#31 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
PG-13
Running time: 2 hours 1 minute
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Karen Allen, Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Jim Broadbent, Igor Jijikine.

Synopsis
The newest Indiana Jones adventure begins in the desert Southwest in 1957 - the height of the Cold War. Indy and his sidekick Mac have barely escaped a close scrape with nefarious Soviet agents on a remote airfield. Now, Professor Jones has returned home to Marshall College - only to find things have gone from bad to worse. His close friend and dean of the college explains that Indy's recent activities have made him the object of suspicion, and that the government has put pressure on the university to fire him. On his way out of town, Indiana meets rebellious young Mutt, who carries both a grudge and a proposition for the adventurous archaeologist: If he'll help Mutt on a mission with deeply personal stakes, Indy could very well make one of the most spectacular archaeological finds in history - the Crystal Skull of Akator, a legendary object of fascination, superstition and fear. But as Indy and Mutt set out for the most remote corners of Peru - a land of ancient tombs, forgotten explorers and a rumoured city of gold - they quickly realise they are not alone in their search. The Soviet agents are also hot on the trail of the Crystal Skull. Chief among them is icy cold, devastatingly beautiful Irina Spalko, whose elite military unit is scouring the globe for the eerie Crystal Skull, which they believe can help the Soviets dominate the world...if they can unlock its secrets. Indy and Mutt must find a way to evade the ruthless Soviets, follow an impenetrable trail of mystery, grapple with enemies and friends of questionable motive, and, above all, stop the powerful Crystal Skull from falling into the deadliest of hands.

Review
Spielberg's latest Indy adventure is a blast back to all things nostalgia the franchise had fostered. With everything nicely put and done, the ending is the only exception that plunges the whole storyline into the sea of absurdity.

Rating
3/5 Stars

#30 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
PG-13
Running time: 2 hours 7 minutes
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, River Phoenix, Denholm Elliott, Alison Doody, Alex Hyde-White, John Rhys-Davies, Julian Glover, Michael Byrne, Kevork Malikyan, Robert Eddison, Vernon Dobtcheff, Michael Sheard

Synopsis
The year is 1938. Twenty-six years ago, young Indiana Jones was thwarted in an attempt to retrieve the legendary Cross of Coronado from the hands of robbers. But an older, wiser and stronger Indy has finally returned the jewel encrusted Cross of Coronado to his boss, Marcus Brody. Almost as soon as he arrives back at his quite, New England College, though, Indy is whisked away by representatives of multi-millionaire Walter Donovan, who has unearthed a mysterious stone. Indy recognizes it is the first of two long-buried markers that reveal the location of the Holy Grail itself. But the man who found the stone tablet has gone missing: Dr. Henry Jones, Indy's long-estranged father and the world's foremost Grail expert. Journeying to Venice, Indy meets Dr. Elsa Schneider, Donovan's colleague, who helps him track down his father. But they are being followed by the Brotherhood of the Cruciform Sword, whose members have vowed to prot3ect the Grail at any cost - even Indy and Elsa's lives. One of these warrior reveals that Indy's farther is being held in the imposing Brunwald Castle in Austria. What Indy doesn't know is that the castle is actually a Nazi stronghold - and that Elsa is a Nazi double-agent whose also working for the duplicitous American Donovan. Dr. Jones Sr. and Dr. Jones Jr. find themselves chased through the streets of Berlin, through the skies above German and through the deserts of Turkey. Along with Brody and old friend Sallah, they finally locate the Grail's resting place - but the Nazis have beaten them there. Determined to force Indy to retrieve the Grail, Donovan shoots Indy's father, who collapses to the floor. Hesitantly, Indy enters the temple...

Review
The highlight of Indy's third outing is sure to be the relationship dynamics of the father-son duo. Sean Connery's academician Henry Jones had been a tough-loving sort of father towards Ford's outgoing, adventurous Indy, which made Henry Jones an opposite mirror image of the latter. Apart from that, the storyline regarding the Holy Grail quest is not as exciting as Indy's previous adventures, but satisfactory enough to qualify the third film to be an essential family flick.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

#29 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
PG
Running time: 1 hour 58 minutes
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Harrison Ford, Kate Capshaw, Jonathan Ke Quan, Amrish Puri, Roshan Seth, Philip Stone, Raj Singh, D. R. Nanayakkara, Roy Chiao, David Yip, Pat Roach.

Synopsis
The year is 1935. Following a crazed brawl inside Shanghai's Club Obi-Wan, adventurous archaeologist Indiana Jones finds himself saddled with an unwilling companion, bombshell American singer Willie Scott. Now they're on the run from a nefarious Shanghai mob boss with Indy's sidekick, 11-year-old Short Round. They narrowly escape by boarding a waiting plane - which is owned by Lao Che, the mob boss himself! In the air, the pilot empties the fuel tanks and bails out. Indy, Willie and Short Round use a life raft to escape and land in a remote Indian river. A native shaman explains that the village has been under a curse ever since its sacred Sankara stone was stolen by the Maharajah of Pankot. He begs Indy to help the suffering village and its lost children - who have disappeared into the night. Together, Indiana, the audacious Short Round and the very unhappy Willie travel by elephant to Pankot Palace, where they come face to face with the sinister maharajah - a 13-year-old boy. After a bizarre banquet, Indy, Willie and Short Round unexpectedly discover a hidden passage that leads deep into the underground bowels of the Palace. As hey make their way down the deadly path, the trio find themselves deep within the fiery, subterranean Temple of Doom, lorded over by the evil Mola Ram, High Priest of a secret and horrifying cult called the Thuggees. His vicious followers, experts at human sacrifice, protect three glowing stones - Sankara stones, which, according to legend, can bestow preternatural powers on their possessor. Captured by Thuggee guards, Indy, Short Round and Willie come to realize that the residents of Pankot Palace and the Thuggee cult are linked in a terrifying way that spells almost certain death for the village and its children.

