st(which was sh1te). Midiclorians, jar Jar binks, Anakin having a thick american accent. Jesus wept.

Does it count?

X-men 3 was in my opinion as good as the first.

Also Star Trek 3: The search for Spock far surpassed Star Trek the Motion Picture(But neither were as good as the Wrath of Khan)

jaykhunter

syklops wrote: »

X-men 3 was in my opinion as good as the first.

When watching these films again (#2 is my fav) I was disappointed more with #1 and felt better about #3 (which I initially didn't like much) so i think it should definitely be added.

syklops

jaykhunter wrote: »

When watching these films again (#2 is my fav) I was disappointed more with #1 and felt better about #3 (which I initially didn't like much) so i think it should definitely be added.

1 is definitely the poorest. I didnt like 2 at first, but there are some great scenes in it. Plus the best intro of the 3.

I love the bit with Collossus' skin turning to armour. God I wish i looked like that.

EDIT: Found it on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOF-OXLHMFE

Skerries

The Exorcist was a brilliant iconic horror and then they released a turd fest of a 2nd film, but then redeemed themselves with a 3rd film on a par with the 1st one

ShiverinEskimo

Naked Gun 33⅓ was a laugh.

krudler

Christ how did I forget about the Exorcist III?

Nice to see more M:I III love, I must watch it again actually.

BTTF 3 is my least favourite but its still great, BTTF2 is one of the best sequels ever, its so far ahead of its time (pun intended ) with going back into its own prequel to affects its own sequel, that postmodernism you just cant make up

irish_stevo815

Gotta agree with Die Hard With a Vengeance, it was miles better than the other 2, which was partly due to the pairing of Bruce with Samuel L Jackson, they worked perfectly together. Dont for get Jeremy Irons of course.

But to my main point, i'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet - The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. It is by far my favourite movie trilogy of all time. The progression from Fellowship to The Two Towers to Return of the King was just amazing, with ROTK being by far the better movie, especially the Battle at Pelennor fields, that was truly epic.

lashrlog

Jaw III

ShiverinEskimo

Duggy747 wrote: »

One that comes to mind is Lord Of The Rings - The Return Of The King.

irish_stevo815 wrote: »

But to my main point, i'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet - The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

I was going to say the same but searched the thread first. It's been mentioned alright.

jaykhunter

lashrlog wrote: »

Jaw III

You mean Jaws 3D??

In terms of entertainment value, possibly. That film is so bad it breaks the dial going down through 0 and all the way back up to 10 :pac::pac:

Nostalgia Critic did a hilarious review of it.

johnny_ultimate

irish_stevo815 wrote: »

But to my main point, i'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet - The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. It is by far my favourite movie trilogy of all time. The progression from Fellowship to The Two Towers to Return of the King was just amazing, with ROTK being by far the better movie, especially the Battle at Pelennor fields, that was truly epic.

The first two thirds or so of ROTK are as good and as enjoyable as the films that came before it. But the ending always sours it in my opinion. As is often the case, it can definitely be argued that this comes from the source material. Yet I always thought the ending sequences were overlong and overly sentimental. It also lacks the Scourging of the Shire as a darker moment amongst the endless goodbyes. A great film for sure, but for me anyway the overwrought conclusion always leaves a lightly sour taste in my mouth.

maggy_thatcher

Star Trek III, IV, VI and VIII are (IMHO) substantially better than Star Trek I (II is probably the best though).

The Floyd p

I agree with The good, the bad and the ugly.

Goldfinger :cool:

Nervous Wreck

The Karate Kid III was fantastic. Not quite as good as the first one but a thousand times better than the second, which was a piece of crap.

Keithm89 wrote: »

The bourne ultimatum oviously :rolleyes:

Defo.

mewso

Bit harsh on Die Hard 2 here. I think it remains the best guilty pleasure of all 4. Funny how when Star Wars 1-3 were released each time I convinced myself each one was slightly better than it's predecessor wheras now I think they went from bad to worse.

Looking through the list of trilogies on wikipedia I'll plump for, erm, Quatermass and the Pit.

D-Generate

Predators isn't as good as the Predator but I did think it was marginally better than Predator 2.

Infernal Affairs 3 is also better than the second but not quite as good as the first.

Can't think of any more that haven't been mentioned though.

L'prof

I thought Cube Zero was much better than Hypercube, but not as good as Cube. Cube Zero was a prequel though, does that matter?

jaykhunter

mewso wrote: »

Funny how when Star Wars 1-3 were released each time I convinced myself each one was slightly better than it's predecessor wheras now I think they went from bad to worse.

I've never heard anyone say that before, on or offline. Horses for courses I guess! I would like to know what you liked/didn't like about Eps I-III

syklops

mewso wrote: »

Bit harsh on Die Hard 2 here. I think it remains the best guilty pleasure of all 4. Funny how when Star Wars 1-3 were released each time I convinced myself each one was slightly better than it's predecessor wheras now I think they went from bad to worse.

You honestly think Episode 3 was worse than 1 and 2?

IMO they definitely got better as it went on. Episode One, the only redeeming feature was the Duel between Darth Maul and the 2 Jedi. Episode two did have alot of fluffy romance and Anakin should have been arrogant, but he was so arrogant he came off as annoying, but there were some great battle/fight scenes too.

Episode three was great. Action from the word go, very dark in places, and sad in parts too. Brilliant!

mewso

syklops wrote: »

You honestly think Episode 3 was worse than 1 and 2?

