Ignoring Sequels in a Collection or Canon

[StingingVelvet]

Seems I am pretty rare around here for doing this, maybe. Just wondering how people feel. I often only buy the first movie in a series, or maybe the first two or something, and ignore the rest. Not just ignore them as far as owning them, but I pretend they don't exist.

For example I own Planet of the Apes but I did not buy the 5-pack, and I ignore the other movies. In my head Taylor and Nova wandered up that beach, started a new human village, trained their kids to talk and started changing humanity.

Highlander. There are no sequels! He won the prize, he's mortal, he lives out his days with his lady in Scotland.

Terminator and Terminator 2 are the best 2-movie series ever! Glad they never made any more after that!

Etc. etc.

Can you ignore the OCD of collecting or the need to canonize fiction and only own some of the movies, and only consider those movies in your own personal mind? Lay it on me.

[popeflick]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Seems I am pretty rare around here for doing this, maybe. Just wondering how people feel. I often only buy the first movie in a series, or maybe the first two or something, and ignore the rest. Not just ignore them as far as owning them, but I pretend they don't exist.

For example I own Planet of the Apes but I did not buy the 5-pack, and I ignore the other movies. In my head Taylor and Nova wandered up that beach, started a new human village, trained their kids to talk and started changing humanity.

Highlander. There are no sequels! He won the prize, he's mortal, he lives out his days with his lady in Scotland.

Terminator and Terminator 2 are the best 2-movie series ever! Glad they never made any more after that!

Etc. etc.

Can you ignore the OCD of collecting or the need to canonize fiction and only own some of the movies, and only consider those movies in your own personal mind? Lay it on me.

They're all imaginary stories. But if they're released then they're part of the story. So you ignore them, so what? But replacing them in your head seems rather I dunno, immature? Kind of the equivelant of sticking your fingers in your ears and saying la la la. It's one thing when it retconned out like Superman Returns seems to have done to 3&4 since it was done by the studio but doing it in your own head is different. Odd. And yeah if you don't like them why buy them but that's obvious.

I suppose with the prevelance of directors cuts it muddies the waters. I prefer the DC of Conquest and Alien 3 work print but never considered which "really" happened because neither of them did.

[dickdarlington]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

For example I own Planet of the Apes but I did not buy the 5-pack, and I ignore the other movies. In my head Taylor and Nova wandered up that beach, started a new human village, trained their kids to talk and started changing humanity.

Can you ignore the OCD of collecting or the need to canonize fiction and only own some of the movies, and only consider those movies in your own personal mind? Lay it on me.

No, if given the opportunity, I will purchase the entire franchise of a specific film series even if there are entries in said franchise that I might not like.

In the case of the Planet of the Apes set (in which I own the original five-disc set in the now discontinued book set), its weird that you consider only the first film cannon when Escape and Conquest are the two best entries in the franchise.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by popeflick

They're all imaginary stories. But if they're released then they're part of the story. So you ignore them, so what? But replacing them in your head seems rather I dunno, immature? Kind of the equivelant of sticking your fingers in your ears and saying la la la. It's one thing when it retconned out like Superman Returns seems to have done to 3&4 since it was done by the studio but doing it in your own head is different. Odd. And yeah if you don't like them why buy them but that's obvious.

Well using Planet of the Apes as an example, when that movie was written, shot and edited no one expected a sequel. That was the original story, and the original way that world was to say goodbye. So it's not really odd to pretend the terrible sequels never happened. To keep in one's mind the original story and that alone.

I mean I don't think it's weird, but hey, that's why I started the thread.

[simonynwa]

I used to buy franchise sets but now I don't see the point since I don't watch the ones I don't like and unless the set is saving space or cost (Star Trek is one I own all of when I never watch the fifth one) I won't buy every film in the series just to own them

Avoided Mission Impossible II, Batman Forever and Batman and Robin for same reason.

[Lentulus Batiatus]

Whatever floats your boat but calling others OCD is very pot/kettle. You have your way (which is weird) but then again lots of others do some ass-backwards dumb shit too.

[dickdarlington]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Well using Planet of the Apes as an example, when that movie was written, shot and edited no one expected a sequel. That was the original story, and the original way that world was to say goodbye. So it's not really odd to pretend the terrible sequels never happened. To keep in one's mind the original story and that alone.

I mean I don't think it's weird, but hey, that's why I started the thread.

Most would argue that the sequels are not terrible.

Beneath and Battle, sure. Beneath has some great ideas that are executed poorly. Battle is just garbage. They were both panned at the time of their release and time hasn't been kind to either one.

However, Escape got rave reviews from critics during its release and Conquest has grown a cult following post its theatrical release due to it being the most political of the franchise.

To say all the sequels are "terrible" is an opinion, not a fact. An opinion that most who like the franchise wouldn't share.

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by popeflick

They're all imaginary stories. But if they're released then they're part of the story. So you ignore them, so what? But replacing them in your head seems rather I dunno, immature? Kind of the equivelant of sticking your fingers in your ears and saying la la la. It's one thing when it retconned out like Superman Returns seems to have done to 3&4 since it was done by the studio but doing it in your own head is different. Odd. And yeah if you don't like them why buy them but that's obvious.