Review
Despite its slightly darker and violent content, crude racial profiling and obvious white saviour reference, Indy's prequel serves as a great follow-up to the original with its gritty content and terrifying graphics as the heroic archaeologist embarks on a perilous journey into the dangerous territory of Thuggee cult along with a few timely memorable characters.

Rating
4/5 Stars

#28 Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
PG
Running time: 1 hours 55 minutes
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott, Wolf Kahler, Alfred Molina, Vic Tablian.

Synopsis
The year is 1936. As the Third Reich continues its reign of terror, Adolf Hitler is on a quest for the legendary Ark of the Covenant - resting place of the Ten Commandments - whose supernatural powers, legend says, can wipe out entire armies. The U.S. government wants to find the Ark before Hitler, and Army Intelligence turns to Dr. Indiana Jones, professor of archaeology at a small New England college. A beleaguered Indy has just returned from a failed expedition to recover a sacred idolin the jungles of South America. Recruited by the Army for the mission, Indy travels to Patan, Nepal, where he reunites with the beautiful and daring Marion Ravenwood - who is still bitter over their failed love affair. She reluctantly joined forces with Indy to combat the Nazis on his trail. Carrying a precious medallion that Marion owns, they flee the villainous Nazis and journey to Cairo, where Marion becomes the apparent victim of an attempt on Indy's life. Relentlessly pursued by Hitler's henchmen, Indy learns that his nemesis, the French grave robber Belloq, has been hired by the Nazis to lead their quest for the Ark. Indy daringly infiltrates their massive digging operation in a race against time to discover the Well of the Souls, where the Ark has lain undisturbed for centuries. Astonished to discover that Marion is still alive, they work together with their friend Sallah to retrieve the Ark. But it's viciously snatched from them by Belloq and the Nazis. They plan a secret ritual to learn the contents of the Ark. Despite a daring escape from an underground tomb, Indy and Marion are forced to take part in the ceremony. Lashed to a stake, Indy begs Marion not to look as the Ark emits a violent, mysterious beam of light...

Review
A pure Spielberg masterpiece, Indiana Jones' maiden adventure is a great representation of what a summer adventure blockbuster should be - minimal use of CGI (well, it was 1980's), real stunts and good ol' rapid frame captures of all the awesome action sequences. Harrison Ford's charming personality as the titular archaeologist is timeless and iconic, not to mention the film's sandy backdrop of Egyptian deserts. All in all, 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' is definitely one of my favourite adventure flicks of all time.

Rating
Full 5 Stars

#27 Jurassic Park III (2001)

Jurassic Park III (2001)
PG-13
Running time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Director: Joe Johnston
Cast: Sam Neill, William H. Macy, Téa Leoni, Alessandro Nivola, Trevor Morgan, Michael Jeter, John Diehl, Bruce A. Young, Laura Dern, Taylor Nichols, Mark Harelik, Julio Oscar Mechoso, Blake Michael Bryan, Sarah Danielle Madison, Linda Park.

Synopsis
Adventure runs wild when renowned paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant agrees to accompany a wealthy adventurer and his wife on an aerial tour of Isla Sorna, InGen's former breeding ground for prehistoric creatures. But when they're terrifyingly stranded, Dr. Grant discovers that his hosts are not what they seem, and the island's native inhabitants are smarter, faster, fiercer and more brutal than he ever imagined in this heart-stomping thriller.

Review
Forget the shallow storyline and try to give in the exhilarating scenes of never-before-seen dino species (the gigantic Spinosaurus and Pteranodon) and the presence of beloved Dr. Alan Grant, because Jurassic Park III is a great excuse for movie-goers to return to their childhood fantasy land.

Rating
4/5 Stars

#26 The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
PG-13
Running time: 2 hours 14 minutes
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore, Vince Vaughn, Pete Postlethwaite, Arliss Howard, Richard Schiff, Richard Attenborough, Vanessa Lee Chester, Peter Stormare, Thomas F. Duffy, Harvey Jason, Ariana Richards, Joseph Mazzello, Thomas Rosales, Geno Silva, Alex Miranda, Robin Sachs, Camilla Belle, Sam Neill.

Synopsis
It has been four years since the disaster at Jurassic Park and two groups are in a race against time that will determine the fate of the remote island's prehistoric inhabitants.

Review
In the sequel to the beloved Jurassic classic, Spielberg applied a darker approach into the exploration of Isla Sonar, Jurassic Park's Site B, which serves as a breeding ground for various ferocious dino species. With such delightful return of Goldblum's Ian Malcolm, the premise of the story adds a certain grim if not danger to the expedition. It's a race against time to prevent another mistake made by human, thus providing the much needed urgency and edge to the action sequences. A great continuation that raises more awareness towards corporate capitalism and the effect of mishandled genetically-modified products.

Rating
4/5 Stars

#25 Jurassic Park (1993)

Jurassic Park (1993)
PG-13
Running time: 2 hours 6 minutes
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Ariana Richards, Joseph Mazzello, Bob Peck, Martin Ferrero, Wayne Knight, Samuel L. Jackson, Cameron Thor, Miguel Sandoval, Gerald R. Molen, BD Wong, Richard Kiley, Greg Burson.

Synopsis:
Jurassic Park takes you to an amazing theme park on a remote island where dinosaurs once again roam the earth and five people must battle to survive among the prehistoric predators.

