Number Or Names?

[James Harvey]

When sequels pop up, do you prefer a name (THE MATRIX RELOADED) or a number (ROCKY 2)?

[DarkAngel]

Originally posted by Dick Grayson
When sequels pop up, do you prefer a name (THE MATRIX RELOADED) or a number (ROCKY 2)?

That's an interesting question. I think I actually like a combinatin of both, like "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn". If I had to choose one, I'd say name, because something like "The Matrix Reloaded" has much more impact than "Matrix 2". Of course, that's dependent on the name actually being good. I think I'd much rather have "Star Wars 2" than "Attack of the Clones", for instance.

What about you, DG? Which do you prefer?

[Maxie Zeus]

Oh, put me with names every time. How much imagination does it take to say "Stick a number at the end of it"?

Think of all the great Bond titles we would have missed if we were doing "James Bond XXI" and like that?

[RockItShipper]

On the business side of things... Numbers are sometimes percieved as a risk. Numbers indicate how long the franchise has been going on, and a "been there, done that" attitude prevails.
Even if most of the movie-watching public knows that "Austin Powers in GOLDMEMBER" is AP3, a name-only title can bring up memories of a familiar character but not the "not another one" reaction...

[NewMaxFranklin]

"Rocky "v." That was the fifth one. So, Rocky Five, plus Rocky two, equals Rocky seven; Adrian's Rvenge!"


Originally posted by RockItShipper
On the business side of things... Numbers are sometimes percieved as a risk. Numbers indicate how long the franchise has been going on, and a "been there, done that" attitude prevails.
Even if most of the movie-watching public knows that "Austin Powers in GOLDMEMBER" is AP3, a name-only title can bring up memories of a familiar character but not the "not another one" reaction...

Very insightful R.I.S. Hey, your screen name initials are R.I.S. How about that. (I'm easily amused, sorry.)

Anyway; I'd like a new name all-together. I think that any movie; even a sequel or part of a saga, should be able to stand on it's own. So, instead of calling Episode 2; Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, It would just be, "Attack of the Clones." Wow! Seeing that name on it's own really showcases how weak it is. Not like "Return of the Jedi." They didn't put "Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi," on the posters, did they.

I always thought sticking "Indian Jones and the..." in front of the second two films was unnecessary. They could have just been called "The Temple of Doom" and "The Last Crusade." With all the PR that movies get, no one needs a reference to the other film stuck in the title. They don't put "James Bond and the" in front of the Bond films.

Besides, "Doom" was a prequel. So they couldn't put a number on it, since "Raiders" was #1. Plus; The Ark was not the subject of either of the other films. So, "Raiders of the Lost Ark 2" could never be the name of "Last Crusade."

Though, when you look at a movie like Rush Hour; It really only deserves a "2" slapped on it, for another go-round. The names "The Mummy Returns" and "Another 48 Hours," are testimates to how creatively bankrupt the movies were. At least The next mummy movie isnt called "The Mummy Episode Zero: The Scorpian King.";)

So, basically, I like my titles clutter-free. No #'s and no glairing references to past films. Come up with a new name. If I'm gonna pay 6-9$, I want, no DEMAND, a film with enough substance to warrant it's own name. (This comming from a guy who changed his screen name from "Max Franklin" to "NewMaxFranklin." Oh, Cle-ver. I still hate irony!);)

[BourgeoisBuffoon]

Names. They have more impact, and only...well...simplistic movie names really can pull off numbers well (like Rocky). Plus, with a name, you can see there's something new to see (like Star Wars).

[James Harvey]

To me, I think either of the two is fine, as long as it works. I don't know why but Superman 2 worked. It took places moments after the original and just felt like a continuation. It just worked with a number in the name. Then there's Batman Returns, granted an un original title, but that worked. It's been 3 years since his previous movie and the title seemed to fit.

Then there's unintellgient fair like The Mummy Returns, which should've been Mummy 2: Just Like The First One.

[Trent Lane]

Originally posted by Dick Grayson
Then there's unintellgient fair like The Mummy Returns, which should've been Mummy 2: Just Like The First One.

Not quite just like the first one, there were moments, tho. At least the first one was better anyway. I say the number and the word thing both work, it just depends on how it's used...

[James Harvey]

I'll admit the sequence in the 2nd movie where those mummies are after the cast in the London tour bus is pretty neat. I wish they had more time for the fx thought...

[Calhoun07]

Originally posted by Dick Grayson
When sequels pop up, do you prefer a name (THE MATRIX RELOADED) or a number (ROCKY 2)?

I just prefer a good movie, slap whatever name you want on it. Call it Bob and if it's good, I will watch it.

Of course, it doesn't matter, because most people wind up calling the sequels by number anyway. I can't believe how many people call the Mummy Returns and ask for Mummy 2. Mummy 2 has never been made or released. Go to IMDB.com if you don't believe me! So for the lazy general public, numbers seem to be what most people want.