Movies That Should Have Remained Standalone Films
Exploring the series that would have been better off if they remained as one standalone film.
Introduction
In the world of cinema, the success of a movie often leads to the creation of franchises, sequels, and spin-offs. However, not every successful film needs to be expanded into a series. Some movies are best left as standalone works of art, with their original story and impact left unaltered by unnecessary sequels. This article explores some notable movie series that would have been better off if they had remained as one standalone film, preserving the legacy and impact of the original work.
highlander 1986 movie poster
Highlander (1986)
The Highlander series, which began with the 1986 film, is a prime example of a movie that should have remained a standalone masterpiece. While subsequent entries in the franchise provided varying levels of entertainment, none matched the absurd and cheesy fun of the original. The legacy of Highlander would have been improved if the film had been allowed to remain a stand-alone oddity within the sword-and-sorcery genre, preserving its cult favorite status.
The subsequent releases in the fantasy Highlander series are a mixed bag of varying quality, with some providing an insightful expansion of the series lore. However, the original Highlander stands out as a true 1980s classic that has since become a cult favorite, and it's arguable that the series would have been better off without the additional entries.
Taken (2008)
The original Taken film, released in 2008, was an exciting thriller and one of Liam Neeson’s best action movies. The story of ex-CIA officer Bryan Mills tracking down his kidnapped teenage daughter was a non-stop action-packed experience that did not outstay its welcome. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the subsequent entries in the series, as they strayed from the premise of the first movie and diluted its impact.
Liam Neeson as Bryan Mills talking on the phone in Taken
If the Taken series had remained as one stand-alone film, it would have preserved the legacy of the original as a tightly paced and intense thriller, without the need for unnecessary sequels that altered the essence of the story.
Dirty Harry (1971)
Clint Eastwood's portrayal of San Francisco Police Department Inspector 'Dirty' Harry Callahan in the 1971 film was a fantastic display of action and iconic quotes. The subsequent releases in the series provided diminishing returns and diluted the impact of the original film. By allowing the original Dirty Harry film to remain a classic action movie, the series would have preserved the legacy of the iconic character without the need for multiple sequels.
Clint Eastwood pointing a gun in Dirty Harry
The original Dirty Harry film influenced a new style of police film focusing on loose-cannon cops, and its impact would have been better preserved if it had remained a standalone classic, without the need for further installments that failed to capture the essence of the original.