Review
Steven Spielberg's modern classic summons everything a summer blockbuster package should have - an interesting 'man vs. God' platform in the form of bringing the dinosaurs back from extinction, Spielberg's unique touch of action-adventure infused mayhem and the astonishingly ground-breaking visual effects that incorporates both the usage of practical, life-like animatronics and beautiful CG effects that had seemed to be way ahead of its time back then. Memorable catchphrases and iconic moments aside, the Michael Crichton novel adaptation explores the dynamic relation in between the co-existence of dinosaurs and human, thus inducing provocative ideas and challenging theories regarding such genetically engineered circumstances. The characters, especially Neill's Indiana Jones-inspired paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant and Goldblum's chaos theorist Ian Malcolm, are endearing figures that we've come to know and love in the franchise. Lastly, who would forget John Williams' nostalgic Jurassic Park theme accompanying the picturesque bird's eye view of Isla Nublar? Such grandeur scale in modern filmmaking is what made the Jurassic world a gem in its own right.

Rating
Full 5 Stars

#24 Jaws: The Revenge (1987)

Jaws: The Revenge (1987)
PG-13
Running time: 1 hour 29 minutes
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Director: Joseph Sargent
Cast: Lorraine Gary, Lance Guest, Mario Van Peebles, Karen Young, Michael Caine.

Synopsis
Once again the peace of Amity and the lives of the Brody family are shattered by a bloodthirsty shark in this suspense-packed sequel to the original classic chiller. Lorraine Gary reprises her role as the now widowed Ellen Brody who finds herself reliving the horrors of the past when a mammoth shark kills her son. Grief-stricken, she travels to the Bahamas to be with her other son, a marine biologist, and his family. There she meets and falls for a carefree airplane pilot. But just as she is putting her life back together, the nightmare of the past returns when her granddaughter is attacked by an all-too-familiar Great White. Determined to end the terror once and for all, Ellen sets out for a showdown to the death. The action and tension build rapidly to a shattering climax in this, the most incredible Jaws adventure of them all. And this time, it's personal!

Review
Perhaps the only benefit of being one of the worst sequels ever made in film history is to be the first motion picture to feature a psychotic Great White on the trail of the Brody family. It makes no sense at all.

Rating
0/5 Stars

#23 Jaws 3-D (1983)

Jaws 3-D (1983)
PG
Running time: 1 hour 39 minutes
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Director: Joe Alves
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Bess Armstrong, Simon MacCorkindale, Louis Gossett, Jr., John Putch, Lea Thompson, Harry Grant, P. H. Moriarty, Dan Glasko, Elizabeth Morris.

Synopsis
Everyone at Florida's Sea World is thrilled with the new "Undersea Kingdom," a maze of underwater plexiglass tunnels that permits visitors to get closer to marine life than ever before. The opening ceremonies include many important guests… and one uninvited baby shark who accidentally enters the park's lagoon through a faulty sea gate and subsequently dies. The young shark's 35-foot mother soon follows her offspring, creating the most horrifying tale of terror ever filmed in the water.

Review
Banking on the 1980's 3D craze, 'Jaws 3-D' is more like a financial gimmick than a shark horror, or worse so, a SeaWorld-endorsed trip gone wrong.

Rating
0/5 Star

#22 Jaws 2 (1978)

Jaws 2 (1978)
PG
Running time: 1 hour 56 minutes
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Director: Jeannot Szwarc
Cast: Roy Scheider , Lorraine Gary , Murray Hamilton.

Synopsis
The horror is far from over! Four years after the great white shark terrorized the small resort of Amity, unsuspecting vacationers begin disappearing in an all-too-familiar fashion. Only one man knows the truth.

Review
'Decent' would be my word of choice for the sequel inferior to the original classics. Scheider's troublesome frustration is deliberately visible throughout the composure of his returning character, Martin Brody. While the story is too unnecessary to warrant a sequel, one might forgive the abominable 'what are the odds of us getting struck by another Great White again?' platform with gratuitous underwater shots and of course, mayhem involving threshers.

Rating
1/5 Stars

#21 Jaws (1975)

Jaws (1975)
PG
Running time: 2 hours 4 minutes
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Director:Steven Spielberg
Cast: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton.

Synopsis
When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town's chief of police, a young marine biologist and a grizzled shark hunter embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast before it strikes again.

Review
Along with John Williams's now signature ominous score, Steven Spielberg's shark classic is a celebrated piece of cinematic icon. From the film's distinctively rubbery, pre-Jurassic Park shark models to the effective use of musical score to achieve critical suspense and tension, these are memorable essences conceived by Spielberg's compelling direction. The third-act involving Scheider's heroic role Brody, the bellicose Quint (played by Robert Shaw) and Dreyfus' shark fanatic Matt Hooper, lives up to its crescendo with an intense shark battle. A great Hollywood gem with components that we seldom find in today's filmmaking world.

Rating
Full 5 Stars

#20 The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)

PG-13

Running time: 2 hours 24 minutes (Standard Edition)

Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

Director: Peter Jackson

Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Luke Evans, Lee Pace, Graham McTavish, Ken Stott, Aidan Turner, Dean O’Gorman, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Peter Hambleton, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Christopher Lee, Sylvester McCoy, Manu Bennett, John Tui, Billy Connolly, Mikael Persbrandt, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, John Bell, Simon London.

