What IS the point of Junior Novelizations?

[Sgt Floyd]

I remember I read the novelization of that American Godzilla movie from 2000 and actually liking it better than the movie. The movie was a horrible mess that was nearly unwatchable. The book was ok that I read it a few times. I guess I was 7 or 8ish

 

[CensoredAlso]

It's merchandise, but it's unnecessary merchandise.

Well you know, back in the day it was agony waiting for your favorite movie to come out on video. So novelisation was one way to relive the moments.

Clearly obvious from the movie... and the fact he was played by the same guy who played Newman.

Lol, true. I also remember our 5th grade group reading the line, "Then the T-rex struck!",then turning the page and realizing the chapter was over and we'd have to wait til tomorrow to find out what happened (of course we already knew, but still, lolol)!

 

[mr3urious]

Mega Man 2 was even novelized as part of Nintendo's "Worlds of Power" series. Watch as James Rolfe semi-dramatically reads through it.

http://cinemassacre.com/2010/01/30/worlds-of-power-mega-man-2/

 

[Slackbot]

It's merchandise, but it's unnecessary merchandise.

If it's merchandise that someone thinks will sell, and will pay enough to license, and Disney sees no reason not to accept those dollars, then it'll get made. I doubt anyone thinks along the lines of "Does anyone really need these books/T-shirts/pez dispensers/plushies/etc?"

 

[rowlfy662]

there's only one good thing about these books or at least on the toy story 3 the characters are drawn well thats it the rest about them why do they sell can kids not go and see movies anymore i know reading is important but these books are stupid

 

[CensoredAlso]

there's only one good thing about these books or at least on the toy story 3 the characters are drawn well thats it the rest about them why do they sell can kids not go and see movies anymore i know reading is important but these books are stupid

Well like what was said earlier, it's mainly to hype up publicity for the movie, especially when you were waiting for it to come out on video or DVD. No merchandising angle is too weird or too unnecessary, lol.

 

[newsmanfan]

They were usually terrible...I only bought 'em for the picture inserts...

 

[Drtooth]

Mega Man 2 was even novelized as part of Nintendo's "Worlds of Power" series. Watch as James Rolfe semi-dramatically reads through it.

I do NOT need to watch that as I already read it. I had it (more on that later)

For those of you who never read it it's basically "Mega Man goes into a world with a Robot Master.... Mega Man meets Robot Master... Robot Master says some cliche bad guy thing... mega Man give a cliche response... Mega Man kills robot master... repeat 7 more times. Oh... and read I, Robot because an amazing piece of work inspired me to sit on my key board and make a pile of crap."

I paid a quarter for it at Goodwill and didn't even find it worthy as a collectible. I threw it out.

If it's merchandise that someone thinks will sell, and will pay enough to license, and Disney sees no reason not to accept those dollars, then it'll get made. I doubt anyone thinks along the lines of "Does anyone really need these books/T-shirts/pez dispensers/plushies/etc?"

The difference is, all those other things are collectible. Even coloring books/activity books have a charm. Maybe the little Golden Books that are in retro-style... at least you get the good artwork with them. But I never really saw kids get into junior novelizations other than trying to pawn them off as book reports WITHOUT actually reading them. Some teachers actually let it slide.

Though, I will say, why basically pull the audience of a movie out by giving the entire plot and movie away? I know even the kid's picture books have a tendency to do that... but again, picture books leave a LOT out.

 

[D'Snowth]

They were usually terrible...I only bought 'em for the picture inserts...

You want to know something? So did I half the time, harhar!

 

[CensoredAlso]

Though, I will say, why basically pull the audience of a movie out by giving the entire plot and movie away? I know even the kid's picture books have a tendency to do that... but again, picture books leave a LOT out.

Actually the book version of X-Men II had a completely different ending than the one in the film. I guess they wanted to keep it a surprise?