Let’s be honest. There aren’t many things we agree on. Today’s cult of individuality almost forbids it. Tell me you like black and I’ll give you fifty reasons why white is better in my not-so-humble opinion. You like progressive rock; I like the classic stuff. The good people over at Charmin (yes, the toilet paper company) even based a marketing campaign on our inability to agree whether the roll should go over or under (over, duh). But I think we can all agree that having toilet paper is more important than quibbling over how it comes off the roll. Agreed.
Anyways, while we can’t agree on many things, film has a few areas of general consensus. We can all agree that the first two Godfathers are awesome; the third is likely the result of Coppola eating two pieces of bad pizza, polishing off a bottle of his private label wine, and deciding that he wanted to ruin a saga. Likewise, I don’t think I’m going out on a limb to say we all enjoy The Shawshank Redemption.
I have spent countless Saturday afternoons listening to Morgan Freeman’s soothing voice tell me about the tragedy and triumph of Andy Dufresne (“I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.”).
There are films like this that I am happy to jump on the bandwagon for, throw my box office dollars at and roll my eyes with the greatest disdain and/or exclaim loudly and inappropriately when people tell me they haven’t seen them. You know the look. Someone announces that they haven’t seen (insert iconic film name here) and you yell, “What! You’ve gotta see that! Where have you been?”
But for every great film, there is a film that has managed to sneak into the canon that really doesn’t deserve to be there. You know those films. Everybody tells you that you have to see (insert supposedly great film name here) and you finally see it and wonder if everybody is taking crazy pills. Add this to the recent films that are hailed as “game changers”, and you find yourself constantly on the watch for the dreaded hype monster, that awful word-of-mouth, social media fed beast that turns perfectly average and subpar films into undeserved cultural touchstones.
So without further ado, here are 10 films that are completely overrated…
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99 Comments
I agree with most of the choices here (especially Fight Club), though I might suggest lessening the condescending tone. Your picks are genuinely inspired and intelligently argued, but you kind of come off as a bit of jerk, which I don’t think is the reality or your intention.
I don’t suggest letting any of the condescending tone, it’s part of your writing personality and it adds a bit of a flair to this article, which, while I disagree with some of the choices, I do admire. Keep it up!
Thank you both for commenting. I went with the condescending tone partially because I think there’s a certain amount of condescension inherent in any criticism–film especially. My favorite critics–Roger Ebert, Armond White, Mark Kermode–have a little “jerk” in them. In my opinion, it’s part of their appeal :D
I agree with you to a degree with Avengers, but I dont think it needs to be number 1. Braveheart, Titanic, Avatar and Star Wars; A New Hope should be on the list. first 3 are boring as …. and star wars after youve seen it is like wow wow, then when you think about it, it was actually pretty rubbish
I’m with you on Avatar. I don’t know if you’ve every seen Ferngully: The Last Rainforest (1992), but Avatar pretty much mirrors it plot-wise. About Star Wars: I don’t know why this is, but I have such a sense of nostalgia for when George Lucas was releasing/directing new material that I give anything from that period a pass. I agree that is a bit overrated
This is the worst feature I’ve ever read on this website. The author is hardly qualified to comment on movies if they haven’t even seen the dark knight rises. The dark knight which you claim is over rated works perfectly with the dark knight rises. Why don’t you actually do some research before putting your garbage on this website. After reading your comments it seems to me like you didn’t actually understand the films you were trashing
Thanks for commenting! I don’t think my opinion of the Dark Knight should hinge on it “working perfectly” with The Dark Knight Rises. Have you ever seen The Godfather Part II or Terminator 2 or any of the Indiana Jones Series? Each of these films works as an independent piece; they don’t need to lean upon the other films in the series to “work”. That’s a weakness, in my opinion.
Also, worst feature ever? And they said I’d never make a name for myself :)
Hmmm, some interesting choices.