Synopsis
The Dwarves of Erebor have reclaimed the vast wealth of their homeland, but now must face the consequences of having unleashed the terrifying Dragon, Smaug, upon the defenseless men, women and children of Lake-town. As he succumbs to dragon-sickness, the King Under the Mountain, Thorin Oakenshield, sacrifices friendship and honor in his search for the legendaryArkenstone. Unable to help Thorin see reason, Bilbo is driven to make a desperate and dangerous choice, not knowing that even greater perils lie ahead. An ancient enemy has returned to Middle-earth. Sauron, the Dark Lord, has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide—unite or be destroyed. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends as five great armies go to war. From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies," the third in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" brings to an epic conclusion the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield and the Company of Dwarves. Having reclaimed their homeland from the Dragon Smaug, the Company has unwittingly unleashed a deadly force into the world. Enraged, Smaug rains his fiery wrath down upon the defenseless men, women and children of Lake-town. Obsessed above all else with his reclaimed treasure, Thorin sacrifices friendship and honor to hoard it as Bilbo's frantic attempts to make him see reason drive the Hobbit towards a desperate and dangerous choice. But there are even greater dangers ahead. Unseen by any but the Wizard Gandalf, the great enemy Sauron has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide - unite or be destroyed. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends in the epic Battle of the Five Armies, as the future of Middle-earth hangs in the balance.

Review
Finally, the epic Hobbit saga has finally come to an end. As long time fans bid their farewells to Tolkien's massive fantasy land, the filmmakers have decided to go out with a bang, an epic bang. What we're dealing here is a near three-hour of battle frenzy. The emotional tone is slightly less pronounced in this war epic, but all the top-notch visual effects are in no shortage. With a quick pace that's resplendent in war action and the beautiful performance of the leads, 'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies' provides a satisfactory ending to the three-part Hobbit journey, thus ending the overblown prequel series.

Rating
3/5 Stars

#19 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

PG-13

Running time: 2 hours 41 minutes (Standard Edition) / 3 hours 6 minutes (Extended Edition)

Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

Director: Peter Jackson

Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian Holm, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Luke Evans, Lee Pace, Stephen Fry, Orlando Bloom, Graham McTavish, Ken Stott, Aidan Turner, Dean O’Gorman, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Peter Hambleton, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Cate Blanchett, Mikael Persbrandt, Sylvester McCoy, Manu Bennett, Lawrence Makoare, Antony Sher, Craig Hall, Ryan Gage, John Bell, Mark Mitchinson, Ben Mitchell, Robin Kerr, Simon London.

Synopsis
The film continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. Having survived the beginning of their unexpected journey, the Company continues East, encountering along the way the skin-changer Beorn and a swarm of giant Spiders in the treacherous Mirkwood Forest. After escaping capture by the dangerous Woodland Elves, the Dwarves journey to Lake-town, and finally to the Lonely Mountain itself, where they must face the greatest danger of all — a creature more terrifying than any before, which will test not only the depth of their courage but the limits of their friendship and the wisdom of the journey itself — the Dragon Smaug. The second in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.

Review
Let's set the record straight, Desolation of Smaug is clearly a better film compared to its predecessor. The rapid pace, the elaborate action-adventure aura, and the ethereal Middle-Earth panorama, all rolled into one big middle Hobbit chapter. Sure, the film still suffers from its painfully, unnecessarily stretched narrative length, and the plot changes they made is no help in retaining the authenticity of the book, yet these elements can be rendered as a fruitful effort of the director in giving fans what they want: more Middle-Earth goodness and more references to forge the connection to the original One Ring trilogy. With the third-act sequence being the most intense of all, the ending is sure to leave fans hanging in the air, craving for more.

Rating
4/5 Stars

#18 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

PG-13

Running time: 2 hours 49 minutes (Standard Edition) / 3 hours 2 minutes (Extended Edition)

Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

Director: Peter Jackson

Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian Holm, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Graham McTavish, Ken Stott, Aidan Turner, Dean O’Gorman, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Peter Hambleton, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Christopher Lee, Sylvester McCoy, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis, Manu Bennett, Lee Pace, Benedict Cumberbatch, Barry Humphries. John Rawls, Bret McKenzie, Kiran Shah, Jeffrey Thomas, Michael Mizrahi.

Synopsis

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey follows title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever... Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ...a simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.

Review
I gotta admit, all the hype and buzz surrounding this epic ‘LOTR’ prequel is no doubt excessively built and promoted. Thing is, people tend to compare this one to Jackson’s highly acclaimed original Middle-Earth trilogy, which completely makes no sense at all considering the very different nature exhibited by both storyline. While ‘LOTR’ is grounded to be one of the greatest dark fantasy epics ever to be brought to the silver screen, ‘The Hobbit’, much as honest and down-to-Earth as its central protagonist, is no where near the scale. Beneath all the controversies involving the film’s use of 48FPS frame rate and various technical adversities during the shooting, Peter Jackson had managed to craft out a fine piece of adventure flick. Beautiful New Zealand landscapes, enchanting special effects, epic film score and magnificent performances especially by McKellen and Serkis, these may be the essence of ‘The Hobbit’. However, the main problem regarding ‘The Hobbit’ is that it feels really tiresome, much like a chore to me, to stand through the very lazy pacing of the story. I mean, putting out the 300-page prequel in a trilogy isn’t the brightest choice around to go with especially if you compare, let’s say, the amount of source materials plus story complexities, to the original ‘LOTR’ trilogy. This one really should better off being a stand-alone movie instead of getting a franchise-milking treatment. There are parts where you’ll find to be something unnecessarily churned out from the book all for the sake of prolonging the running time, or, of course, creating an entire prequel trilogy for the big bucks. Anyhow, ’The Hobbit’ fares as a rather long highway-avoiding bus ride back into Middle-Earth. ‘The Hobbit’ is faithful to the original material, but somehow it undermines the very foundation of the adventure prequel by breaking it up into a draggy three-part series.

