25 Best Reviewed Franchise Films Of The 21st Century (According To Metacritic)

7. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (87)

Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
New Line Cinema

It's a testament to the strength and power of Peter Jackson's creative vision that the least well-received entry of his first Middle-earth trilogy is still a significant cut above virtually every other franchise film of the past two decades, one of the defining central chapters in cinematic history.

With the Fellowship scattered to the wind, it showcased the director's ability to track multiple storylines with impressive clarity and weight - while, after a brief shadow-shrouded cameo in the first film, it introduced the world to Andy Serkis' original mo-cap masterpiece Gollum.

Contributor

Something of a culture vulture, Mr Steel can historically be found in three places; the local cinema, the local stadium or the local chip shop. He is an avowed fan of franchise films, amateur cricket and power-chords.