The Retrospectives series is IC2S’s longest-running, long-form series of articles. In this series, I’ll take a media franchise and do a deep-dive into each entry, looking at the history of its production and how it evolved with each successive release. New retrospectives are added on a semi-regular basis so be sure to tune in for more!
Left Behind
Retrospective: Left Behind – Rise of the Antichrist (2023)
Welcome back to the Left Behind retrospective! We have finally reached the most recent entry in the franchise, Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist. After the critical and financial failure of the Left Behind reboot…
Retrospective: Vanished: Left Behind – The Next Generation (2016)
Welcome back to the Left Behind retrospective! In this entry we’ll be going over the fifth film in the franchise, Vanished: Left Behind – The Next Generation… and, guys, I’ve been stoked for this one.…
Retrospective: Left Behind (2014)
Welcome back to the Left Behind retrospective! In this entry we’ll be going over the fourth film in the franchise, the Left Behind reboot. This was the last of the Left Behind films that I…
Retrospective: Left Behind III – World at War (2005)
Welcome back to the Left Behind retrospective! In this entry we’ll be going over the third film in the franchise, Left Behind III: World at War. I had previously seen the first two Left Behind…
Retrospective: Left Behind II – Tribulation Force (2002)
Welcome back to the Left Behind retrospective! In this entry we’ll be going over the second film in the franchise, Left Behind II: Tribulation Force. To everyone’s shock and surprise, I didn’t think that the…
Retrospective: Left Behind – The Movie (2000)
It’s been quite a while since my last retrospectives series (more than 3 years now), but that’s largely because of the sheer amount of work that goes into these things. Not only do I have…
Hannibal Lecter
Retrospective BONUS: Hannibal (2013-2015)
Welcome back to a very special bonus entry in the Hannibal Lecter retrospective! In today’s post we’re going to be looking at the three seasons of the the TV series Hannibal! I set a precedent way…
Retrospective: Hannibal Rising (2007)
Welcome back to the Hannibal Lecter retrospective! In today’s entry we’re going to be looking back at 2007’s Hannibal Rising, the Anthony Hopkins-less prequel which goes back to Lecter’s origins. Could the film succeed without…
Retrospective: Red Dragon (2002)
Welcome back to the Hannibal Lecter retrospective! In today’s post we’ll be looking at 2002’s prequel/remake/cash-in, Red Dragon! After the negative reception of Hannibal, would a more back-to-basics prequel be able to reel in audiences?…
Retrospective: Hannibal (2001)
Welcome back to the Hannibal Lecter retrospective! In today’s post we’ll be looking at the follow-up to the iconic The Silence of the Lambs, 2001’s Hannibal! As you may be aware, this film has a… reputation…
Retrospective: The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Welcome back to the Hannibal Lecter retrospective! In today’s post we’ll be going over The Big One, The Silence of the Lambs. I mentioned in my review of Manhunter that that film felt dated, in part…
Retrospective: Manhunter (1986)
If you follow me on Twitter then you may have heard recently that I have been devouring the three seasons of Hannibal which had come to Netflix back in June. I had watched the first season back…
Atlas Shrugged
Retrospective: Atlas Shrugged Part III – Who Is John Galt? (2014)
Welcome back to the Atlas Shrugged retrospective! Today we’ll be looking at the third and (mercifully) final entry in the franchise, Atlas Shrugged Part III – Who Is John Galt? After the dumpster fires that were…
Retrospective: Atlas Shrugged – Part II (2012)
Welcome back to part two of the Atlas Shrugged retrospective! In today’s post we’re going to be looking at the second entry in this “series”, Atlas Shrugged: Part II. After a dull, cheap and morally-objectionable first…
Retrospective: Atlas Shrugged – Part I (2011)
Hey it’s the 4th of July people, so what better way to celebrate than with a retrospectives series! Last time we went through a fantastic slasher film and it’s chaotic web of sequels, but I…
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Retrospective BONUS: Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers (1988)
Surprise! You didn’t think that I was totally chainsawed out, did you? While working through the Texas Chainsaw retrospective, I was reminded that Gunnar Hansen appeared in another chainsaw-based film – 1988’s Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers.…
Retrospective: Leatherface (2017)
Welcome back to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre retrospective! We’re coming to the conclusion of this retrospective today with 2017’s Leatherface… not to be confused with Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III of course (and with that in mind,…
Retrospective: Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013)
Welcome back to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre retrospective! In today’s entry we’re going to be looking at the seventh entry in the franchise, 2013’s Texas Chainsaw 3D! Despite the success of the Platinum Dunes remake and…
Retrospective: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre – The Beginning (2006)
Welcome back to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre retrospective! In today’s entry we’re going to be looking at the sixth entry in the franchise, the 2006 prequel-to-the-remake, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning. After the considerable…
