Old Favorites Made New Again
Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:01 pm
So, since Rainbow Brite is being relaunched again, I think it'd be good to discuss other beloved franchises that have been relaunched or brought back over the years. When discussing the new merchandise, three other franchises came up that have been around a long time, some longer than others. Changes and additions have been made over the years, attempts to bring back the series or provide entertainment for newer generations. Sometimes merchandise came out along with it, other times very few items.
For those who can't remember, the three franchises brought up were: Star Trek, Anne of Green Gables, and Phantom of the Opera. Each have their own respective followings. Each has had additions to the franchise that have been good or bad. Only time has told which stay and which go.
Discuss: Your favorite or most beloved franchise that's been brought back time and time again and what was good and bad about it.
I feel I ought to lay down a few rules. One, this thread is meant for discussion of other franchises, and not Rainbow Brite. Therefore, there should be no mention of RB. That's why this thread is in GD to begin with. Two, it's meant to be done in fun, so keep it that way.
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The franchise I'd choose for this is obviously Anne of Green Gables. I got into this series in 6th grade. I devoured the books and was delighted to find that there were two movies at the time that I could watch. I eventually discovered that the first movie follows the first book pretty closely, but that the second movie is more a combination of books 2,3, and 4. A lot of liberties were taken. I liked it, but certainly not my favorite. A third movie came out and it was completely different from the books. The reason was that the movie timeline was set to start in 1900 and not 1880. This meant that instead of Anne's children being involved in WWI, as the books showed, it would be her and Gilbert. Thus, a new movie was born with these two traversing Europe. I'll be honest and say that it's my favorite movie of the lot. You've still got Anne's spirit and spunk mixed in. I've seen the movie too many times to count.
Now, more recently there have been some newer additions to this franchise. PBS did a cartoon version, which was stupid in my opinion. It was merely another show to teach morals and simply used the characters to do so while adding more of their own. Not a good thing. No merchandise came with it, as far as I know. The original author's family also commissioned a prequel to be written to the books. This book was released in 2006. It was a good read, as it gave more information on Anne's history, which fans did not have. We only had the bits and pieces that Anne brought up throughout the books. However, the book did not have the same feel as the original style. The descriptions lacked and I just wasn't feeling the spirit of Anne, so to speak. There's also been a prequel movie made (which is not tied to the book), but I don't know about it. So far, it's exclusive to Canada and only available as part of an expensive media set. I plan to get it once they release it. I do know that this movie attempts to also explain Anne's history. It does not use any of the original characters from the other movies, not even for the older Anne who starts the film.
Overall, this franchise has had its ups and downs. The books are still timeless classics and will no doubt be around forever for little girls to find. Often, a chapter from the first book is used in a school reader, whether in abridged form or written as a play. Things that aren't so successful just fade away, while the more noted pieces are there to be found. I love the original books, the third movie, and the anime series done in the 70's. It follows the books closely and the art is just beautiful.
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Your turn. Pick your franchise, discuss what you'd like of its ups and downs, and keep it friendly!
For those who can't remember, the three franchises brought up were: Star Trek, Anne of Green Gables, and Phantom of the Opera. Each have their own respective followings. Each has had additions to the franchise that have been good or bad. Only time has told which stay and which go.
Discuss: Your favorite or most beloved franchise that's been brought back time and time again and what was good and bad about it.
I feel I ought to lay down a few rules. One, this thread is meant for discussion of other franchises, and not Rainbow Brite. Therefore, there should be no mention of RB. That's why this thread is in GD to begin with. Two, it's meant to be done in fun, so keep it that way.
~~~~
The franchise I'd choose for this is obviously Anne of Green Gables. I got into this series in 6th grade. I devoured the books and was delighted to find that there were two movies at the time that I could watch. I eventually discovered that the first movie follows the first book pretty closely, but that the second movie is more a combination of books 2,3, and 4. A lot of liberties were taken. I liked it, but certainly not my favorite. A third movie came out and it was completely different from the books. The reason was that the movie timeline was set to start in 1900 and not 1880. This meant that instead of Anne's children being involved in WWI, as the books showed, it would be her and Gilbert. Thus, a new movie was born with these two traversing Europe. I'll be honest and say that it's my favorite movie of the lot. You've still got Anne's spirit and spunk mixed in. I've seen the movie too many times to count.
Now, more recently there have been some newer additions to this franchise. PBS did a cartoon version, which was stupid in my opinion. It was merely another show to teach morals and simply used the characters to do so while adding more of their own. Not a good thing. No merchandise came with it, as far as I know. The original author's family also commissioned a prequel to be written to the books. This book was released in 2006. It was a good read, as it gave more information on Anne's history, which fans did not have. We only had the bits and pieces that Anne brought up throughout the books. However, the book did not have the same feel as the original style. The descriptions lacked and I just wasn't feeling the spirit of Anne, so to speak. There's also been a prequel movie made (which is not tied to the book), but I don't know about it. So far, it's exclusive to Canada and only available as part of an expensive media set. I plan to get it once they release it. I do know that this movie attempts to also explain Anne's history. It does not use any of the original characters from the other movies, not even for the older Anne who starts the film.
Overall, this franchise has had its ups and downs. The books are still timeless classics and will no doubt be around forever for little girls to find. Often, a chapter from the first book is used in a school reader, whether in abridged form or written as a play. Things that aren't so successful just fade away, while the more noted pieces are there to be found. I love the original books, the third movie, and the anime series done in the 70's. It follows the books closely and the art is just beautiful.
~~~~
Your turn. Pick your franchise, discuss what you'd like of its ups and downs, and keep it friendly!
hehe