Rating
3/5 Stars

#17 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King(2003)

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King(2003)
PG-13
Running time: 3 hours 21 minutes
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Bernard Hill, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto, David Wenham, Brad Dourif, Karl Urban, Sean Bean, Andy Serkis, Craig Parker, Bruce Hopkins, John Bach, John Leigh, John Noble, Bruce Spence, Ian Holm, Marton Csokas, Bruce Hopkins, Paul Norell, Lawrence Makoare, Sarah McLeod, Thomas Robins.

Synopsis
The final battle for Middle-earth begins as Frodo and Sam, led by Gollum, continue their dangerous mission toward the fires of Mount Doom in order to destroy the One Ring. Aragorn struggles to fulfill his legacy as he leads his outnumbered followers against the growing power of the Dark Lord Sauron, so that the Ring-bearer Frodo may complete his quest.

Review
The saga ends with a final battle of Middle-Earth as all else depends on Frodo's effort in destroying the Ring. Jackson's last chapter of the epic journey ends in the most grandeur, epic way as possible as the tale progresses with proper pacing albeit various character developments. The cinematography is as charming as its predecessor, which segregated parts of the story taking place at a few different place of Middle-Earth are systematically broken down into chronologically inter-related events. While the setting of the Middle-Earth gets abruptly darker as Frodo and Sam set foot into the evil realm of Mordor, hope still prevails across the land of Men as Gondor and Rohan join forces to fight one last battle with the Orcs. In conclusion, the third part of the story relishes on the courage of Men and celebrates the ever resilient spirit of perseverance and bravery while facing tough times.

Rating
Full 5 Stars

#16 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
PG-13
Running time: 3 hours
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Bernard Hill, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto, David Wenham, Brad Dourif, Karl Urban, Sean Bean, Andy Serkis, Craig Parker, Bruce Hopkins, John Bach, John Leigh, John Noble.

Synopsis
In the second of Peter Jackson's cinematic tales of "The Lord of the Rings," the Fellowship will stand against the powerful forces spreading from the Two Towers - Orthanc Tower in Isengard, where Saruman has bred a lethal army of 10,000 strong; and Sauron's fortress at Barad-dur, deep within the dark lands of Mordor.

Review
The second of the epic trilogy ups the emotional aspect through a wider storytelling scope that doesn't only further explore the expansive world of Middle-Earth but fleshing out the constructive details surrounding character developments. Simpy said, 'The Two Towers' is a beautiful tale of courage that builds up the anticipation towards the last chapter of Tolkien's legendary literary legacy, in both emotional yet epic manner.

Rating
Full 5 Stars

#15 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
PG-13
Running time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Sean Bean, Ian Holm, Andy Serkis.

Synopsis
Based on J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece, the saga centers around an unassuming Hobbit named Frodo Baggins who inherits a Ring that would give a dark and powerful lord the power to enslave the world. With a loyal fellowship of elves, dwarves, men and a wizard, Frodo embarks on a heroic quest to destroy the One Ring and pave the way for the emergence of mankind.

Review
It's been more than a decade since Peter Jackson brought the beloved Tolkien epic to the big screen. Shot as the first of the classic trilogy, the first chapter is a total visual treat that is more than capable when it comes to painting a vivid picture of the mystical Middle Earth. Filmmakers have flawlessly weaved and assimilated the humble beginning of the epic journey into lively images by applying simple yet chronologically linear storytelling behind grandeur backdrop of breathtaking mountains, perilous terrains, creepy caves and majestic forest, thus boosting New Zealand's tourism scene. Great story, great cinematography and great landscape.

Rating
Full 5 Stars

#14 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (2011)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (2011)
PG-13
Running time: 2 hours 11 minutes
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: David Yates
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, John Hurt, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis, Julie Walters.

Synopsis
The battle between the good and evil forces of the Wizarding World escalate into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here.

Review
Deviating from part one's sloppy pace and dramatic elements, the last installment of the HP franchise has accelerated its story towards the climax without any sign of slowing down. Focusing on the factors that drove Harry to the verge of his physical limit, the story is fast-paced without neglecting any emphasis on the emotions and actions. Daniel Radcliffe's performance is arguably his best here. The battle sequence is done in a huge manner. In conclusion, it's the darkest film of the series that fits well as an epic finale.

Rating
Full 5 Stars

#13 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 (2010)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 (2010)
PG-13
Running time: 2 hours 26 minutes
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: David Yates
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, John Hurt, Rhys Ifans, Jason Isaacs, Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Richard Griffiths, Timothy Spall, Imelda Staunton, David Thewlis, Julie Walters.

Synopsis
Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on their perilous mission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort's immortality and destruction—the Horcruxes. On their own, without the guidance of their professors or the protection of Professor Dumbledore, the three friends must now rely on one another more than ever. But there are Dark Forces in their midst that threaten to tear them apart.Meanwhile, the wizarding world has become a dangerous place for all enemies of the Dark Lord. The long-feared war has begun and Voldemort's Death Eaters seize control of the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts, terrorizing and arresting anyone who might oppose them. But the one prize they still seek is the one most valuable to Voldemort: Harry Potter. The Chosen One has become the hunted one as the Death Eaters search for Harry with orders to bring him to Voldemort…alive.Harry's only hope is to find the Horcruxes before Voldemort finds him. But as he searches for clues, he uncovers an old and almost forgotten tale—the legend of the Deathly Hallows. And if the legend turns out to be true, it could give Voldemort the ultimate power he seeks.Little does Harry know that his future has already been decided by his past when, on that fateful day, he became “The Boy Who Lived.” No longer just a boy, Harry Potter is drawing ever closer to the task for which he has been preparing since the day he first stepped into Hogwarts: the ultimate battle with Voldemort.