Retrospective: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
Welcome back to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre retrospective! In today entry we’re going to be covering the Platinum Dunes remake, 2003’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre! This is the film which kicked off the horror remake craze in…
Retrospective: Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994)
Welcome back to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre retrospective! In today’s entry we’re going to be looking at the fourth film in the franchise, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation! Normally I would try to avoid talking…
Retrospective: Leatherface – The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990)
Welcome back to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre retrospective! In today’s entry we’re going to be covering the third film in the franchise, 1990’s Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III! This is one of those rare movies…
Retrospective: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
Welcome back to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre retrospective! In this entry we’re going to be looking at the first sequel in the franchise, the aptly-titled The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2! Like I mentioned in the previous…
Retrospective: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Happy 2019 and what better way to start a new year than with a new retrospectives series? Consider it my gift to you! This time we’re dipping back into the horror well with one of…
God’s Not Dead
Retrospective: God’s Not Dead – A Light in Darkness (2018)
Welcome back to the God’s Not Dead retrospective! In today’s entry we’re covering the latest, and possibly last, entry in the franchise, God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness. After the garbage fire that was the…
Retrospective: God’s Not Dead 2 (2016)
Welcome back to the God’s Not Dead retrospective! In today’s entry, we’re going to be looking at the second film in the franchise, the succinctly-titled God’s Not Dead 2 (although I think we all know that it…
Retrospective: God’s Not Dead (2014)
It has been quite a while since my last Retrospectives series. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had plenty of ideas for write-ups during the past several months (some more conventional than others), but I kept…
Jurassic Park
Retrospective: Jurassic World – Fallen Kingdom (2018)
Welcome back to the Jurassic Park retrospective! In today’s post we’re going to talk about the most recent entry in the franchise to date, 2018’s Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom! After Jurassic World brought the franchise…
Retrospective: Jurassic World (2015)
Welcome back to the final entry in the Jurassic Park retrospective! In this entry we we will be looking at the latest film in the franchise, Jurassic World. After years of false starts, could the Jurassic Park franchise…
Retrospective: Jurassic Park III (2001)
Welcome back to part three of the Jurassic Park retrospective! In this post, we’ll be diving into 2001’s Jurassic Park III. After the muted reaction to The Lost World and Spielberg’s decision to step away from the…
Retrospective: The Lost World – Jurassic Park (1997)
Welcome back to the Jurassic Park retrospective! In this entry we’re going to be looking at the second film in the franchise, 1997’s The Lost World: Jurassic Park. After the first film set box office records and…
Retrospective: Jurassic Park (1993)
Holy shit, surprise, it’s another Retrospective series! I honestly wasn’t expecting to do another one of these, since they tend to take quite a bit of time, work and effort to put out to a…
Metal Gear
Retrospective: Metal Gear Afterthoughts & Greatest Moments
AFTERTHOUGHTS This has been quite a journey that we have embarked on. It literally took me months to complete all of the games in the franchise and, at times, felt like I had taken on…
Retrospective: Metal Gear Solid V – The Phantom Pain (2015)
So finally we come to the most recent entry in the Metal Gear franchise – and likely the final entry for that matter in the eyes of most fans. Would Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom…
Retrospective: Metal Gear Solid V – Ground Zeroes (2014)
Welcome back to the Metal Gear retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the 10th game in the franchise, 2014’s prologue, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes! I actually wrote a review for this game back…
Retrospective: Metal Gear Rising – Revengeance (2013)
Welcome back to the Metal Gear retrospective! In this entry we’re going to be covering the ninth game in the franchise, 2013’s Raiden-based spin-off Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance! After a troubled development cycle and some major fan…
Retrospective: Metal Gear Solid – Peace Walker (2010)
Welcome back to part eight of the Metal Gear retrospective. In this entry we’re going to be covering Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, the second canon installment on the PSP. With the franchise effectively wrapped up…
Retrospective: Metal Gear Solid 4 – Guns of the Patriots (2008)
Welcome back to the Metal Gear retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the seventh entry in the franchise, 2008’s Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. After years upon years of convoluted storytelling…
Retrospective: Metal Gear Solid – Portable Ops (2006)
