All month, we’ve been pitting some of the most loved movie franchises against one another to see which ones Canoe readers love the most. And after many upsets – Twi-hards, Potter fanatics, Middle Earth enthusiasts, I’m looking at you – we’re down to our final four.
Star Wars, which is considered one of the best franchises of all time, is poised to appear in the final, but Luke will have to topple Kirk and the gang to do it. Meanwhile, after shaking and then stirring Frodo Baggins, 007 fans will have to think long and hard whether Bond is a superior franchise to Christopher Nolan’s noir take on Batman.
Take a look at our survey, re-watch the DVDs, then make your selections.
Scroll below the survey to read your comments from Round 2.
Ding, ding.
Round 3: Star Wars vs. Indiana Jones
While there was love for Indy, the swashbuckling archaeologist was no match for the Force, which won with 76% of the vote. However, a lot of you based your votes on the original trilogy which might not bode well for Luke Skywalker.
Here are some of your comments.
“Only 2 of the 6 star wars movies are actually any good...”
“The most recent Star Wars movies were terrible”
“Star Wars is epic and one of the most quoted and idolized movie franchises ever.”
“Star Wars, simply put, is a story that while being on the surface a sprawling and grandiose action epic, is really a story about the natures of people, the journey of the archetypal hero, and the road to redemption. Indiana Jones is fun, and has good characters - but doesn't really have the depth that Star Wars does.”
“Oh this one is SO tough. Though I LOVE Indiana Jones, Star Wars is still the greatest movie franchise.”
“The 4th instalment of Indy was enough to make me wish the franchise didn't exist. Possibly the worst movie of all time, absolutely enough to ruin the franchise”
“Hard choice, but Star Wars all the way. I love the original Star Wars. Classic story line.”
Round 3: ‘Die Hard’ vs. ‘Batman’
John McClane may have mopped the floor first with Ethan Hunt, and then with Riggs and Murtaugh. But when he went up against the Dark Knight, it was Bruce Wayne who was yelling “Yippee-ki-yay” after 65% of you voted Batman into the semi-finals.
“While Bruce Willis' John McClane may be a timeless action hero, he's far too aged now. If this survey were taken 15 years ago, the results may be different. Batman is still relevant and far more exciting on the big screen and can survive new iterations of leading men, whereas Die Hard simply can't.”
“Well, the Christopher Nolan Batman’s were pretty much the most epic, action packed movies in history. Enough Said.”
“Batman just keeps getting better, while Die Hard peaked at the first movie, going the opposite direction ever since.”
Round 3: ‘Star Trek’ vs. ‘Friday the 13th’
Well, all we can say is: Jason had to face somebody. A lot of you expressed incredulity that the horror franchise is still in the competition and Trekkies set their phasers to kill. The grandiose sci-fi epic won the battle with a whopping 81% of the vote.
Many of you pointed to the franchise’s enduring resonance with both the young and old. Here were some of your comments.
“The incredible amount of social commentary they managed to fit into the episodes/movies, particularly the original series, combined with the imaginative technology makes this a can't-be-beat IMO.”
“Space vs Death, rather have space over death.”
“Tough to choose a winner from two completely different genres of film. Star Trek wins my vote as the future of the franchise looks really promising from it's last film, whereas Friday the 13th has failed to deliver in my opinion.”
“Friday the 13th, you must be kidding. It was only because it went up against even worse spew that it made it this far. Star Trek all the way.”
“Star Trek used to practically be a religion and is still a staple of knowledge for nerds and geeks everywhere”
Round 3: ‘Lord of the Rings’ vs. ‘James Bond’
The battle between Middle Earth and 007 was our closest. In the end, Hobbits couldn’t muster enough mojo to topple the British secret agent, who squeaked out a win with 52% of the vote.
Here are some of your comments in support of both franchises.
“Sorry Sean, you should have been a Ranger like Strider.”
“Lord of the Rings had the deeper concepts and wasn’t just about scoring the hot chick.”
“Are you kidding me? Decades upon decades of classic films. LOTR doesn't even compare!”
“Hmmmm...Should I take the Bond girls or the freakishly weird looking little dudes in Middle Earth? I'll take Pussy Galore any day! Bond kicks butt.”
“This one was close and I like LOTR better then bond but bond keeps on going and well LOTR they only have 1 book left to make a movie about”
“I love LOTR and I predict LOTR is going to win this match, but....given the length of time Bond has been around, different actors, great villains, I have to give it to Bond. In another 20 years will LOTR be as main stream as bond? Also if The Hobbit fails to impress (which I dearly hope it won't) it will drag down the franchise.”
