The Great Franchise Debate: Beyond Rocky and Bourne
What makes a movie franchise truly great? Is it the cultural impact, the consistency across installments, or the ability to reinvent itself over time? This question recently sparked a fascinating debate between Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal, two actors whose choices—Rocky and the Bourne series, respectively—highlight the subjective nature of cinematic greatness. But here’s the thing: their picks, while excellent, barely scratch the surface of what this conversation could be.
Rocky vs. Bourne: A Tale of Two Franchises
Let’s start with their choices. Bernthal’s pick of Rocky is, in my opinion, a no-brainer. The first film is a masterpiece of underdog storytelling, and its evolution into a franchise is a testament to Hollywood’s ability to milk a concept dry—but in the best way possible. What’s particularly fascinating is how Rocky managed to stay relevant for decades, spawning spin-offs like Creed that feel fresh yet faithful to the original. It’s a franchise that understands the power of nostalgia without being trapped by it.
Affleck’s choice of Bourne, on the other hand, is more of a niche pick—but a brilliant one. The series redefined the spy thriller genre by grounding it in realism, ditching the gadgets and glamor of Bond for gritty, handheld action. Personally, I think this is where Bourne shines: it’s a franchise that didn’t just follow trends; it set them. But here’s the irony: while Bourne feels modern and innovative, it’s also a franchise that hasn’t aged as gracefully as Rocky. The later installments, in my view, lost some of the edge that made the original so compelling.
The Problem with Limiting the Debate
What strikes me as odd is how quickly the conversation defaults to these two franchises. Don’t get me wrong—they’re both deserving of praise. But if you take a step back and think about it, the movie landscape is littered with franchises that have left an indelible mark. Star Wars? A cultural phenomenon that redefined sci-fi. The Lord of the Rings? A trilogy that set the gold standard for fantasy adaptations. Marvel Cinematic Universe? A juggernaut that changed how we consume storytelling.
One thing that immediately stands out is how these franchises cater to different criteria for greatness. Is it longevity? Influence? Consistency? Or is it simply how much they resonate with us on a personal level? For instance, I’ve always found The Lord of the Rings to be the most consistent franchise in terms of quality, but Star Wars has arguably had a bigger cultural impact. What this really suggests is that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—and that’s what makes the debate so intriguing.
The Hidden Criteria: What We Often Overlook
Here’s a detail that I find especially interesting: we often judge franchises based on their highs, but rarely on their lows. Take James Bond, for example. It’s one of the longest-running franchises in history, but it’s also had its fair share of duds. Does that diminish its greatness? In my opinion, no—because the highs are so high that they overshadow the misses.
Another overlooked factor is how franchises adapt to changing times. Planet of the Apes, for instance, started as a campy sci-fi series in the ’60s but reinvented itself in the 2010s with a darker, more philosophical tone. This ability to evolve is what separates the good franchises from the great ones.
The Future of Franchises: Where Do We Go from Here?
If you ask me, the future of movie franchises lies in their ability to balance nostalgia with innovation. Look at Mad Max: Fury Road—a sequel that felt like a reboot, breathing new life into a dormant franchise. Or The Batman, which stripped away the campiness of earlier installments to focus on a gritty, character-driven narrative. These are the kinds of risks that keep franchises relevant.
But here’s a provocative thought: are we reaching a point of franchise fatigue? With every studio trying to build their own cinematic universe, there’s a risk of oversaturation. Personally, I think the key is to focus on quality over quantity. Not every movie needs to be part of a franchise, and not every franchise needs to last forever.
Final Thoughts: The Subjectivity of Greatness
At the end of the day, the greatest movie franchise is the one that means the most to you. For Bernthal, it’s Rocky. For Affleck, it’s Bourne. For me? It’s hard to say—maybe The Dark Knight trilogy for its perfect blend of storytelling and character development. But what makes this particularly fascinating is that there’s no wrong answer.
What many people don’t realize is that franchises are more than just movies; they’re cultural touchstones that reflect the values and aspirations of their time. So, the next time you find yourself in this debate, don’t just think about which franchise is the best—think about why it matters to you. After all, that’s what makes cinema so powerful.
Now, I’ll throw the question to you: what’s your pick for the greatest movie franchise of all time? And more importantly, why? Let’s keep the conversation going.
