With Jason Bourne being released this weekend and it being the 5th film in the franchise, I thought it would be fitting to bring you my top 10 favorite films in a franchise. Now this list will include films with either the number 5 in the title or it is chronologically the 5th film in the franchise. So without further ado...
10. Muppet Treasure Island
I love The Muppets and this film has a really special place in my heart. The Muppets are back into action in another movie based on a novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson. Kermit the Frog and his colleagues go on a warfare against ruthless pirates. They also share their problem-solving journey on sea to rescue a treasure. Muppet Treasure Island has a rating of 70% on rottentomatoes.com.
9. Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
While it strays away from the format of the other films, this film gets back to the traditional roots of the television series The stages of life are told through multiple sketches and songs by the British comedy troupe. The seven parts of life cover birth, growing up, war, middle age, organ transplants, old age and death. Not all stages are singular: "Part I: The Miracle of Birth" is from the perspective of an ignored woman in labor, and of a Roman Catholic couple with too many children, and "Part VII: Death" encompasses a funeral and heaven. Added are three unrelated skits placed in the beginning, middle and end. MThe Meaning of Life has a rating of 90% on rottentomatoes.com.
8. Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach
While this might be the worst film of the franchise, it was the one that introduced me to the franchise. America's most inept law enforcement team mixes business with pleasure as they head to sunny Florida in this comedy. The aging and often-confused head of the Police Academy, Commandant Lassard (played by George Gaynes), has reached mandatory retirement age, much to the pleasure of the devious Capt. Harris (played by G.W. Bailey), who is still scheming to take over his job. Lassard, Harris, and a handful of the Academy's "distinguished" graduates (played by Bubba Smith, Michael Winslow, Leslie Easterbrook, and Marion Ramsey) travel to Miami Beach for a special ceremony to commemorate Lassard's years of service as he leaves the force; however, a luggage mix-up puts the clumsy cops in the middle of a massive illegal arms deal. Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach has a rating of 0% on rottentomatoes.com.
7. A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child
This is easily the darkest film of the franchise tone wise, but also one of the more silly ones as well. The fifth installment of the popular franchise focuses on Alice (played by Lisa Wilcox), a survivor of the fourth, who believes Freddy Krueger (played by Robert Englund) has been eliminated for good. She optimistically hopes to start a life with fellow survivor Dan (played by Danny Hassel). The nightmares begin soon enough, though, and Alice learns she is pregnant. When her friends start dying, Alice suspects that Freddy is using the fetus within her as a weapon. Can she fight the demon while protecting her unborn child? A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child has a rating of 33% on rottentomtoes.com.
6. Superman Returns
Eventhough the film does have a bad ending, the film isn't the steaming pile of crap everyone thinks it is. While Lex Luthor (played by Kevin Spacey) plots to destroy him once and for all, the Man of Steel (played by Brandon Routh) returns after a long absence to a much-changed world. Lois Lane (played by Kate Bosworth) has moved on with her life, and society has learned to survive without him. Superman must find a way to reconnect with her and find his place in a world that may no longer need him. Superman Returns has a rating of 76% on rottentomatoes.com.
5. Fast Five
Eventhough it isn't the film that restarted the franchise, it is the film that turned the franchise into what it is today. Ever since ex-cop Brian O'Conner (played by Paul Walker) and Mia Torretto (played by Jordana Brewster) broke her brother Dom (played by Vin Diesel) out of custody, they've traveled border to border to evade authorities. In Rio de Janeiro, they must do one final job before they can gain their freedom for good. Assembling their elite team of car racers, Brian and Dom know they must confront the corrupt businessman who wants them dead, before the federal agent (played by Dwayne Johnson) on their trail finds them. Fast Five has a rating of 78% on rottentomatoes.com.
4. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Eventhough it is my least favorite film, it setups up the home stretch for one of the greatest franchises of all-time. Now in his fifth year at Hogwarts, Harry (played by Daniel Radcliffe) learns that many in the wizarding community do not know the truth of his encounter with Lord Voldemort. Cornelius Fudge (played by Robert Hardy), minister of Magic, appoints his toady, Dolores Umbridge (played by Imelda Staunton), as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, for he fears that professor Dumbledore (played by Michael Gambon) will take his job. But her teaching is deficient and her methods, cruel, so Harry prepares a group of students to defend the school against a rising tide of evil. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has a rating of 97% on rottentomatoes.com.
