Fantasy Series

I have always found fantasy films interesting, as well as do a lot of other people as clear from the overwhelming gravitation of sci-fi, comic, paranormal and other fantasy type of movies, conventions and other venues.

1. Twilight 2008, Twilight New Moon 2009, Twilight Eclipse 2010, Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1 2011, Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2 2012-  is a romance fantasy series based on the love spawned from a mortal young girl who meets and falls in love with a vampire young man.

The first movie Twilight - introduces how Bella (Kristen Stewart) met Edward (Robert Pattinson) and not how they fell in love but the history of the vampire family known as the Cullens. It also highlights the Cullens efforts to protect Bella from a separate group of traveling vicious vampires.

Twilight New Moon - Highlights Bella's depression upon learning of the Cullen's departure from the area. The movie also focuses on her friendship with the werewolf Jacob (Taylor Lautner) , along with the efforts of how Jacob and the other werewolves from his tribe agree to protect Bella from a rogue herd of vampires.

Twilight Eclipse - is based on how Bella comes to understand the complications that marrying a vampire (Edward) may have on everyone and shows how the vampires along with the werewolves join to form an alliance to protect Bella.

Twilight Breaking Dawn 1 - Highlights the marriage of Bella to Edward, as well as the pregnancy of Bella and the challenges of carrying a half mortal and half vampire child has upon Bella.

Twilight Breaking Dawn 2 -  the movie focuses on Bella's new transformation into a vampire, and the efforts of the Cullen family along with the werewolves to protect their young daughter from Volturi who feel she is an abomination.

I really found the twilight series interesting and full of drama, action and romance I can only hope that someday they reprise the characters in a sequel of some kind.

2.  Underworld 2003, Underworld Evolution 2006, Underworld Rise of the Lycans 2009, Underworld Awakening 2012,  Underworld Blood War 2016 - The Underworld series are action, horror fantasy films and based on a post war stricken world over run by vampires and werewolves known as Lycans.

The first movie Underworld -  highlights a vampire named Selene (Kate Beckinsale) who learns that the Lycans are pursuing a human named Michael Corvin for experimentation looking for a cure from the virus that plaques the creatures.  The series is packed with action and so many history details about how the vampires and Lycans came to be enemies. I can only say this is a fantastic thrill ride that had me on the edge of my seat.

Underworld Evolution - continues the story of Michael Corvin and how Selene learns that Markus is the first vampire and that he plans to free his brother the first werewolf. The sorted details of the series continues.

Underworld Rise of the Lycans - continues to based on the history behind the vampires, Lycans and virus that plaques them. However this film highlights the tragic story of one of the first Lycans that was plagued with the virus Lucian who fell in love with Viktor's daughter Sonja who had become pregnant with Lucian's child.  Viktor found out and killed his daughter to protect blending of the species which sparked the revolt against the vampires by Lucian.

Underworld Awakening - continues the saga after Selene is awakened and escapes imprisonment only to find out that she has had a daughter half vampire and half Lycan, leaving Selene determined to find her daughter.  Furthermore after learning of the existence of the vampires and Lycans the humans have waged an all out war against any immortal creatures. 

Underworld Blood Wars - highlights the fact that Selene is on the run from both the vampires who want to get revenge for the death of Viktor and the Lycans who want her daughter in hopes that her blood will make an army of hybrid vampire Lycans.

All of the Underworld films are well worth watching and there is some speculation if there will be a sixth installment.

3. The Shape of Water 2017 - is a fantasy romance drama based on the story of this young mute woman who works for a high security government lab and falls in love for a captured humanoid sea creature.  Although the movie might sound to far fetched in fantasy to be taken seriously, I can attest to the film being exceptionally written with a superb cast.  While I do not want to tell too much of the storyline I will say that the story has a drama filled romance aspect that draws the viewer in and keeps you on the edge of your seat.  Let me know if you enjoy this film as much as I did..


4. Jurassic Park 1993 - is a sci-fi fantasy movie based on a newly built ill-fated theme park that is filled with prehistoric animals.  A select group of specialists in their field have been brought to the park to view the cloned species however upon entering they learn they have not only cloned vegetable eaters but carnivores and may have crossed some of their DNA which has disastrous results.  Upon release of the film Jurassic Park, it quickly became a huge hit and spawned sequels .. all of which have done extremely well. All of the films are filled with dramatic action scenes and outstanding visual effects.  I urge you to watch all the movies and let me know what you think of each of them.

