KANSAS CITY, Mo —
SHAWN
No new releases this holiday weekend. So in honor of “The Hangover” franchise coming to an end we re-visit some recently released trilogies on DVD and Blu-ray.
RUSS
Hollywood has never been shy about going back to the well to cash in on movies that have been box office hits. Usually, it’s a bad idea, but sometimes they get it right. Here are three examples of terrific DVD collections from popular movie franchises.
1. **THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY**
Warner Bros.
(PG-13)
RUSS
Director Christoper Nolan reinvented the saga of the caped crusader with “Batman Begins” and followed up with the brilliant comic book movie “The Dark Knight” and the satisfying conclusion, “The Dark Knight Rises.”
SHAWN
Loved the way Christopher Nolan nicely flipped the Cape Crusaders world and took things to the dark side. Nothin’ against Tim Burton but the graphic novel tone is way more satisfying.
RUSS
All three films benefit from smart screenwriting, solid acting and great production values. Batman was once campy. Thanks to The Dark Knight trilogy, he’s now the epitome of cool.
SHAWN
So true. And “The Dark Knight’ is one of the best movies ever comic book or otherwise. Perhaps the best trilogy ever definitely the most solid in the super hero universe.
RUSS: 4 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 4 Popcorn Bags
2. **THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY**
New Line Cinema
(PG-13)
RUSS
While some purists may balk at filmmaker Peter Jackson’s big screen adaptations of J.R.R Tolkein’s literary classics, there is no denying their visual spectacle and grandiose power. The movies may lose some of their visual power on your TV screen, but there is enough movie magic to please the fanboy in all of us.
SHAWN
The technical aspect is spectacular. it’s filmmaking at the highest level. But way too much space and wasted time with the story. While always watchable not always entertaining.
RUSS
While written for young people and adults, The Lord of the Rings film trilogy is too graphic and intense for young audiences.
SHAWN
That’s debateable. The cool kids watch much more graphic stuff than this so they will be aiight.
RUSS: 4 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags
3. **THE GODFATHER TRILOGY**
Paramount
(R)
RUSS
While “The Godfather, Part III” doesn’t reach the heights of it’s predecessors, the overall “Godfather” trilogy is still the greatest in Hollywood history. It’s an epic saga that serves not only as a satisfying and compelling family drama, but it’s also a potent commentary on the American Dream.
SHAWN
Can’t go there as the greatest trilogy ever because number three is so weak. Now “The Godfather” one and two are without question masterpieces. Stop there and you are talking the best combo in history. But we talkin’ threes and the the third in this series is so epically flawed it makes you wish time travel actually existed so they could go back and redo it.
RUSS
It’s an epic saga that doesn’t just serve as a satisfying and compelling family drama. It’s also a potent commentary on the American Dream.
SHAWN
It is. just not the best trilogy ever.
RUSS: 4 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 4 Popcorn Bags
Click here to receive weekly emails full of FOX 4′s entertainment news!
Follow on Twitter: @fox4kc @RussSimmons1 @sedwardskc