Yes. I think they are all very bad but successfully worse. It's simply a matter of opinion. Over twenty years of wondering how it all began and I get cgi'd out of existence.

syklops

mewso wrote: »

Yes. I think they are all very bad but successfully worse. It's simply a matter of opinion. Over twenty years of wondering how it all began and I get cgi'd out of existence.

I understand your disappointment, and I share it, but ignoring that and the CGI, do you still think that Episode One was better than Episode three?

Please dont think I am getting at you, I am just honestly curious.

mewso

syklops wrote: »

I understand your disappointment, and I share it, but ignoring that and the CGI, do you still think that Episode One was better than Episode three?

Please dont think I am getting at you, I am just honestly curious.

It's hard to be certain really. The third probably has some better moments but possibly loses out for me as being the final ultimate disappointment.

Episode 1 has some truly awful moments like Anakin flying into space and saving the day and all of Jar Jar's moments but Darth Maul was a good villian and the fight was excellent. A poor film but almost watchable.

Episode 2 had Hayden as a truly appalling Anakin coupled with a dreadful love story, cgi Yoda (a crime beyond reason imo), more action than the first but in a misjudged "this would be cool" way more so than a good way. The action is enough to convince fans that it has moved a notch above it's predecessor but it's all just because of pretty colours imo.

Episode 3 finally gets down to the nitty gritty with some better moments like the destruction of the Jedi but still blinds us with even more vacuous action and pretty colours. In the end you think to yourself well that was a step up again because it had that emotional punch and loads more action but on more thought you realise that this was the ultimate let down and you get the terrible "Noooooo!" in the end just to hammer it home.

jaykhunter

from what you saw mew it sounds more like you expected it the sequels to be 'much' better but they didn't reach that, so it was a disappointment and you enjoyed it less?

With using CGI/special effects, the three prequels were equally skuttered with them. I'm sure the only reason (besides raping your memories) for a CGI yoda was the Ep II lightsaber fight; i/the crowd marked out hard when he force-grabbed his lightsabre and turned it on!!

Even in terms of just action anakin v obi wan, wookies on kasykk, opening space battle > arena droids vs grasshopers, yoda vs christopher lee > darth maul, gungans vs grasshopers, child anakin in a ship, capturing the viceroy

if you dismiss 'vacuous action' and 'pretty colours' i'm surprised you liked the prequels at all!! I'm glad someone's enjoying Episode 1!

mewso

jaykhunter wrote: »

I'm glad someone's enjoying Episode 1!

I'll return your patronising with an equally patronising ... I'm glad some folks are still deluding themselves that Episode 3 was superior to the first.

syklops

mewso wrote: »

I'll return your patronising with an equally patronising ... I'm glad some folks are still deluding themselves that Episode 3 was superior to the first.

Nobody is patronising you. Im sorry you have taken it that way. We are all just surprised that someone thought Episode One was better than Three.

As you said yourself we are all entitled to opinion.

If anything jaykhunters comment was disparaging towards George Lucas, in that so few people liked episode One.

krudler

I find Episode 1 to near unwatchable these days, any time I watch the SW movies I just watch the trailer for that and jump straight Episode 2 The much overrated lightsaber fight isnt all that great, its choreographed beyond all emotional impact, you're watching 3 guys who have had basically no interaction with each other for the entire movie fight, for NO reason whatsoever other than to show off the fact that Jedi could do some pretty cool sh1t when they were in their prime. Compare that to the best saber fight, Luke vs Vader in ROTJ, because it has a purpose its a lot more engaging than watching 3 guys backflip around an inexplicably large power station...thing. What in the hell are those red laser gates even for anyway?! is the power station under the palace the most unsafe place in the galaxy to work? i thought the death star had shoddy safety procedures with its zero guardrail policy, but laser gates? sheer drops and massive power grids all over the palce? workmans comp claims must be through the roof on Naboo

JohnDee

Emmanuel IV is pretty good,as are VII and VIII...;)

jaykhunter

mewso wrote: »

I'll return your patronising with an equally patronising

syklops wrote: »

Nobody is patronising you. Im sorry you have taken it that way. We are all just surprised that someone thought Episode One was better than Three. As you said yourself we are all entitled to opinion.

thanks syklops, that's exactly right. I didn't mean it to sound patronising in the slightest (adding smilies would have introduced negative connotations), I do my best on every forum I'm on to be open-minded and non-judgmental (i.e. the opposite of GT forums/Xbox live etc)

I referenced 'vacuous action' and 'pretty colours' because it's something you wrote about episode III, which I find hard to not apply to Ep I and II since they're equally, if not more so, pretty. (Sure Ep I and II have lots of scenes on Naboo which is gorgeous)

Films are incredibly subjective, so nobody's right or wrong with liking a certain film. It's great that someone enjoys Ep 1 because it's extremely rare to hear it; especially over the internet. Since your view is so rare, I'd like to know more about it (and possibly increase my enjoyment of Ep I)

Anyway with that cleared up, what do you reckon about my previous statement

from what you saw mew it sounds more like you expected it the sequels to be 'much' better but they didn't reach that, so it was a disappointment and you enjoyed it less?

Anakin.S

civildefence wrote: »

Die Hard with a Vengeance was a good example.

The ending of Die Hard 3 is terrible, its like 25 minutes of another film spliced on at the end.