Sexy Matt's Top 10 3rd Movies

I think trilogies are strange creatures, but many are alike in a somewhat formulaic way.

The first film is testing the waters. It pushes the envelope a little bit but doesn't try too hard.

The second film gets right what the first got wrong. It catches itself and realizes its potential.

The third film is an all-out, try-hard banger. Throw in all the shit we didn't feel would fit in the first two or just [frick] up everything we built in the first two.

Trilogies fitting this pattern include: The Dark Knight, Spider-Man, The Godfather, Star Wars, and Captain America (in a different, positive way yet still applicable).

I feel many franchises fit this, but it is clearly not a bulletproof theory.

Hell, a lot of trilogies are almost the opposite in that the second film is a huge letdown and they bring it right back to the top with the third. While I disagree with many people's opinions in regard to these specific trilogies, this can apply to Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones, and Mission Impossible. I disagree in the sense that I find the second film in these franchises to be the most enjoyable, but to each his own I suppose. Although, I would completely agree if someone said that about Toy Story.

Some trilogies start off strong and just gradually keep embarrassing themselves more and more (looking at you Iron Man and Matrix).

I do change my mind a lot so this isn't official:
1) Toy Story 3
2) The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
3) Captain America: Civil War
4) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
5) Skyfall
6) Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
7) Kung Fu Panda 3
8) The Dark Knight Rises
9) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
10) Madagasar 3: Europe's Most Wanted