3. Mission Impossible: Rouge Nation
This film is a marvelous action film with Tom Cruise once again raising the stakes when it comes to action scenes. With the IMF now disbanded and Ethan Hunt (played by Tom Cruise) out in the cold, a new threat -- called the Syndicate -- soon emerges. The Syndicate is a network of highly skilled operatives who are dedicated to establishing a new world order via an escalating series of terrorist attacks. Faced with what may be the most impossible mission yet, Ethan gathers his team and joins forces with Ilsa Faust (played by Rebecca Ferguson), a disavowed British agent who may or may not be a member of this deadly rogue nation. Mission Impossible: Rouge Nation has a rating of 93% on rottentomatoes.com.
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Eventhough it is my least favorite of the original trilogy, it is still a perfect film in every aspect. The sequel to the Golden Globe-nominated and AFI Award-winning "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Two Towers" follows the continuing quest of Frodo (played by Elijah Wood) and the Fellowship to destroy the One Ring. Frodo and Sam (played by Sean Astin) discover they are being followed by the mysterious Gollum (played by Andy Serkis). Aragorn (played by Viggo Mortensen), the Elf archer Legolas (played by Orlando Bllom) and Gimli the Dwarf (played by John Rhys-Daviesencounter the besieged Rohan kingdom, whose once great King Theoden (played by Bernard Hill) has fallen under Saruman (played by Christopher Lee)'s deadly spell. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers was nominated for 6 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Visual Effects, Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing while winning 2 (Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Editing ) and it has a rating of 96% on rottentomatoes.com.
1. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
I am one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world (but not to big in the sense I don't overly obsess over all of the merchandise). The adventure continues in this "Star Wars" sequel. Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill), Han Solo (played by Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (played by Carrie Fisher) and Chewbacca (played by Peter Mayhew) face attack by the Imperial forces and its AT-AT walkers on the ice planet Hoth. While Han and Leia escape in the Millennium Falcon, Luke travels to Dagobah in search of Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz). Only with the Jedi master's help will Luke survive when the dark side of the Force beckons him into the ultimate duel with Darth Vader (played by David Prowse and voiced by James Earl Jones).Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back was nominated for 3 Academy Awards including Best Sound Mixing, Best Original Score and Best Production Design while winning 1 for Best Sound Mixing it has a rating of 97% on rottentomatoes.com.
So ladies and gentlemen what are some of your favorite 5th films in a franchise and what do you think of my list? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.
Jonah Sparks
10. Muppet Treasure Island
I love The Muppets and this film has a really special place in my heart. The Muppets are back into action in another movie based on a novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson. Kermit the Frog and his colleagues go on a warfare against ruthless pirates. They also share their problem-solving journey on sea to rescue a treasure. Muppet Treasure Island has a rating of 70% on rottentomatoes.com.
9. Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
While it strays away from the format of the other films, this film gets back to the traditional roots of the television series The stages of life are told through multiple sketches and songs by the British comedy troupe. The seven parts of life cover birth, growing up, war, middle age, organ transplants, old age and death. Not all stages are singular: "Part I: The Miracle of Birth" is from the perspective of an ignored woman in labor, and of a Roman Catholic couple with too many children, and "Part VII: Death" encompasses a funeral and heaven. Added are three unrelated skits placed in the beginning, middle and end. MThe Meaning of Life has a rating of 90% on rottentomatoes.com.
8. Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach
While this might be the worst film of the franchise, it was the one that introduced me to the franchise. America's most inept law enforcement team mixes business with pleasure as they head to sunny Florida in this comedy. The aging and often-confused head of the Police Academy, Commandant Lassard (played by George Gaynes), has reached mandatory retirement age, much to the pleasure of the devious Capt. Harris (played by G.W. Bailey), who is still scheming to take over his job. Lassard, Harris, and a handful of the Academy's "distinguished" graduates (played by Bubba Smith, Michael Winslow, Leslie Easterbrook, and Marion Ramsey) travel to Miami Beach for a special ceremony to commemorate Lassard's years of service as he leaves the force; however, a luggage mix-up puts the clumsy cops in the middle of a massive illegal arms deal. Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach has a rating of 0% on rottentomatoes.com.
7. A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child
This is easily the darkest film of the franchise tone wise, but also one of the more silly ones as well. The fifth installment of the popular franchise focuses on Alice (played by Lisa Wilcox), a survivor of the fourth, who believes Freddy Krueger (played by Robert Englund) has been eliminated for good. She optimistically hopes to start a life with fellow survivor Dan (played by Danny Hassel). The nightmares begin soon enough, though, and Alice learns she is pregnant. When her friends start dying, Alice suspects that Freddy is using the fetus within her as a weapon. Can she fight the demon while protecting her unborn child? A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child has a rating of 33% on rottentomtoes.com.
