Red Riding Trilogy (2010) R

In the Year of Our Lord 1974:
Based on a novel by David Peace; which is inspired by true events. Part 1 is the best of the three, thanks to a fantastic performance by Andrew Garfield (The Social Network, Never Let Me Go). He plays Eddie Dunford, a young journalist who digs maybe a little too deep into a string of murders. He discovers secrets that involve the police and other powerful figures in England. He has no idea what he's getting himself into. Part 1 starts out a little slow, but the last 30 minutes are as good as anything I've seen this year. His unplanned love interest is the wonderful Rebecca Hall (The Prestige, The Town). There are so many great performances in this trilogy. Sean Bean (GoldenEye, North Country) is a corrupt businessman who has the authorities in his back pocket. Also along for the ride are John Henshaw, Edie Marsan (Sherlock Holmes), Robert Sheehan (Season of the Witch), Warren Clarke (A Clockwork Orange), and David Morrissey (The Reaping, The Other Boleyn Girl). What's great about this trilogy is that everyone makes appearances in all three films; despite three different directors. All three parts were adapted for the screen by Tony Grisoni (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Tideland). Part 1 is directed by Julian Jarrold (Becoming Jane, Kinky Boots). B

In the Year of Our Lord 1980:
The killer still hasn't been caught after six years, but the death toll continues to grow. The case is turned over to criminal investigator Peter Hunter, played by Paddy Considine (The Bourne Ultimatum, Cinderella Man). Like Dunford before him, he begins to put pieces of the puzzle together, and they link to the authorities. Clarke, Morrissey, Marsan, Sheehan, Garfield and others are back for Part 2. Some new faces are Peter Mullan (Children of Men, Trainspotting), James Fox (Sherlock Holmes, Sexy Beast), Sean Harris (Harry Brown), Maxine Peake, and Joseph Mawle. Harris and Mawle have some fantastic scenes in this film. Part 2 is directed by James Marsh (Man on Wire, Wisconsin Death Trip). It's the weakest of the three films, but still very enjoyable. It lags a little in the middle of the film, but the end is worth the wait. It's impossible not to catch the third and final chapter. C+

In the Year of Our Lord 1983:
They catch the "ripper," but yet another woman is murdered in 1983. David Morrissey, who had small roles in the previous two films, must find out who did it. He starts to doubt if he put the right man in prison. He has been somewhat of a crooked cop, as he turned a cold shoulder to what has gone on over the years. As he unravels a few mysteries, his life becomes in danger. There's a good addition to the trilogy with Mark Addy (A Knight's Tale, The Order). Robert Sheehan also has a larger role in Part 3. He's a sensational young actor to look out for in the future. Everyone who has appeared in the first two films, gets brought back in for the third, and final chapter. Things finally get put into perspective in this finale. An unlikely killer is revealed, but he's not alone in this mass cover up that has spanned over a decade. Part 3 is directed by Anand Tucker (Hilary and Jackie, Shopgirl). Part 3 isn't quite as good as Part 1, but it's more fulfilling when the mystery is finally solved. This is one of the best trilogies I've ever come across. Just my personal opinion, but I found this more rewarding than say, The Lord of the Rings trilogy. B-