Welcome back for part six of the Metal Gear retrospective. In this entry, we’re going to be covering Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops. As the first canonical entry in the series on a portable system, would…
Retrospective: Metal Gear Solid 3 – Snake Eater (2004)
Welcome back to the Metal Gear retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the fifth canonical installment in the franchise, 2004’s Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater! After all of the controversy surrounding the release…
Retrospective: Metal Gear Solid 2 – Sons of Liberty (2001)
Welcome back to the Metal Gear retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the fourth game in the franchise, 2001’s Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty! After the massive, genre-defining success that was…
Retrospective: Metal Gear Solid (1998)
Welcome back to the Metal Gear retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the third, and arguably most popular, game in the franchise, 1998’s Metal Gear Solid. This game often ends up in the top…
Retrospective: Metal Gear 2 – Solid Snake (1990)
Welcome back to the Metal Gear retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the second canonical game in the franchise, 1990’s Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. How would Kojima build upon the foundation he set up…
Retrospective: Metal Gear (1987)
Kept you waiting, huh? It’s finally time for the Metal Gear retrospective! I’ve spent way too much time over the past few months getting through every canonical game in the franchise and then writing up my…
The Butterfly Effect
Retrospective: The Butterfly Effect 3 – Revelations (2009)
Welcome back to the third and final part of The Butterfly Effect retrospective! You’ll probably notice that this has definitely been the shortest franchise we’ve covered so far, and I must say that that’s one of…
Retrospective: The Butterfly Effect 2 (2006)
Despite a very mixed reception, The Butterfly Effect made enough money for New Line Cinema to warrant a sequel. Could it fix the issues with the original, or was it doomed to straight-to-DVD hell? Read on…
Retrospective: The Butterfly Effect (2004)
Welcome back good readers as we begin a new retrospectives series! If you want to check out previous series, I’ve added a “Retrospectives” link on the pages sidebar that lists all the previous series we’ve…
Die Hard
Retrospective: A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)
Merry Christmas good readers, and welcome back to the Die Hard retrospective! In this entry, we’re going to cover the fifth film in the franchise, A Good Day to Die Hard (ugh, stupid title). Just as a…
Retrospective: Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
Welcome back to the Die Hard retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the fourth film in the franchise, Live Free or Die Hard (aka Die Hard 4.0 as it is known internationally). This was actually the…
Retrospective: Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
Welcome back to the Die Hard retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the third film in the franchise, Die Hard with a Vengeance (which started the annoying trend of the franchises’ sequels shoehorning Die Hard into a…
Retrospective: Die Hard 2 (1990)
Welcome back to the Die Hard retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the second entry in the franchise, Die Hard 2 (aka Die Harder). When Die Hard revolutionized the action genre and made a hefty profit,…
Retrospective: Die Hard (1988)
Welcome back good readers to the beginning of a new retrospectives series! If you need to get caught up on the last series, then you can read about the Planet of the Apes franchise by clicking on the…
The Planet of the Apes
Retrospective: War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
Welcome back to the Planet of the Apes retrospective! In today’s post we’re going to be looking at the finale of the Caesar trilogy and (as of now) the latest entry in the franchise, 2017’s…
Retrospective: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Welcome back to the Planet of the Apes retrospective! In today’s post we’re going to be looking at 2014’s Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, the second entry in the reboot trilogy! Rise provided…
Retrospective: Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Welcome back to the Planet of the Apes retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the latest film in the franchise, Rise of the Planet of the Apes! After the major misfire that was…
Retrospective: Planet of the Apes (2001)
Welcome back to the Planet of the Apes retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the sixth film in the franchise, Tim Burton’s remake of the original Planet. Quite a bit has been said about…
Retrospective: Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)
Welcome back to the Planet of the Apes retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the fifth film in the franchise (and final film in the original series), Battle for the Planet of the Apes!…
Retrospective: Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
Welcome back to the Planet of the Apes retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the fourth film in the franchise, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes! However, before we get into that I…
Retrospective: Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
Welcome back to the Planet of the Apes retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the third film in the franchise, Escape from the Planet of the Apes! Yes, that’s right, after doing everything…