Review
While many have viewed the studio's decision of breaking up the final book into two movies as another money-making strategy, the first part seems to be quite a necessity when it comes to bringing out most of the essence offered by the final book. While the pace may be a bit off on an occasional manner, the whole film somehow doesn't feel like a drag at all as most of the elements serve as the pivotal core components to both story progress and character developments. To sum things up, the film is the calm before the storm, and that is the final film of the series.

Rating
3/5 Stars

#12 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
PG-13
Running time: 2 hours 34 minutes
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: David Yates
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Jim Broadbent, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, David Thewlis, Julie Walters, Bonnie Wright.

Synopsis
Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information.Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. And Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her, only she hadn't counted on Romilda Vane's chocolates! And then there's Hermione, simmering with jealously but determined not to show her feelings. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.

Review
Picking up from where the last one left off, the sixth year sees Harry and the gang going through the age of hormonal rage. Love is in the air as Hogwarts students start to deal with issues relating to love and feelings. The plot plods on as director David Yates has once again managed to build and escalate the overall underlying suspense of the settings to an imploding climax. As Harry and Dumbledore play the spy game of investigating and exploring the origin of Lord Voldemort, the emergence of an ominous threat can be felt throughout the undertone of the cinematography. Still, this is one story deemed vital in completing the mythological arc of the ongoing universe.

Rating
4/5 Stars

#11 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
PG-13
Running time: 2 hours 18 minutes
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: David Yates
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Richard Griffiths, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton, David Thewlis, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters.

Synopsis
Lord Voldemort has returned, but few want to believe it. In fact, the Ministry of Magic is doing everything it can to keep the wizarding world from knowing the truth - including appointing Ministry official Dolores Umbridge as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. When Professor Umbridge refuses to train her students in practical defensive magic, a select group of students decides to learn on their own. With Harry Potter as their leader, these students (who call themselves "Dumbledore's Army") meet secretly in a hidden room at Hogwarts to hone their wizarding skills in preparation for battle with the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters.

Review
Witness the rise of the Rebellion in one of the best entries off the series. Being the longest book in the series, director David Yates did a good job transitioning the most theatrically challenged novel into a cohesive and solid adaptation. When compared to the other, the story of the fifth one relies more on character-driven synergy. As the plot escalates to unimaginably dark places, Harry has to deal with his fear and worries towards the future pertaining the resurrection of Lord Voldemort himself. Boasting strong performances from all the respectable British theatrics, Radcliffe already seemed to be a master of his role as the Boy Who Lived as he once again proved that he's the living embodiment of the character himself in this one. Apart from that, character developments are abundant in this one, which are no doubt essential to the story and helps setting things up for the future the proper way.

Rating
4/5 Stars

#10 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
PG-13
Running time: 2 hours 17 minutes
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Mike Newell
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, Frances de la Tour, Robert Pattinson.

Synopsis
When Harry Potter's name emerges from the Goblet of Fire, he becomes a competitor in a grueling battle for glory among three wizarding schools - the Triwizard Tournament. But since Harry never submitted his name for the Tournament, who did? Now Harry must confront a deadly dragon, fierce water demons and an enchanted maze only to find himself in the cruel grasp of He Who Must Not Be Named.

Review
The fourth entry of the series is one adventurous ride loaded with awesome special effects. However, obvious change of spectacle is inevitable as yet another switch of director had warranted a tonal shift - a reversion of Cuaron's darker vision to Mike Newell's much lighter shades. As the pace is moderately kept in check, the whole 'video-game'-like environment involving the protagonist surviving through obstacle courses had added much higher entertainment value with plenty of spaces for stylized special effects here and there. Nevertheless, such thematic material had indeed made the film more action-oriented than its predecessors.

Rating
3/5 Stars

#9 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
PG
Running time: 2 hours 22 minutes
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon, Gary Oldman, Richard Griffiths, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith, Julie Walters, Timothy Spall, David Thewlis, Emma Thompson.

Synopsis
Harry, Ron and Hermione, now teenagers, return for their third year at Hogwarts, where they are forced to face escaped prisoner, Sirius Black, who poses a great threat to Harry. Harry and his friends spend their third year learning how to handle a half-horse half-eagle Hippogriff, repel shape-shifting Boggarts and master the art of Divination. They also visit the wizarding village of Hogsmeade and the Shrieking Shack, which is considered the most haunted building in Britain. In addition to these new experiences, Harry must overcome the threats of the soul-sucking Dementors, outsmart a dangerous werewolf and finally deal with the truth about Sirius Black and his relationship to Harry and his parents. With his best friends, Harry masters advanced magic, crosses the barriers of time and changes the course of more than one life.

Review
One of the best entries in the series, the third installment mixes brilliant storytelling with edgier, darker tone in terms of cinematography. The complexity of the third book is very well brought to life by director Alfonso Cuaron, which indeed put the word 'twist' back into use within the storytelling structure, especially the ever perplexing 'time-travelling' concept. When it comes to cast performance, the trio made a huge improvement in the acting department. Furthermore, the third film made a bold venture by deviating largely from the previous entries directed by Chris Columbus in terms of style and shades - it's darker, edgier and surprisingly good.

Rating
4/5 Stars

#8 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
PG
Running time: 2 hours 41 minutes
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Chris Columbus
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Kenneth Branagh John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Richard Griffiths, Richard Harris, Jason Isaacs, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith, Julie Walters.

Synopsis
Young wizard Harry Potter and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger face new challenges during their second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as they try to uncover a dark force that is terrorizing the school.

