Franchise Detours – Détails, épisodes et analyse

With Rocky IV taking the franchise to new commercial heights, the film represented, in some ways, the biggest victory yet for both writer/director/star Sylvester Stallone and his fictional counterpart. However, that success — which saw the scale of the franchise expand to international levels — might have set unfair expectations for the future.

Enter Rocky V. On one hand, the return of the original film's director, John G. Avildsen, signaled a return to Rocky's roots as an underdog, as the champ finds himself back in the neighborhood and searching for relevance. But audiences and critics at the time didn't appreciate this seemingly more downbeat approach, perhaps sensing the magic of the series was missing.

Pete of Middle Class Film Class joins us to discuss what was once intended as the finale of the Rocky series, 1990's Rocky V. We'll discuss whether the film deserves its lackluster reputation, how it inadvertently sets up subsequent movies, and why the surprise addition of one cast member carries so much weight. So lace up those gloves and join our discussion.

If Rocky III marks the promise of how the franchise could grow beyond the championship belt, then the next film arguably shows its limitations. With star Sylvester Stallone again serving as writer and director, Rocky IV sees the iconic cinematic hero facing his most devastating blow yet, sending him all the way to Russia to represent his country on a quest for vengeance.

Ryan Luis Rodriguez of One Track Mind joins us to discuss 1985's Rocky IV, a film that remains the biggest worldwide box office hit in the Rocky/Creed franchise. We'll discuss why the film is the most dated installment of the series, how it underutilizes one of its most charismatic stars, and the 2021 release of Stallone's Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago – The Ultimate Director's Cut.

Although Rocky IV has more than its share of defenders, this is often the point where many film franchises start to falter. With an established storytelling formula and a generally intimate focus on a handful of main characters, how does Rocky IV manage to keep the title character in the cinematic ring? And where does it key up the 1990 flop that was Rocky V?

In hindsight, it makes sense the diminishing returns of A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child might signal Freddy Krueger should quit while he was (at least relatively) ahead. So two years later, longtime creative collaborator Rachel Talalay took the director's chair for the "final" entry.

Kev Smith of Suns and Shadows-Cast joins us to discuss 1991's Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare. We'll discuss how the film expands Freddy's mythos, whether the full-tilt lean into comedy works, and whether Freddy's supposed final bow serves as a satisfying end to Wes Craven's creation.

Join us on the latest Franchise Detours as we dissect the dreamscapes of Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare. We’ll slice into the film’s horror elements, its ties to the overarching Elm Street mythology, and how it originally sought to lay Freddy to rest with a rare definitive end of an icon.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master introduced fans to a brand-new final girl in Lisa Wilcox's Alice Johnson. So all its sequel had to do is build on that character and her story to keep that momentum going. But does A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child deliver a winner?

David Rosen of Piecing It Together joins us to discuss how the Stephen Hopkins-directed film taps into the primal fears of impending parenthood, whether its bleaker edge fits at this point in the franchise, and why this less-talked-about installment might hold the key to rebirthing the series.

Join us as we delve into A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child, examining how it breaks tradition regarding its tonal balance, character arcs and visual palette. So tuck in for a night of reflection as we contemplate how this fifth entry affected the longevity of this iconic series.

Thanks to A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, Freddy Krueger became as popular as ever. The Springwood Slasher was suddenly a household name, leading to an increased focus on his macabre sense of humor. The result is the entry often known as the "MTV Nightmare."

Kevin the Critic returns to the show to discuss director Renny Harlin's A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master. We'll discuss which lessons it learns from its predecessor, how it shifts focus to a new final girl and why one particular sequence is undeniably the Kill of the Week.

Join us as we dissect A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master’s legacy as — for better or worse — a turning point. The highest-grossing entry until Freddy vs Jason, this one isn't as discussed as others. But let's tumble into a nightmarish wonderland with our own Alice (Lisa Wilcox).

After the mixed reception to A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge, the franchise turned to series creator Wes Craven and original star Heather Langenkamp. As our eight-part Freddy-led mega-series continues, we arrive at 1987's fan-favorite A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.

Podcaster Deanna Chapman joins us to discuss how director Chuck Russell's installment serves as a pivotal entry in Freddy Krueger's saga. We’ll discuss why the movie is so beloved by fans, how it soft-resets the series' focus, and how it uses supernatural threats to tap into real-life psychological horrors.

So join us as we delve into A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. We’ll explore the film’s innovative special effects, its dynamic characters, and how it turned the tables on Freddy, giving the Elm Street children a fighting chance. It’s an episode you won’t want to sleep through.

How do you follow a classic like A Nightmare on Elm Street? That was the task director Jack Sholder and star Mark Patton faced with A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge. Released less than a year later, the sequel dared to do something darker and very different, with wildly mixed results.

Brandon Stanwyck of Fearsome Queer helps us break down the controversy behind A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge. We'll reckon with the film's complicated legacy, acknowledge its ambitious themes and bold creative choices, and attempt to put it into a better context for today's fans.

The movie’s exploration of identity and fear strikes a different chord than its predecessor, making it a fascinating entry to revisit. So sharpen your claws and prepare to dive into A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge as we unravel the mystery behind Freddy’s second appearance.

Chucky made some friends. Ash got groovy with Deadites. Now it's time for Freddy Krueger to slash his way into the spotlight, as we kick off Franchise Detours' first horror mega-series since 2021 with an in-depth chat about writer/director Wes Craven's 1984 classic A Nightmare on Elm Street.

In keeping with tradition, screenwriter/actor Bri Azmoudeh — who previously joined us for Child's Play and The Evil Dead — returns to welcome another horror franchise to the show. We'll explore the legacy of Freddy Krueger, why he endures, and how Craven's vision still holds up.

As A Nightmare on Elm Street celebrates its 40th anniversary, grab your crucifix, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and stay awake with us as we dissect how this groundbreaking film left an indelible mark on the horror genre and how it continues to influence filmmakers four decades later.

As we raise our glasses to the final installment of the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, Franchise Detours dives into the bittersweet, otherworldly journey of 2013's The World’s End. The film ends the series with a poignant commentary on friendship, nostalgia, and the inescapable march of time.

Robert Stewart of Stew World Order joins the show to discuss director/co-writer Edgar Wright and co-writer/star Simon Pegg's grand sci-fi finale. We'll discuss how The World’s End blends genre elements with the raw emotion of revisiting one’s past and the trilogy’s signature comedic punch.

Join us as we unpack the legacy of the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy. Let's explore how this third film’s sci-fi elements enhance its underlying themes, its recurring motifs and gags, and how the character arcs have evolved from Shaun of the Dead to Hot Fuzz and, finally, The World's End.

Continuing our genre-blending trek through the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, we’re locking and loading for a deep dive into the explosive Hot Fuzz. Armed with sharp wit and a barrage of bullets, this entry takes aim at action movie conventions with a dash of murder mystery thrown in.

Joining us is Lauren Robinson of the Beer’d Al Podcast. We’ll explore how Hot Fuzz balances adrenaline-fueled action with moments of genuine camaraderie and heart. With a plot as twisted as Sandford's country roads, the film is a testament to director Edgar Wright and star Simon Pegg.

So buckle up for a ride-along with Franchise Detours as we navigate the action, the laughs and the legacy of Hot Fuzz. Let's discuss the film’s intricate comedy, its homage to action classics, and the subtext hidden beneath its surface. Join us, won't you? After all, it’s all for the greater good.