As with all subjective media, you’ll get those agreeing with some of your picks and being totally baffled by the others. Which brings it to my response. I agree with some of your films being overrated. Notably, Inception, The Dark Knight, Fight Club and Avengers. Inception is one of those films that’s ‘cool’ to enjoy and you’re a dimwit if you don’t understand it. In actuallity, nobody really pieces together Nolans offering first time round and i spent large portions of the film being totally confused. That’s not smart storytelling, its just plain annoying. Whatever happened to escapism at the cinema?
The Dark Knight is an inferior film to Begins in terms of the most important element – story. But all the plaudits go to the sequel. Why? Easy, internet hype, and the infamous Ledger deaths.
Fight Club is one of those films that tries to be clever and probably is in its own way but it was a rather disengaging film. I was bored by its pretentious script.
The Avengers was a mix of cartoon dialogue, bad story-telling and as you say, Michael Bay gloss. I actually enjoyed Thor. Brannagh did a good job with a very difficult Marvel character. We actuallycared for him and the rest of the protagonists. The Avengers just felt like one of those saturday morning cartoons being turned to film. Could have been so much better.
As for Wizard of Oz. This is one of cinemas finest films to date. Remember, the target audience was children and this film has been enjoyed by children for over 75 years. The production was something people had never witnessed before. The choreography in the dance numbers, the set designs were just the start. A classic soundtrack headed by Judy Garland at her very best. The story of a girl trying to get back home and meeting extraordinary characters en route. The film carries something that many family films lack in modern cinema – heart. It stands the test of time for being an exceptional masterpiece.
Thanks for commenting. The thing with Thor: I actually wanted to like this, because I like Brannagh’s work (he does amazing things with Shakespeare), but I think I got lost in the pacing…so slow. Also, the minor characters (Kat Dennings, Natalie Portman (who I usually enjoy)) were downers. I’m with you on the Wizard of Oz soundtrack. “Over the Rainbow” took home the Oscar for best song. I don’t know if you’re into jazz, but some of the interpretations of the soundtrack are phenomenal.
“rolls eyes”
Don’t roll ‘em too hard, they might get stuck ;)
Thanks for commenting.
Oh dear. Poor attempt to gain hits for the site. Don’t rise to the bait. Worst article on this fine website ever!
Crap article, poor choices. Waste of time. Saying FIGHT CLUB is overrated? Give me a break.
Tell me what you really think :) No really, tell me what you think, because you don’t really offer any reason why it’s a waste of time. Just that it is. What are some of your picks for overrated films?
Let me hazard a guess here, you don’t like eating in McD’s or wearing branded clothing. You also stringently reject the benefits of the Iphone, not as some thinly veiled protest against modernist consumerism or the polarised wealth promotion of western capitalism, but because you just don’t want to be associated with “the norm”.
You’re the gospel preacher from The Life of Brian ranting and raving at the masses, not to change perspectives but just to be heard. Your soapbox foundations support an individual starved of attention all your life, shouting at the top of his voice “look at me, I’m different because I can think rationally and for myself rather than being absorbed by the consensual masses. You’re all automatons completely ingratiated into normality, whereas I am Neo, the one capable of waking up from the constructed world”.
Just a feeling.
Well I’ve not seen such an assault on an ego such as this on WhatCulture! before, but it did make me laugh!
However, I do place myself on the side of the writer in regards to the Avengers! So much promise, such poor delivery.
Thanks for commenting. And…Wow! I must say you’ve got me pegged. Let me put down my veggie burger and wheatgrass shake, turn down the obscure ska band I was listening to (before they were cool), and stop begging my parents to love me long enough to respond.
When the consensual masses stop going en masse to see crap like the Avengers then I will burn my soapbox.
Tweet that from your iphone :)
Hey Angel,
Your comments are noted and perfectly valid. What constitutes “overrated” is a tricky one, I can think of a hat-ful of movies that were commercially popular that I truly detested e.g. Taken; The Hangover; Shaun of the Dead. I also can’t physically bring myself to watch Full Metal Jacket or A Clockwork Orange, they both made me feel very queasy (for this reason I’ve basically transferred that anxiety onto all things Kubrick so probably never will watch The Shining).