Retrospective: Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
Welcome back to the Planet of the Apes retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the second entry in the franchise, Beneath the Planet of the Apes! After the success of the original film, the…
Retrospective: Planet of the Apes (1968)
It’s that time again! That’s right, it’s retrospectives time! The film franchise which we will be exploring this time is the venerable sci-fi series, Planet of the Apes (45 years old this year!). Unlike pretty much…
Resident Evil
Retrospective: Resident Evil – The Final Chapter (2016)
Welcome back to the Resident Evil retrospective! …yes, you read that correctly. It’s been more than seven years now since I did my retrospective of the live-action Resident Evil film franchise. However, at that time…
Retrospective: Resident Evil – Retribution (2012)
Welcome back to part five of the Resident Evil retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the fifth (and thus far final) movie in the franchise, Resident Evil: Retribution! However, just before we get to that, I…
Retrospective: Resident Evil – Afterlife (2010)
Welcome back to part four of the Resident Evil retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the fourth movie in the franchise, Resident Evil: Afterlife! Once again, the latest Resident Evil movie (Extinction) made even more money than the…
Retrospective: Resident Evil – Extinction (2007)
Welcome back to part three of the Resident Evil retrospective! In this entry we’re going to cover the third movie in the franchise, Resident Evil: Extinction! However, before we get to that I want to speak…
Retrospective: Resident Evil – Apocalypse (2004)
BREAKING NEWS!!! Microsoft has reversed its position on used games and online requirements!!! This is somewhat surprising, but it’s good to know that they actually listened to complaints. I’m still a Sony fanboy for life, but…
Retrospective: Resident Evil (2002)
Welcome back! As promised, this is the kick-off of our next retrospective series! This time we’re going to tackle the live-action Resident Evil film franchise (as a result, the Capcom CGI films Degeneration and Damnation won’t be covered,…
The Howling
Retrospective: The Howling: Reborn (2011)
Welcome back for the 8th and final entry in The Howling retrospective! In this post we’re covering the latest entry in the franchise, The Howling: Reborn. After New Moon Rising, no one expected the franchise to continue…
Retrospective: The Howling: New Moon Rising (1995)
Welcome back to part 7 of The Howling retrospective! In this entry, we’re going to focus on the seventh entry in the franchise, The Howling: New Moon Rising! I apologize for not updating this sooner, but I just…
Retrospective: Howling VI: The Freaks (1991)
Welcome back to part 6 of The Howling retrospective! In this entry, we’re going to focus on the sixth entry in the franchise, Howling VI: The Freaks! With The Rebirth being surprisingly decent in spite of itself, could The…
Retrospective: Howling V: The Rebirth (1989)
Welcome back to part 5 of The Howling retrospective! In this entry, we’re going to focus on the fifth entry in the franchise, Howling V: The Rebirth! Five movies in, and the only passable movie was…
Retrospective: Howling IV: The Original Nightmare (1988)
Welcome back to part 4 of The Howling retrospective! In this entry, we’re going to tackle the fourth entry in the series, Howling IV: The Original Nightmare! With Philipe Mora gone and a new personality climbing on board,…
Retrospective: Howling III: The Marsupials (1987)
Welcome back to part 3 of The Howling retrospective! In this entry, we’re going to tackle the third entry in the series, Howling III: The Marsupials! And just before we get into that, I want to draw…
Retrospective: Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf (1985)
Welcome back to part 2 of The Howling retrospective! Sorry it took so long to post this, as I have been very busy between final assignments and paintballing like a boss. However, now that that’s out of…
Retrospective: The Howling (1981)
It’s that time again folks, to dive into another movie series to see how it has changed. And if you can read the text above you, you’ll know that our latest subject of examination is…
Final Destination
Retrospective: Final Destination 5 (2011)
Welcome back for the 5th and final entry in the Final Destination retrospective! In this post we’re covering the latest entry in the franchise, Final Destination 5. As I have mentioned previously in this retrospective,…
Retrospective: The Final Destination (2009)
Welcome back for Part 4 of the Final Destination retrospective! In this post we’re going to cover the poorly-titled The Final Destination. This was a bit of an intriguing entry for a couple reasons, although…
Retrospective: Final Destination 3 (2006)
Welcome back, good readers, to Part 3 of the Final Destination retrospective! In this post we’re going to cover the next entry in the series, Final Destination 3. If you haven’t read the previous 2…
Retrospective: Final Destination 2 (2003)
Welcome back to Part 2 of the Final Destination Retrospective! In this post we are (obviously) covering the second entry in the franchise: Final Destination 2! This entry in the series is interesting for a few…
Retrospective: Final Destination (2000)
Hello readers, I’m about to embark on something that I’ve been wanting to do since I started this blog in December. As I’m sure most of you are aware, I’ve done movie reviews quite frequently…