Review
The saga continues as Harry's second year gets darker and scarier. Not quite different with its predecessor, the second instalment maintained the same aspects of cinematography (director Chris Columbus' second stint..) and performance by the cast. While the tone of the film got a wee bit darker this time, the enchanting world of Harry Potter is still bright and wholesome enough to charm young and old audiences alike. The formula of telling the story is no difference to the first one as staying faithful to the book seems to be the only way to get things right. Fans of the series will definitely favour this.

Rating
3/5 Stars

#7 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
PG
Running time: 2 hours 32 minutes
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Chris Columbus
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Richard Griffiths, Richard Harris, Ian Hart, John Hurt, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith, Julie Walters, Timothy Spall, David Thewlis, Emma Thompson

Synopsis
Harry Potter learns on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned first son of two powerful wizards and possesses magical powers of his own. At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. He learns the high-flying sport Quidditch and plays a thrilling game with living chess pieces on his way to face a Dark Wizard bent on destroying him.

Review
A.k.a. Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, the first entry to one of the highest grossing movie franchises in cinema history marks a great introduction to the fascinating universe of Harry Potter. Good thing was that the storyline is faithfully kept to the book as most of the scenes seem to come straight out from the pages. As young talents back then, acting chops can be seen budding within the trio (Radcliffe, Grint and Watson) and their fellow junior cast. While some parts of the magical world may seem illogical and preposterous at times, it's better to leave them unexplained as anything can happen through the use of magic. Much like an amusement park ride, the pace of the film followed tightly on the basis of an adventure flick with the plot journeying across different backdrops that's sprinkled with dazzling special effects and incredible concepts genuinely derived from J.K. Rowling's world of witchcraft and wizardry.

Rating
4/5 stars

#6 Back to the Future Part III (1990)

Back to the Future Part III (1990)
PG
Running time: 1 hour 59 minutes
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Cast: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Mary Steenburgen, Lea Thompson, Thomas F. Wilson, Elisabeth Shue, James Tolkan, Jeffrey Weissman.

Synopsis
Stranded in 1955 after a freak accident, Marty McFly discovers he must travel back to 1885 to rescue Doc Brown before he becomes smitten with school teacher Clara Clayton. Now, it's up to Marty to keep Doc out of trouble, get the DeLorean running and put the past, present and future on track so they can all get back to where — and when — they belong.

Review
While the Western backdrop provides a fun yet slightly out-of-place tone to the time-travel adventure, part trois delivers the urgency triggered by the previous cliffhanger. With so many feel-good moments (and some heartstrings-pulling...) here and there, the finale is a satisfactorily fine testament to end what would eventually become one of pioneering blockbuster trilogies, on a high note.

Rating
4/5 Stars

#5 Back to the Future Part II (1989)

Back to the Future Part II (1989)
PG
Running time: 1 hour 49 minutes
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Cast: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Thomas F. Wilson, Elisabeth Shue, James Tolkan, Jeffrey Weissman, Flea, Crispin Glover.

Synopsis
Picking up precisely where they left off, Marty and Doc launch themselves to the year 2015 to fine-tune the future and inadvertently disrupt the space-time continuum. Now, their only chance to fix the present is by going back to 1955 all over again before it is too late.

Review

The time-travel adventure continues in the second chapter as Marty, together with his trusty Doc Brown travel into the future to prevent a catastrophic occurence. The result is a fun, time-bending, dimension-warping story that establishes the summer blockbuster formula. Fast-paced and ahead of its time, the film managed to set its standard with a few near accurate predictions of the future, except the hoverboard and flying cars. Apart from that, the journey oscillating back and forth between the past and the future is a entertaining joy to watch as our two protagonists race against time righting the wrongs, only to create more impending problems that will threaten the course of their entire existence. With all the brain-popping theories regarding the alternate timeline and continuum, Zemeckis’ sophomore effort shines and is set to stand the test of time.

Rating

Full 5 Stars

#4 Back to the Future (1985)

Back to the Future (1985)
PG
Running time: 1 hour 56 minutes
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Cast: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, Thomas F. Wilson, Claudia Wells, James Tolkan, Marc McClure, Wendie Jo Sperber.

Synopsis
When teenager Marty McFly is blasted to 1955 in the DeLorean time machine created by the eccentric Doc Brown, he finds himself mixed up in a time-altering chain reaction that could vaporize his future — and leave him trapped in the past. Powered by innovative special effects, unforgettable songs and non-stop action, Back to the Future is an unrivaled adventure that stands the test of time!

Review

Released in year 1985, Zemeckis’ ‘Back To The Future’ made history with two pivotal breakthrough: setting up a certain standard or benchmark for a bona-fide summer blockbuster, and being a masterpiece thathad single-handedly incorporated various smart, inventive time-travelling logics within a hueful, fun 80’s background – a point of subject which had inadvertently established a sort of formula or template for many future time-travel releases to come. With so many iconic moments (the DeLorean, Hill Valley clock tower, earlier sign of genuine product placements..) and catchphrases (Great Scott! e.t.c.), the film is an era-defining proof of how a blend of quirky characters (delivered by the very impressive ensemble), nonsensical time-travelling laws/theories and the early stage of special effects in modern filmmaking being such a winning ingredients in a simple coming-of-age story reminiscent of Spielberg’s, thus crafting a summer smash hit. There’s just something about Michael J. Fox’s youtuful Marty and Christopher Lloyd’s eccentric Doc Brown that made them such lovable dynamic duo onscreen, such chemistry plays out as one of those memorable things that made the flick a successful one for many generations to come.

Rating

Full 5 Stars

#3 The Godfather Part III (1990)

The Godfather Part III (1990)
R
Running time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Cast: Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Andy Garcia, Eli Wallach, Joe Mantegna, Bridget Fonda, George Hamilton, Sofia Coppola.