Can we go for dinner sometime?
I
You’re probably denouncing Fight Club because it contains the very same post-structuralist/carnivalist orthodoxy that shape your very existence, which automatically demands that you run in the opposite direction rather than run the risk of any association.
A bald-headed Welsh character from Little Britain springs to mind when thinking of your thought-process.
We get it..the author is so cool they think cool movies are uncool.
Seriously though, it’s clear that you didn’t see many of the films when they were originally released and movies are very often a product of their time. Going back and watching a film with the condescending attitude of a young adult, of course you won’t like it.
I mean, Fight Club was a movie aimed at men in the late ’90s and you’re surprised you didn’t like it. Really?
You’re spot on, the writer bases a significant chunk of his thoughts on those that he watches the film with. Sounds like having your ear to the ground on what’s popular, then deciding to not like it to stand out from the crowd rather than focusing on why it’s popular in the first place. Even the justifications for disliking are chronically flawed.
Huh? Could have sworn the author of this semi-trite article was female. Hence probably why the only THING she might have remembered was the final snippet of that film.
To Ironite: Aren’t we all influenced by our mindsets, biases, prejudices when viewing a film? Film criticism (any criticism for that matter) isn’t objective. Also, one could argue that everyone’s reasons for disliking (and liking things) are flawed–they are (again) the direct result of our mindsets, biases, and prejudices. Now the real question is why? Why do you think their flawed? What films do you think are overrated? It’s easy to down an opinion, harder to offer/defend you own.
Thanks for commenting :)
JBoi: The only THING remotely insulting about your comment was that you thought it was clever. Also…I don’t need a perfectly-timed pause to understand disappointment.
Thanks for commenting.
“This is based on a comic book. Check your misplaced desire for realism at the door”
That’s fine, providing you possess a profound misunderstanding of what a comic book is; which is simply another means of telling a story. Comic book is a medium, not a genre (like film, TV, the novel, chalk scribblings on the pavement etc.). Tone has nothing to do with the requirements of a comic book. ‘Ghost World’ is a comic, so is ‘Green Lantern.’ Are they the same? This website’s contributors coudl do with some serious screening.
Here’s the thing. If you include more than one film by the same director in these kind of lists you just come across as someone who has an agenda. You do this with Nolan explicitly, including Inception, The Dark Knight, and also hinting that TDKR would be in there too if you’d actually seen it. 10 overrated films from the entire history of cinema and you’re focusing too much on one man. It just isn’t the best research and makes the piece and easy target for criticism
*an easy target
Thanks for commenting. This isn’t actually a list from the entire history of cinema, it would be soooooo much longer. The thing about about a piece of criticsm (which this article is) is that it’s supposed to invite discussion/criticism (which it is). I think that makes it a success.
I don’t know if my inclusion of two Nolan films was agenda or just acknowledgment of the massive amounts of (undeserved) hype that surround his films. He’s a hot director now, his films are (rightfully) under scrutiny.
Thanks for commenting. This isn’t actually a list from the entire history of cinema, it would be soooooo much longer. The thing about about a piece of criticsm (which this article is) is that it’s supposed to invite discussion/criticism (which it is). I think that makes it a success.
I don’t know if my inclusion of two Nolan films was agenda or just acknowledgment of the massive amounts of (undeserved) hype that surround his films. He’s a hot director now, his films are (rightfully) under scrutiny.
Hipster alert!!
I said that before it was cool :)
This won’t go down well.
I agree on a few of your choices, but not Fight Club. If you’ve actually studied that film then you’ll know how well the themes involved are explored.
I’ve studied Fight Club extensively, and I still dislike it enormously. Nice to explore your themes well, but it’s still one of the ugliest films I’ve ever seen. And yet a lot of these comments seem to suggest Fight Club is objectively a masterpiece… how strange. And I thought film criticism was subjective =/
Thanks to both for your comments.
Hunter: I thought the themes were interesting, but problematic in their over-simplification. Also, I couldn’t get behind the film’s neat resolution of said themes. What films do you find overrated?
