Building a connected universe is more vital than single focused narratives in modern franchise world building. A true trilogy is hard to come by these days. The days of a huge, epic threequel that concludes a series on a final note, such as The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King or The Dark Knight Rises, seem a long way away in today’s world. Even franchises like Bourne, Toy Story, and The Matrix, which appeared to have ended wonderfully, have recently gotten underrated threequels.
Many fans adore the threequels. However, some threequels did not receive a fair reception upon their initial release; whether they were commercial failures or were ignored by their audiences, these films deserve another chance. Here are seven threequels that are far superior to their reputations.
1. Rocky III (1982)
Director- Sylvester Stallone
In this hugely popular sequel, Sylvester Stallone reprises the role that made him famous. Rocky III opens with the legendary Italian Stallion, whose image may be found on everything from pinball machines to billboards. Balboa loses his title to teenage gangster Clubber Lang. He mistakenly kills Rocky’s beloved trainer Mickey before their first championship fight due to fame and complacency. He must reclaim his family’s affection and support. As well as the elusive “eye of the tiger,” the burning desire to defeat the opponent, which former nemesis Apollo Creed teaches him throughout the film’s training session. Balboa fights Lang for the second time toward the finish of the game.
2. The Enforcer (1976)
Director- James Fargo
Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan, a fierce San Francisco cop, is pitted against a group of merciless terrorists known as the “People’s Revolutionary Strike Force”. Three years after the events of Magnum Force (1973). As the heavily armed extremist group declares war on the city with their stolen explosive devices and rocket launchers. A scolded Callahan has no choice but to reluctantly join forces with Inspector Kate Moore, a newly promoted cop. The mayor is in great danger once again. So Harry will have to play even dirtier than before if he wants to succeed. However, he must first become accustomed to working with women.
3. Day Of The Dead (1985)
Director- George A. Romero
The Dead have conquered the world, with only a few humans still unaffected. One group of scientists and military personnel hiding in a Florida bunker tries to contact other survivors of the zombie apocalypse, but they are completely alone in this new world. Desperately seeking a cure, the scientists lose the military’s trust, leading in a race against death as the zombies take control of the institution. Their only hope now is common sense.
4. Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)
Director(s)- George Miller, George Oglivie
Max Rockatansky, a former officer of the tough Main Force Patrol, is left for dead in the harsh deserts of post-nuclear Australia after defeating Lord Humungus’ barbarian horde of bikers in Mad Max 2 (1981). He stumbles upon Bartertown, a remote market-town outpost in the middle of the dry Wasteland and the domain of the autocratic Queen Aunty Entity. There, a terrible task awaits Max, who must compete in a violent death match with the hideous symbiotic entity, the Master/Blaster, in exchange for his freedom and sustenance. However, an unforeseen complication following the brutal fight in the stronghold’s combat arena, The Thunderdome, will exile Max once more into the vast wilderness, where he will discover The Lost Tribe, a peaceful haven of marooned children who survive on their own while waiting for the legendary Captain Walker’s arrival.
5. Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
Director- Richard Donner
Billy Phelps is arrested by Los Angeles police sergeant Roger Murtaugh and his colleague, Sergeant Martin Riggs, for attempting to loot an armoured truck, just 8 days before Murtaugh is set to retire. Lieutenant Jack Edward Travis, a nasty former cop who now sells stolen guns from evidence storage facilities, murders Billy in the questioning room. Riggs and Murtaugh team up with Internal Affairs Division Sergeant Lorna Cole to investigate Travis. When Leo Getz, who is now a licenced real estate agent, sees Travis’ face on a paused videotape and says he recognises him, he becomes involved. Lorna makes Riggs fall in love with her.
6. Psycho III (1986)
Director- Anthony Perkins
Billy Phelps is arrested by Los Angeles police sergeant Roger Murtaugh and his colleague, Sergeant Martin Riggs, for attempting to loot an armoured truck, just 8 days before Murtaugh is set to retire. Lieutenant Jack Edward Travis, a nasty former cop who now sells stolen guns from evidence storage facilities, murders Billy in the questioning room. Riggs and Murtaugh team up with Internal Affairs Division Sergeant Lorna Cole to investigate Travis. When Leo Getz, who is now a licenced real estate agent, sees Travis’ face on a paused videotape and says he recognises him, he becomes involved. Lorna makes Riggs fall in love with her.
7. Clear And Present Danger (1994)
Director- Philip Joyce
The evil guys this time are in Jack Ryan’s own administration. Ryan is appointed acting CIA Deputy Director of Intelligence when Admiral James Greer becomes ill with cancer. One of the president’s closest friends and his family are assassinated in their sleep by what look to be drug gangs, almost before he can catch his breath in his new post. Ryan is sent to look into the matter, but he has no idea that the CIA has already dispatched a secret field operative to Colombia to lead an illegal paramilitary unit against the cartels.
The Sting was an exciting, smart caper film with a great balance of suspense and action. Underrated Threequel movies don’t get the respect that they deserve. Underrated Threequel movies should be (re)watched as well.