Well, you're basically describing fan fiction, which many think is a recent development but actually goes back to the beginning of storytelling. People hear something cool, and they make up additions, parallels, what ifs?, etc. This helps make culture rich and continuously innovative.

[iank]

I ignore the films past Aliens and T2 too. Seems perfectly reasonable to me if you like the first ones but think the others are shit.

[wormraper]

nope, can't do it. it's all or nothing.

[filmmusic]

I don't have a problem ignoring sequels (prequels) that came after an original film.
Eg.
-I'd buy Terminator and Terminator 2 only (if the first had the mono track, and the 2nd gets a better transfer).
-I'm waiting for the Spielberg box to get JP 1 & 2 (and will sell my trilogy box because I don't need the 3rd)
-I'm perfectly fine with owing Batman and Batman returns and not another movie (although maybe I'll buy Batman forever too)
- I'm trying to forget that is anything else Star Wars releated , except for the original unaltered trilogy.
Don't care for the prequels, the special editions, the upcoming film etc.

The thing I got a problem with, is owing a film which is not the first.
Eg. from the Mad Max trilogy I like only the 3rd movie, but it wouldn't feel right to buy only that.
I don't know what I'll do.

[Wernski]

Definitely films > franchises. And yeah, I don't think that's unusual. I believe a lot of people love Jaws but have never seen Jaws 4.

Some peopl I think just like delving into the minutia and getting into the details of things (which is fine too, of course - there's fun to be had debating the pros and cons of every single direct-to-video Hellraiser sequel, for example). And the internet is just a great way for them to pool together and explore/discuss/debate it. So online, we probably see an out of proportion percentage of "fandom members" rather than specific "film fans."

I think there are even some people who are more attracted to that trait than the specific films themselves... i.e. they might be like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer doesn't seem like my kinda show." But then, when they find out there's lots of seasons and spin-off shows and comic books exploring this whole complex little canon of its world of monsters, then they're like, "cool; I'm jumping in!" It's all good.

But yeah. For the most part I'm a Planet Of the Apes part 1 only guy myself.

[Batmon77]

I dont ignore, but.....

Star Wars, The Matrix, The Planet of The Apes, The Terminator, The Exorcist, Revenge of The Nerds, 2001, Deathwish, Mad Max, and Alien could have been a stand alone films.

Most of these have great (amped up action) sequels.

[Scoot79]

films > franchises, most definitely.

For me, I acknowledge,

Jaws (1975), Jaws 2 (1978)

The Terminator (1984), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

The Exorcist (1973), The Exorcist III (1990)

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Part 2 (1986), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003), Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006), Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D (2013)

Halloween (1978), Halloween II (1981), Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988), Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989), Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995), Halloween 7: Twenty Years Later (1998), Halloween 8: Resurrection (2002)

Sleepaway Camp 2: Unhappy Campers (1988), Sleepaway Camp 3: Teenage Wasteland (1988)

House (1986)

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Seems I am pretty rare around here for doing this, maybe. Just wondering how people feel. I often only buy the first movie in a series, or maybe the first two or something, and ignore the rest. Not just ignore them as far as owning them, but I pretend they don't exist.

For example I own Planet of the Apes but I did not buy the 5-pack, and I ignore the other movies. In my head Taylor and Nova wandered up that beach, started a new human village, trained their kids to talk and started changing humanity.

Highlander. There are no sequels! He won the prize, he's mortal, he lives out his days with his lady in Scotland.

Terminator and Terminator 2 are the best 2-movie series ever! Glad they never made any more after that!

Etc. etc.

Can you ignore the OCD of collecting or the need to canonize fiction and only own some of the movies, and only consider those movies in your own personal mind? Lay it on me.

I own the original Ocean's 11 and the re-make, but none of the sequels of the re-make.

[Torgon]

I usually buy the boxed sets. One reason is they are usually cheaper than to buy the other movies individually. Another reason is to have the 'complete' series/set. I have the Indiana Jones collection, but have yet to watch Crystal Skull since I got it. I will get to it someday, but I'm in no hurry. The same with Star Trek: TNG TV series. I'm buying the complete set, thought I may not like every episode. I don't think I could have one season sitting on my shelf alone. The same goes with the sequels; I don't think I could have the first movie without the others. Though I have one or two exceptions. Just my opinion and how I do it.

[Torgon]

Originally Posted by Scoot79

films > franchises, most definitely.

For me, I acknowledge,

Halloween (1978), Halloween II (1981), Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988), Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989), Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995), Halloween 7: Twenty Years Later (1998), Halloween 8: Resurrection (2002)

Ha ha. I see what you did there (I forgot about that). I feel the same way and is probably one of the only exceptions I made in ignoring sequels.

[Blu-Dragon]

I typically buy the entire series. Even if some of the movies are "bad" I still don't mind watching them for the story.
The only movie in a series that I did not buy, because not only was it bad but I just wouldn't even re-watch it, was Robocop 3.

[koover]

Originally Posted by Batmon77

I dont ignore, but.....

Star Wars, The Matrix, The Planet of The Apes, The Terminator, The Exorcist, Revenge of The Nerds, 2001, Deathwish, Mad Max, and Alien could have been a stand alone films.

Most of these have great (amped up action) sequels.

Agreed. All excellent examples.

[manicsounds]

If you love the Prophecy movie series but HATE part 2, then you should go for The Prophecy Collection which includes parts 1, 3, 4, and 5