Brogan: Agreed. Just one person’s opinion :) Have you read Roger Ebert’s review? He seems to be on the same page as you. http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19991015/REVIEWS/910150302/1023
The Avengers isn’t overrated because it’s not that much praised like you think. Beside, it was good at what it should be.
Fight Club is not overrated. I can’t explain because I’m typing on my phone and it’ll take me forever. But I think someone else did or will.
I agree with the rest of your list though.
Everyone has their own overrated and underrated lists. Isn’t that the fun of art? So people, stop judging. Instead, try to prove why you disagree.
Thanks for commenting!
Here’s the thing with Avengers: I don’t think I can accept the “It was as good as it could have been argument” I don’t know if you’re familiar with the animated features, but they accomplish so much (character development, etc) that people with a budget of over 220,000,000 million couldn’t.
And might I add to you last bit of your comment “That’s a Bingo!!” :)
Avengers wasn’t about Character development that’s what the individual movies were for. A movie that has multiple heroes in a 2 hour 30 minute Running time is going to be Michael Bayish. You need to keep the audience hooked… and in today’s culture Big Explosions and Cool looking stuff just about get the job done.
Then again. Everybody has a right to their opinion, I may disagree with yours but I respect it.
Even looking at the comments in response to Fight Club’s inclusion will tell you it’s more than deserving of its place in this list.
Its nihilistic, anti-society, sub culture message was done much more elegantly by Trainspotting at around the same time and its twist is a trope of the ‘it was all a dream’ class.
Decent film for Pitt’s performance and the scrapping mainly, but it is the attempts to dress it up as some kind of interesting statement on anything at all that makes it overrated.
Thanks for commenting. I agree. I did prefer Trainspotting. It is one of Brad Pitt’s better performances, but I think the film’s reach exceeds its grasp. It gets too big for itself and then tries to rein it in (unsuccessfully) at the end.
“It is one of Brad Pitt’s better performances”
Oops, I meant to space this…would never mistake him as a character in Trainspotting.
Wow, a whiny opinion piece on What Culture? Must be a weekday.
You start by saying “We can all agree that the first two Godfathers are awesome”. Um, no, no we can’t. You’re just using popular consensus truth.
We can’t, actually, agree on anything which you then go on to prove by telling us why popular consensus is “wrong”. You seem to presume that people are just sheep and only like something because they’re influenced into a crowd mentality just because you don’t share the same opinion.
Your excuses for not liking these films are flimsy and you end up resorting to pointing out plotholes. Feeble.
Congratulations though. People have commented on this article.
Thanks for commenting! I’m not sure when opinion devolved into excuse and plotholes in a film became a less than decent reason for disliking them. Now, tell me what you really think :)
“just because it’s crass doesn’t mean it’s funny.”
Can we get a highway billboard and a full page in Variety for this? Because yes. A million times yes. Now, back to reading the list, which I agree with so far.
Thanks for commenting! I sometimes feel like I’m alone on the “crass isn’t funny” limb…it’s good to know there are others out there :)
I don’t think you can really critique and even talk about movies in this form when you’re falling asleep during certain movies.
Thanks for commenting. I only took a quick “Odin nap” and was up just in time to see Anthony Hopkins come out his own “Odin sleep”. I’m sure I didn’t miss much. :)
I only took a quick “Odin nap” and was up just in time to see Anthony Hopkins come out his own “Odin sleep”. I’m sure I didn’t miss much. :)
Thanks for commenting!
what’s this? a feminist doesn’t like The Dark Knight, The Avengers or Fight Club? big surprise.
What’s even more amazing was that I cut my teeth on 80′s action flicks (Commando, Terminator, Rambo, Die Hard, and Robo Cop). “War! It’s Fantastic.” -Hot Shots, Part Deux
Thanks for commenting.
