Fantasy is becoming a new phenomenon on the big screen again, after being such an integral part of the industry in the 80s and 90s. For a time, it seemed as if science fiction, drama, and even comedy might take over, and then superhero epics came along. Now, in part due to the rise of great fantasy television, there is a wealth of new projects heading to the big screen, hoping to make a mark on the beautiful genre.
The true measure of whether a fantasy film has made an impact is in its final act. Because if audiences leave the cinema enthused, puzzled, or perhaps raring to head into another spectacle, then the movie has likely done its job. Because there are a great many fantasy movies, from across the genre, that fans probably can’t remember the ending of. There are very few that boast a final act as powerful as these.
Star Wars Crafted An Iconic Moment
The debate can rage on whether the space opera known as Star Wars is a sci-fi epic or a fantasy saga, yet it really has elements of both. After all, the movie traces the key tropes of any good fantasy film, from introducing a wizened wizard to pitting pure good against pure evil, in a pretty pure interpretation of the genre at its core.
The final act of Star Wars, which was later given the title A New Hope, is one that sent fans into overdrive and left global audiences wanting more. Luke Skywalker’s perfect shot and the destruction of the first Death Star gave the good guys a much-needed win, but the finale very much acts as a first step to something more. The death of Ben Kenobi, leading into that conclusion, only raised the stakes. It’s an iconic ending and one that cannot be matched.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Went To Unexpected New Realms
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny isn’t the most loved film from the franchise. Nor did it perform financially quite as expected. Yet, there is something to be said about the movie’s final act. Because, regardless of whether readers may like or loathe the film, it did present an interesting conundrum for Doctor Jones to unravel, and one that almost bested him.
The fact that time travel was finally brought into the franchise in this way was a genius idea. Add to that the fact that Indy himself was hellbent on staying in the very history he spent his whole life researching, and suddenly the final act is given a very personal twist. There are great action sequences here, but this character-driven conclusion had everyone contemplating what Jones should have done.
Wicked Creates A Compelling Cliffhanger
Wicked is another recent addition to the fantasy landscape, but one that very much made an immediate impact. Musical lovers adored this interpretation of the stage show, even if there were some who questioned whether it should be split into two acts at all. That is the great challenge of Wicked and a reason why its success is impressive. Because the third act of the film is only the second of the stage show.
Nonetheless, Wicked delivers on the spectacle and drama needed to conclude the movie with a bang, and ‘Defying Gravity’ weaves its magic as it always does. Somehow, the third act of Wicked really works, especially as The Wizard of Oz himself is revealed to be the true enemy of this classic retelling. It’s a jaw-dropping twist for those unaware of the original show.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe Ends With A Mystery
The very first Narnia picture got everything right. The casting was superb, the energy of the piece was stellar, and the script never lost its momentum. The finale of the film builds towards the grand battle and the resettling of the lead character’s life. Indeed, after such an impressive, jaw-dropping action sequence, it’s almost impossible to consider that something even more heart-wrenching awaits.
But Narnia portrays the kids getting older, living in a fantasy land until they eventually remember to return home. Suddenly, their lives return to normal, and there is a slight bit of doubt that Narnia existed at all. The third act has so many layers, although a great deal of credit has to be given to the original novel.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest Created A Shocking Twist
Pirates of the Caribbean was one of those franchises that the critics were mixed on, but audiences loved. And for the third act of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, there was a history-making moment that one just had to be in the cinema for. Because the supposed death of Captain Jack Sparrow, combined with the return of Captain Barbossa, was simply movie magic.
Up until that point, the third act built towards a big battle and a potential sacrifice. The fact that it is Jack who goes down with the Kraken was shocking enough, but the way the music swells as Barbossa reveals himself as Jack’s hero was awe-inspiring. Never had hype for a third film in a fantasy franchise been built in such an effortless way.
Shrek 2 Goes Big
Shrek is an instant masterpiece that has been studied for generations since its release. There is an argument to be made that Shrek 2 is the superior movie, though, at least from a plot and character development perspective. The idea that Shrek would want to turn himself into a human, putting a spin on the original premise, is a really interesting idea to explore.
The final act of Shrek 2 has a lot going on. There’s a ticking timer ready to pull Shrek’s life apart. It’s unclear whether he will remain a man or an ogre. There’s a Fairy Godmother that still needs defeating. There’s even a giant Gingerbread man heading into battle. Somehow, the film pulls everything together with a neat bow, in a really satisfying character arc.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Played With Time
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is commonly referenced as the greatest of the series. It seems absurd to suggest that any final act of the series can beat the grand finale, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. However, the way in which Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban tackles the time travel mechanic really is special.
Because fans see the same sequence of events play out again, but from a very different perspective. Buckbeak is saved, Harry faces down the Dementors, and there’s finally a reveal concerning Peter Pettigrew’s apparent demise. There are a lot of twists to get through, but the movie dances through them, with some necessary changes from the books supporting the script.
Coco Comes To A Heartbreaking Conclusion
Coco is a beautiful PIXAR film that explores the land of the dead and reunites the film’s hero, Miguel, with his family in the afterlife. It’s all about music and art and memory. That’s really at the heart of this film, how loved ones are remembered. Throughout the movie, there is a source of tension, as Coco’s great-great-grandfather begins to fade from the land beyond.
The third act of the movie is therefore a rush to return home and remind Coco’s great-grandmother of her own father, through the song ‘Remember Me.’ It’s a touching moment that will leave anyone in tears, and while Mama Coco may pass on at the end of the film, there’s a real warmth to the way she, too, is remembered. This isn’t about big action moments, but rather, quieter family scenes.
Edward Scissorhands Forges New Mythology
Edward Scissorhands might not be a traditional fantasy film, but it is nonetheless part of a subgenre and is full of Tim Burton’s classic gothic twists. The movie is based on the idea of an outsider being taken advantage of and then disposed of when he is no longer useful. The final act of the movie is therefore about attempting to save Edward Scissorhands.
He is vilified and driven out of town, and everything comes to a crescendo when he is forced to defend himself. But it’s the final note of the film that is particularly compelling as it mythologizes the character further. It’s not a happy ending, but instead, Edward lives out his days in isolation, perhaps hoping that he will soon be accepted again.
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Completed A Saga
The Lord of the Rings is without a doubt the greatest fantasy trilogy of all time, both on the page and on the screen. It is a gorgeous display of cinematic artistry, and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King rightfully deserves all of its accolades and Oscars. The final act of the film has so much to d,o but manages to tick every box.
It shows the final battle and has Frodo return to the Shire, wrapping up this epic in a neat manner. While some elements were left out of the book, because the film would simply run forever, this was a fantastic way to bring about a close to this chapter. It’s hard to live up to expectations, but this jaw-dropping final act delivers in spades.