Synopsis
Now in his 60's, Michael Corleone is dominated by two passions: freeing his family from crime and finding suitable successor. That successor could be fiery Vincent, but he may also be the spark that turns Michael's hope of business legitimacy into an inferno of mob violence.

Review
It was the beginning of the 90's, and critics hadn't been very kind to Coppola's third concluding effort to the Corleone saga. Such circumstance had ironically drawn itself a real-life reflection of what the film's about - there's an end to every glorious civilization as every empire has its downfall. However, I beg to differ. Yes, the movie might have its own set of flaws - sudden introduction of various new characters that seems out of place, Sofia Coppola's acting career-murdering performance, Vatican scandal as side-story gone wrong and absence of many beloved characters from the originals. However, one thing matters the most regarding the overall direction the story is going - changes were inevitable with the passing of time. Michael Corleone is now an aging man of loss and regrets who needed a shot at redemption, as the plot thickens with him finding the exit to the supposed righteous path. However, things weren't as easy it seems for Michael being such complicated man - the ghost of his past catches up on him, with no less making the best out of his wisdom. The result were a couple of memorable, powerful scenes so perfectly executed by Pacino. With the crescendo building until the climactic third-act, 'The Godfather Part III' brings a satisfactory conclusion to its brilliant predecessors, ending the iconic crime epic as a proper trilogy.

Rating
4/5 Stars

#2 The Godfather Part II (1974)

The Godfather Part II (1974)
R
Running time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Cast: Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, Talia Shire, Morgana King, John Cazale, Mariana Hill, Lee Strasbery.

Synopsis
Part II tells two chronicles: the roots and rise of a young Don Vito, and the ascension of Michael as the new Don of the Corleone family.

Review
As part deux of the epic crime saga focuses on Michael's era as the new Don, the story swivels back and forth between two generations - Don Vito's revenge-driven, humble rise to the eponymous title and his son, Michael's present day tale of ascension. With Pacino's compelling performance completing Michael's transformation into a ruthless, moral-torn Mafia boss, Robert De Niro's Academy Awards- winning portrayal of young Vito is a character born from tragic misfortune. With Michael Corleone leading the family, the chronicle of one man's deal with the devil challenges human dilemmas at best: Has Michael's seedy business that's filled with murder and mayhem made him a family man of integrity he thought he is? Or has this so-called business of protecting his family is somehow a desperate measure for one man's rise to totalitarian power? Say what you want 'cause judging from the surprising third-act, Michael has chosen the path of becoming the man he thought he would never be, a one-way ticket without looking back - a fearful man that embodies insecurity and cold-heartedness all in the name of business. However, his father, Vito Corleone was a man of contrast - he fought injustice and would do anything to defend what he once lost as a kid - family. Such simultaneously parallel play on both traits, the kind and compassionate nature against the vile and ruthless tragic hero, had single-handedly shaped one of Coppola's finest period pieces to date.

Rating
Full 5 Stars

#1 The Godfather (1972)

The Godfather (1972)
R
Running time: 2 hours 55 minutes
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Cast: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard Castellano, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard Conte.

Synopsis
Popularly viewed as one of the best American films ever made, the multi-generational crime saga The Godfather is a touchstone of cinema: one of the most widely imitated, quoted, and lampooned movies of all time. Marlon Brando and Al Pacino star as Vito Corleone and his youngest son, Michael, respectively. It is the late 1940s in New York and Corleone is, in the parlance of organized crime, a "godfather" or "don," the head of a Mafia family. Michael, a free thinker who defied his father by enlisting in the Marines to fight in World War II, has returned a captain and a war hero. Having long ago rejected the family business, Michael shows up at the wedding of his sister, Connie, with his non-Italian girlfriend, Kay, who learns for the first time about the family "business." A few months later at Christmas time, the don barely survives being shot by gunmen in the employ of a drug-trafficking rival whose request for aid from the Corleones' political connections was rejected. After saving his father from a second assassination attempt, Michael persuades his hotheaded eldest brother, Sonny, and family advisors Tom Hagen and Sal Tessio that he should be the one to exact revenge on the men responsible. After murdering a corrupt police captain and the drug trafficker, Michael hides out in Sicily while a gang war erupts at home. Falling in love with a local girl, Michael marries her, but she is later slain by Corleone enemies in an attempt on Michael's life. Sonny is also butchered, having been betrayed by Connie's husband. As Michael returns home and convinces Kay to marry him, his father recovers and makes peace with his rivals, realizing that another powerful don was pulling the strings behind the narcotics endeavor that began the gang warfare. Once Michael has been groomed as the new don, he leads the family to a new era of prosperity, then launches a campaign of murderous revenge against those who once tried to wipe out the Corleones, consolidating his family's power and completing his own moral downfall.

Review
One of the greatest films ever made in modern world cinema, Mario Puzo's 'The Godfather' defines what a contemporary iconic masterpiece should be, spawning memorable quotes and cinematic moments that will stand the test of time for sure. The timeless tale of a Mafia family's rise and fall is told with such intelligent complexity and intense poignancy. With Marlon Brando's characteristically exceptional Don Vito, the central figure of one of New York's most notorious crime family, the essence of the story is tastefully brought out with humane themes such as the ever present stronghold of family values. The transformation of Al Pacino's prodigal son character from a reluctant outcast to a ruthless, powerful successor of the crime empire explains well of how a typical doe-eyed young man could change to his worst in times of hardship and desperation. In short, Coppola's gangster chronicle succeeds in being one film so great, so culturally significant that everyone agrees on.

Rating
Full 5 Stars