I’m kind of baffled by your inclusion of Ferris Bueller and The Dark Knight, but aside from that, I love it. I haven’t seen the Avengers, but the hype for it was really overblown. Much like for the Captain America movie, which wasn’t a bad little flick but which had been used to bludgeon us that entire summer in advertising.
And I always think that Kristin Wiig is trying too hard. She’s a footnote in SNL history who wants very desperately to be a legend.
I think Avatar is definitely overrated and is basically the alien/outer space version of Pocahontas.
Yes! Good call. I pointed out on another comment that I thought it mirrored another animated flick, Ferngully: The Last Rainforest. I think James Cameron was just shining us on when talked of starting the movie’s script ten years ago and then, “putting it away until technology caught up with his ideas.”
Each to their own.
But I cant help thinking that there are a few movies on this list put here to cause a reaction.
“Each to their own.”
I think that’s the crux of any opinion piece. Every film I put on here is one I genuinely thought was overrated, but the very act of calling a well-regarded film overrated is going to incite a reaction…don’t you think?
Thanks for commenting.
I was with you on some of the films, I didn’t hate any, but I do agree Fight club and Dark Knight are a bit overrated. But then you put the Avengers at Number 1, and you completely lost me.
That’s cool. Thanks for commenting. What about Avengers drew you in? What would you put at number #1?
On Fight Club
“How about you have a group of guys who get together and figure out how to be better fathers, or a stronger presence in their communities? Just a thought.”
Perhaps because that’s one of the most boring movie scenes I could possibly think of.
Wouldn’t it have been? However, when I read that review it made me chuckle. I think the themes explored in the film are interesting; the “civilized” man vs. the primal, and even id vs ego. However, I wonder if it didn’t do a disservice to men by way of over-simplification.
Thanks for commenting. :)
this article reeks of a bourgeois, snobbish, uptight author who takes things alittle to serious. To say that “The Hangover” is overrated makes no sense cause any movie goer that went to see that movie knows it isn’t some a great cinematic experience, of course the jokes were immature and the movie was all about yuppies in their late 20′s trying to capture some youthful experience. However, we all have our immature moments and laugh at things that a 5th grader would be, but it isn’t like the this movie was going to go down as the greatest movie ever
Now when it comes to Ferris Bueller’ Day Off you once again take this movie way too seriously. You must first take into account the time period it was based on, the 80′s, a time where kids were rebellious against adults, so Ferris was the perfect character cause he did what most kids at the time dreamed about. Now I understand that he of course “bullied” his best friend Cameron, but Cameron is what I believe most kids are like in high school and all Ferris wanted to do was make him be more confident and stand up for himself which he did in the end. Also, the scene with the car was very important cause, as we were told throughout the movie, Morris (the name of Cameron’s father)loved the car more than his own family, so it took the car being destroyed to snap Cameron out of his funk and vocalize his feelings to his dad, while also maybe allowing his father to realize the more important things in life
How about you do this list again, only use movies that are really overrated like Titanic, Avatar, National Lampoon’s Animal House,Caddyshack, etc.
Dude! You are the Ferris to my Cameron. Except, unlike Cameron, I will not be bullied into re-doing my list :) However, I do agree with you on Avatar.
My main hangup with The Hangover was that all of a sudden it became a litmus test for comedies. Every film that wanted to be perceived as funny had to bill itself “As funny as The Hangover”, or “The next Hangover”.
Also, when have kids not be rebelling against adults?
I appreciate your article, it was cool and when I said redo your list is was all in jest. I see your point about the whole “The Hangover” concept and what would be the next one, but hollywood is never about originality, now its all about remakes, reboots, and doing the same old movies. I just didn’t agree that a movie like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is overrated, cause its one of my favorite all time movies, behind Coming To America.