6. Superman Returns
Eventhough the film does have a bad ending, the film isn't the steaming pile of crap everyone thinks it is. While Lex Luthor (played by Kevin Spacey) plots to destroy him once and for all, the Man of Steel (played by Brandon Routh) returns after a long absence to a much-changed world. Lois Lane (played by Kate Bosworth) has moved on with her life, and society has learned to survive without him. Superman must find a way to reconnect with her and find his place in a world that may no longer need him. Superman Returns has a rating of 76% on rottentomatoes.com.
5. Fast Five
Eventhough it isn't the film that restarted the franchise, it is the film that turned the franchise into what it is today. Ever since ex-cop Brian O'Conner (played by Paul Walker) and Mia Torretto (played by Jordana Brewster) broke her brother Dom (played by Vin Diesel) out of custody, they've traveled border to border to evade authorities. In Rio de Janeiro, they must do one final job before they can gain their freedom for good. Assembling their elite team of car racers, Brian and Dom know they must confront the corrupt businessman who wants them dead, before the federal agent (played by Dwayne Johnson) on their trail finds them. Fast Five has a rating of 78% on rottentomatoes.com.
4. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Eventhough it is my least favorite film, it setups up the home stretch for one of the greatest franchises of all-time. Now in his fifth year at Hogwarts, Harry (played by Daniel Radcliffe) learns that many in the wizarding community do not know the truth of his encounter with Lord Voldemort. Cornelius Fudge (played by Robert Hardy), minister of Magic, appoints his toady, Dolores Umbridge (played by Imelda Staunton), as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, for he fears that professor Dumbledore (played by Michael Gambon) will take his job. But her teaching is deficient and her methods, cruel, so Harry prepares a group of students to defend the school against a rising tide of evil. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has a rating of 97% on rottentomatoes.com.
3. Mission Impossible: Rouge Nation
This film is a marvelous action film with Tom Cruise once again raising the stakes when it comes to action scenes. With the IMF now disbanded and Ethan Hunt (played by Tom Cruise) out in the cold, a new threat -- called the Syndicate -- soon emerges. The Syndicate is a network of highly skilled operatives who are dedicated to establishing a new world order via an escalating series of terrorist attacks. Faced with what may be the most impossible mission yet, Ethan gathers his team and joins forces with Ilsa Faust (played by Rebecca Ferguson), a disavowed British agent who may or may not be a member of this deadly rogue nation. Mission Impossible: Rouge Nation has a rating of 93% on rottentomatoes.com.
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Eventhough it is my least favorite of the original trilogy, it is still a perfect film in every aspect. The sequel to the Golden Globe-nominated and AFI Award-winning "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Two Towers" follows the continuing quest of Frodo (played by Elijah Wood) and the Fellowship to destroy the One Ring. Frodo and Sam (played by Sean Astin) discover they are being followed by the mysterious Gollum (played by Andy Serkis). Aragorn (played by Viggo Mortensen), the Elf archer Legolas (played by Orlando Bllom) and Gimli the Dwarf (played by John Rhys-Daviesencounter the besieged Rohan kingdom, whose once great King Theoden (played by Bernard Hill) has fallen under Saruman (played by Christopher Lee)'s deadly spell. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers was nominated for 6 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Visual Effects, Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing while winning 2 (Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Editing ) and it has a rating of 96% on rottentomatoes.com.
1. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
I am one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world (but not to big in the sense I don't overly obsess over all of the merchandise). The adventure continues in this "Star Wars" sequel. Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill), Han Solo (played by Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (played by Carrie Fisher) and Chewbacca (played by Peter Mayhew) face attack by the Imperial forces and its AT-AT walkers on the ice planet Hoth. While Han and Leia escape in the Millennium Falcon, Luke travels to Dagobah in search of Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz). Only with the Jedi master's help will Luke survive when the dark side of the Force beckons him into the ultimate duel with Darth Vader (played by David Prowse and voiced by James Earl Jones).Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back was nominated for 3 Academy Awards including Best Sound Mixing, Best Original Score and Best Production Design while winning 1 for Best Sound Mixing it has a rating of 97% on rottentomatoes.com.
So ladies and gentlemen what are some of your favorite 5th films in a franchise and what do you think of my list? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.
Jonah Sparks
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