The Lost World Jurassic Park 1997,  Jurassic Park III 2001, Jurassic World 2015, Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom 2018, and Jurassic World 3 is scheduled to be released in 2021.


5.  Honorable mention fantasy driven films from history, again I want to stress these are only based on my opinion.  

Star Wars - The original Star Wars premiered in 1977 and started a worldwide phenomenon. After the mega success of the original it was quickly followed by sequels, The Empire Strikes Back 1980, Return of the Jedi 1983, which was quickly deemed as the trilogy.  After which others films have been released The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith  all released as prequel trilogy, and The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and Star Wars Episode IX is scheduled to be released in December 2019 dubbed as sequel trilogy.  There have also been three other stand alone movies released The Clone Wars, Rogue One, and Solo A Star Wars Story.  The most outstanding memory I have of these films are that they all played a huge part of the lives of every man I have ever known including my son.  When I married my first husband my stepson was completely engrossed with the original Star Wars and years later in 1990 when I had a son the series quickly became his favorite as well.  I can attest while I have seen only some of the films almost every man who I know still to this day are completely enamored by the series.
________________________________________________________________________________

J. R. R. Tolkien books became a fantasy movie series and while at first were animated (The Hobbit 1977), the series quickly became live action and were released consecutively.  Lord of the Rings Trilogy - The Fellowship of the Ring 2001,  The Two Towers 2002, The Return of the King 2003.  After that followed The Hunt for Gollum 2009,  Born of Hope 2009.  Than came The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey 2012, The Hobbit The Desolation of Smaug 2013, The Hobbit The Battle of the Five Armies 2014 known as The Hobbit Trilogy..

Again almost every man I have ever known including my son love these movies and are completely engrossed in the characters and story of each of them.  I know they are set to release another movie spawned by J. R. R. Tolkien works titled The Silmarillion Return of Sauron in 2019 which will most likely spur more films in the future. 
_______________________________________________________________________________

Harry Potter film series is based on the J. K. Rowling Harry Potter novels.  The first movie was Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 2001, followed by Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 2002, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 2004, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 2005, Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix 2007, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 2009, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 2010, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 2011

I have to admit it would be very difficult for me to explain all the Harry Potter series however what I can tell you is that Harry Potter is an orphaned boy who is living with his aunt and uncle, and at age 11 a giant visits him and tells him he has magical skills.  He also tells Harry that his parents were murdered by an evil wizard, and Harry is to come to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to learn magic.  During the time Harry is at Hogwarts he becomes friends with other schoolmates and they embark on many tales through the series. 

I can also tell you that the Harry Potter series has a huge fan following, the movies are filled with fantasy and drama.  The whole series is engaging and beloved by fans all over the world. 
________________________________________________________________________________

The Wizard of Oz 1939 is for me timeless and really needs no explanation.  I remember watching this movie multiple times throughout the years and not to long ago I was fortunately enough to watch it with my granddaughter who just as my own children was completely awe-struck at the characters, and story.  

Labyrinth 1986 is another fantasy film that probably needs no introduction. The movie is a musical fantasy was directed by Jim Henson and is filled with a cast of puppet characters and features David Bowie as the live action Goblin King.  My whole family loves this film and I hear they intend to release a Labyrinth 2 film which I am sure many fans are looking forward to. 

The Neverending Story 1984 is another film series that our whole family loves..  The film is filled with a cast of lovable characters like that of the Labyrinth but includes live action.  The sequels - The Next Chapter 1990, Escape from Fantasia 1994 likewise finish the series.  While these films are geared to children they are full charm for all ages. 

The Dark Crystal 1982 is a dark children fantasy if there is such a group.  I remember watching this film with my kids when it was released and being as captivated as they were with the cast of characters and the storyline which was directed by Jim Henson.  The story is very hard to put into words but I can tell you that it shows a good vs evil struggle and is full of intrigue and drama.  Well worth watching for all ages.  The Dark Crystal -Age of Resistance is scheduled to premiere on Netflix in Feb 2019 .. 

Legend 1985 - is another dark fantasy film that enchanted my whole family many years ago.  The story is based on a boy Jack (played by Tom Cruise) that learns Darkness and Goblins have been sent to kill unicorns, the magical creatures that guard the light.  The goblins take the horns to Darkness who is trying to destroy the light.  A girl Lily distracts Jack and after another unicorn is slain the world begins to change to winter. Fantasy abounds in this tale of light and eternal darkness as the pair of them rush to save the world from Darkness.