The 15 minute rule (and why sometimes it's just better to give up when you're ahead)

I've been meaning to do a post on the 15 minute rule for a while but life kept getting in the way. Basically, the 15 minute rule is the idea that a movie has the first 15 minutes (or a book has the first few chapters, or a TV show the pilot episode) to set the rules for its universe. For example: Modern day setting except there are superheroes/secret agency that fight the Big Bad! Or, ancient Britons with magic and dragons! Or, huge robots that fight huge monsters! Sometimes, it doesn't even need that long to set up its 15 minute rule- think about the Gilligan's Island theme song (or Brady Bunch's, etc) or the VO introduction to Pacific Rim or Sleepy Hollow.

( not that long, but cut to save flists )

Dramatic license will always give tptb wiggle room, sometimes I just wish they understood the difference between a little leeway and outright disregard for the world they themselves created.