That doesn't mean that these films are altogether terrible. After all, one of the best genre films of recent years -- Black Panther -- was the product of the enormous Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Of course, many film series overstay their welcome (Pirates of the Caribbean, Transformers etc.) others never become a full-fledged franchise after just a couple solid outings. For me, a franchise should constitute at least three films, should be successful enough to have achieved a certain kind of iconic status, and to be a favorite (of mine at least) it should have preserved a very high level of quality throughout a significant portion of its run.
That standard hurts a lot of horror series that I enjoy but don't exactly respect, and again some films don't fit neatly into this construct. Is Blade Runner a franchise? Is Ghostbusters? I guess. But off the top of my head, these are the films that come to mind...
Iron Man/Captain America - This one is a bit of a cheat, since the Marvel universe has grown so big and enveloped so many characters. Still, I would argue that the Iron Man films and Captain America films have had the most distinct tones and character work. Robert Downey, Jr's cocksure Tony Stark has evolved considerably over three films and a myriad of side projects. It speaks volumes that I am already dreading the prospect of his character getting killed off in the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War, since his performance is one of the great stars of the last decade. Especially in the brooding Winter Soldier, but also in follow up films, the Captain America movies have been some of the only Marvel movies (until Black Panther) to address real world concerns is a smart way.
The original Star Wars trilogy - This trilogy is so good, so satisfying that to this day they loom like a shadow over not just every new Star Wars film but every pop action event film that has come in its wake. They are all paced wonderfully, flow into each other beautifully, and tell a simple accessible story in an engaging, exciting and heartfelt way. I discover new little moments I love every time I see them and they benefit enormously because of the limits of technology, their charm is in their shagginess.
The Godfather films - It's a popular punchline to pile on Part III, and while it in no way reaches the peaks of the original and its sequel, it is still a sumptuous, worthy gangster film. The first two films, however, are two of the best, most savage documents of American greed and hubris. I am still struck by the audaciousness of structuring an epic success story around a ruthless crime family. These are not good people, but you can't take your eyes off them.
The Ocean's trilogy - These are movies that I get sucked into whenever I see them. I stumble upon one of them on cable, I settle in and watch. The first one is a pop masterpiece. The second, I think, is a misunderstood, experimental riff on the genre. And the third, is a loving, even sentimental send-off. Although these films only had a six year run, they were a wonderfully diverting source of joy for me at a time that was anything but joyful in the real world.
The Back to the Future movies - It's wild to me that these movies are so underrated. You'd have to live under a rock to be unfamiliar with the first one, which is just about as close to flawless a blockbuster can get, but I've also always been a fan of the weirder, darker Part II which has even more fun with the time travel premise. Sure, Part III feels less consequential, and I've watched it the least, but I still think it's a pretty fun little western movie and I like how it gives Doc Brown a romance of his own.
The Dark Knight trilogy - Although I'll always be more partial to Tim Burton's version of Batman, there's no denying the craft and thematic continuity of Christopher Nolan's trilogy of films about the Caped Crusader. I hold an unpopular opinion in that I enjoy the latter to movies more than Batman Begins, although I like that one too. These are epic, muscular, and yes, a little problematic films, but they are too interesting to be dismissed as pure genre fluff.
The Man with no Name films - The movies that made Clint Eastwood a legend are still the epitome of a kind of laconic 60's cool. In all three, Eastwood has never been more handsome and mysterious -- of course, he does have names in the films, sort of. But that's not the point. These films are all about style and sensational bursts of violence. The best Leone film -- Once Upon a Time in the West -- came after, but these three movies are probably the next greatest spaghetti westerns ever made.
Toy Story movies - These incredibly moving films have such a perfect arc (especially the third film) that I am a little troubled that a fourth film is on the way. Still, this is the sturdiest, most reliable series of animated films. Woody and Buzz have become our friends over twenty-plus years and their struggle to maintain their relevance is reflect of the human spirit at its most vulnerable. These movies are deep.
Mad Max series - There are some who have quibbles with Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, but I am a big fan of all three of George Miller's original post-apocalyptic Mad Max films starring Mel Gibson. And somehow, against the odds, his much-delayed fourth entry -- Mad Max: Fury Road -- is the best in my opinion. All of these films are action spectacles of the first order, but they also sneak in some subtle political commentary about our obsession with oil and the subjugation of the poor, which is not too shabby.
Rocky films - This franchise has always held a very special place in my heart. The original has always held special meaning for my wife and I, and I actually think all of the follow-ups except for the dreary part V are either genuinely good or great camp. For those keeping score Rocky II, Rocky Balboa and Creed are all solid to substantial sequels. Rocky III and Rocky IV are great but ludicrous, and part V is the dud. Whatever his flaws as a human being, Sylvester Stallone did create something inspirational and indelible with Rocky, and nothing will erase that.
Mission: Impossible - This is another series that has rarely ever erred as far as I'm concerned. Yes, Mission: Impossible II is bloated and dated, but the original is a Brian de Palma tour de force. The underrated Mission: Impossible III proved that J.J. Abrams was a legit big screen talent. And the last two entries -- Ghost Protocol and Rogue Nation -- have really upped the stunts ante to a fantastic degree despite their star's advanced age. I do honestly think Tom Cruise is going to die one day during the making of these, but what a run he's ad.
Indiana Jones - Speaking of advanced age. Sigh. I know that a lot of people can't get past the disappointment over the fourth entry (even that name is way too long) and while I don't revile that film as a much as some people, it definitely got a lot wrong about what fans loved so much about the first three adventure films. Who knows what this long gestating fifth entry will be, especially since Harrison Ford is pushing 80! But, these films are real landmarks for their time and the height of '80s roller-coaster filmmaking. Even though some of the cultural bits don't age well, these are some undeniably fun movies.
The new Planet of the Apes - I was as skeptical as anyone when this franchise got rebooted for a second time a few years ago, but modern technology and ambitious storytelling combined with a remarkable series of motion capture performances from Andy Serkis has led to a terrific series of intense action films. These films are so good that you sometimes lose sight of the insanity of watching CGI apes communicate with subtitles, and yet it somehow mostly works because these movies are committed to their premise and really sell it.
Alien 1-3/Terminator 1-3/Die Hard 1-3 - These are all series that just barely made the cut for me because I really like the first three installments of each of them. Sure, Terminator 3 is terminally stupid, but it's entertaining. And yes, Alien 3 suffers from studio interventions, it's still got some really great ideas and moments in it. All these series go seriously wrong in subsequent films and I fear will never recover their former glory.
James Bond - This is the most long-running, and in my opinion, consistently great franchise there is. It's weathered major casting changes and huge swings in style and taste to only emerge as vital and appealing as ever. Tremendous credit goes to the Daniel Craig era for rebranding and re-grounding the character for new generation. While I wish these films still came out at a brisk two-year clip, I appreciate how old fashioned these films are (real stunts) and how much it upholds the traditions set up for the series and its mercurial lead character. I will never tire of 007.
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