My Top 10: Film Trilogies

In an age where sequels and prequels are the big attraction for summer blockbusters, trilogies are coming in thick-and-fast and then shortly departing us after becoming a quadrilogy.

With many classics franchises such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Alien and many others not being eligible in this list, we are still left with an impressive list that I can guarantee will not remain the same.

Just missing is the Millenium trilogy. Sweden's gritty trilogy of the Millenium book series, Noomi Rapace stars as young computer hacker Lisbeth Salander.

After initially helping a journalist in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Salander is then involved in a crime that forces her to go on the run in The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest.

I had hoped to have watched other trilogies that I am longing to see, but sadly work has got the better of me lately.
But for the time being, here are my top 10 trilogies that are definitely essential viewing:

10) The Godfather - The life of a highly organised crime dynasty is one of the best praised trilogies.
We begin with an ageing leader (played by Marlon Brando) handing over duties to his son in an incredible opening feature.

Part II sees the son take control whilst seeing the young days of his father.

Despite Part III being seen as a disappointing finish, I still found it entertaining enough to close the story that sees the now ageing soon looking for a protege to take under his wing

9) Before - A romance trilogy is almost unheard of. But director Richard Linklater gives us a relationship that we want to know what happens next.
After the incredible success with Before Sunrise, nine years later sees them re-unite in Before Sunset. A further nine years sees what could very well be the final chapter in Before Midnight.
Romance is usually not my genre, but this is something special.

8) Three Flavours Cornetto - The loose trilogy by Edgar Wright featuring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost has become probably the best comedic trilogy of all-time.

It started with Shaun Of The Dead with a unique rob-zom-com story that showed us the level of clever comedy these three were achieving. It is so smart in just its comedy, but its story-telling and editing.
Then came another belter in the form of Hot Fuzz where the action is thrilling and the comedy is as good as ever with many other high British talent contributing.
The third chapter

7) The Hobbit - Peter Jackson's prequel to The Lord Of The Rings trilogy.
Despite the book being fairly short and not as dark, director Peter Jackson manages to stretch the source material to give us three fantastic installments of the tales of Bilbo Baggins.
After being appointed to a dangerous task, to exploring to edges of Middle-Earth we have never seen before.
If you loved Lord Of The Rings, get excited for more of the same.

6) The Matrix - Another trilogy that sees one part of the three elevate this franchise up higher then some people may think.
The Matrix began with the most eye-popping and ground-breaking action/sci-fi we have seen in a long time.
Despite Reloaded and Revolutions disappointing us, they are still essential to the story and is gripping entertainment. But this trilogy will forever be remembered for the introduction to this futuristic world.

5) Back To The Future - Robert Zemeckis' highly-entertaining and consistent trilogy of a professor and a teenage rebel going back and forward in time in a car is many peoples favorite.
Sounds crazy, but once you see it for the first time, you just want to watch the rest.

We go back to their own past, future and a past so-far back we see the beginnings of their families settle into the town of Hill Valley.
This is one trilogy that I pray does not get re-made.

4) Toy Story - Pixar's only trilogy that began with origins of the success of the studio itself.

Toy Story shows the adventures of a group of house-hold toys. We see new toys split the group, steal the owner's favorite and the toys being forced to move on to a new owner.

This franchise is special to me and millions of others. It is the perfect blend of action, comedy and emotional drama.

3) Dark Knight - From Tim Burton's gothic portrayal to Joel Schumacher's almost crucifixion of the franchise,. Christopher Nolan's visions not only saved the Batman franchise, but elevated it to a level that no-one thinks will be surpassed.
From training with The League Of Shadows, to saving crime-ridden Gotham, to facing-off against some of Gotham's craziest criminals.

This trilogy is quite extraordinary and gives a really realistic vision of what the world would be like with a character like Batman.

2) Dollars - Sergio Leone's unforgettable Spaghetti Western trilogy starring The Man With No Name played by the then un-known Clint Eastwood.
This trilogy sees the adventures of a wandering gunfighter.

You see him star a war in a town consisting of two rival families, teaming up with a fellow bounty hunter to catch a outlaw and the search for buried treasure with two other gunmen in hot pursuit.

1) The Lord Of The Rings - Director Peter Jackson gives the vision of J.R.R Tolkien novels that we have all been wanting.
The Lord Of The Rings trilogy sees an unlikely fellowship journey with their enemies most prized obsession and going into the lion's den to find the only place it can be destroyed.

It has mythical creatures, breath-taking landscapes and some of the best battle scenes in film history.
It's ground-breaking visual effects, countless memorable characters and scenes makes this is the perfect trilogy and well deserving of its many Oscars.