Thanks for some honest dialogue. So true that Hollywood has lost itself in tired retreads, remakes, and reboots. Are you a Hughes fan in general or was Ferris a one-hit wonder for you? Also, Coming To America is an amazing film.
well some of my favorite movies are The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, National Lampoon’s Vacation, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, were written by him so I guess I am but not a huge fan of all his movies. I mostly watch Asian martial arts movies & tv shows, while the only American movies I watch are movies from the 90′s and 80′s. I must really be intrigued in order to watch some of these Hollywood movies, cause most of them don’t interest. I will say that movies like “Man of Steel” and other comic movies I have a guilty pleasure for, even though I know they won’t be good lol
American films from the 80′s and 90′s (that was a Golden Age for me): Have you ever seen Better off Dead? It’s an amazing, underrated John Cusack film from 1985. There’s a little Hughes in there, but a bite and sense of self-parody that Hughes didn’t have.
We all have our guilty pleasures. I watch Bollywood films with the blinds drawn. :)
This article is completely overrated.
touché
It’s mind-boggling how much it pains fanboys to see someone having a different opinion to them
Yeah, but so are some of the comments. I’m personally sticking up for the writer. There were a number of valid points made. You can’t please some of the people all of the time. Remembering it’s just fun and not critique…Jeez!
Thanks! Really! It is fun to love-hate/hate-love certain films and more fun to discuss them. What would be on your overrated list?
Whoah!! Some pretty compelling replies to a lot of harsh criticisms, and witty too. I would hate to get in an argument with you – your words are like subtle daggers. Anyway I digress…movies I thought were overrated would have to be the SW prequels – the acting was forced or at times very seriously subdued (a better way of saying it was appalling), the CGI was dreadful in places, and because of that made the movies hard to follow. Attack of the Clones was a cinematic low (the worst of the three films) i.e the scene with Tem Morrison & Ewan MacGregor was like watching a racial standoff, it was frickin tense although it wasn’t supposed to be. The actual clones were native-like warriors (in other words token black guys, another sore point) and the lovey dovey scene with Portman & Christensen made me & my friend burst out laughing in the packed theatre with a overly quiet devout Star wars crowd. I do like the SW series but the prequels didn’t deliver where New Hope, Empire & Jedi soared.
BTW The Avengers was so deserved of it’s place at No. 1 on your list. I so hated it! No sane reasoning behind it. I just knew it was going to be crap.
The Dark Knight was sold like some sort of second coming though it did live up to the hype, I enjoyed it – “highly overrated” for the right reasons. But Inception had me waiting in anticipation then the bloody credits rolled – undisputedly lamo! or maybe I just didn’t get it, or possibly want to. I’ll stop rambling now…Thanks again. :D
P.S. This is one of the best responses I’ve seen to any article on WC! in the space of a day. Good Job!
Thanks for responding! I had so much fun reading/responding to the comments.
I agree with you completely on the SW prequels. Attack of the Clones was painful in so many ways–pacing, dialogue, etc. So funny that you mention the lovey dovey scene, one of my favorite cheesy quotes is from Revenge of the Sith when Natalie Portman says: “Hold Me, Anakin, Hold me like you did by the lake on Naboo, so long ago when there was nothing but our love.” Priceless.
Can I ask what sold you on Dark Knight Rises? I agree, if nothing else, Nolan has style.
Oh, a slight misunderstanding. I was refering to The Dark Knight not it’s follow-up which I too have not seen… and I’m not in a hurry to either.
When I mentioned second coming I meant the hoopla building up to the
release of the 2008 feature. Not since The Matrix had I seen anything
quite like it. People literally went Nuts! over it. It was definitely the one film that undoubtedly dominated that year. As I agree it was overrated it was a very well conceived film.
“Nolan has style”, yep, absolutely! I may have to watch Inception again
to get a better appreciation for the incredible thought he put into it.
As with most films I find I judge solely on the execution, chemistry of
the actors as well as performance and storylines that tend to drift.
But then again it’s got to be hard (i.e stressful) for any director to
get it even close to perfect.
That’s why I stay the whole duration of any cinema experience. Those blockbusters have some pretty impressive casts, crews, assistants..etc. Batman Begins is the one I have a big question mark hanging above. I just didn’t get it. (may have to re-watch with a slightly more open mind).
And something else I’ve also noticed is no one on this page included any of the LOTR trilogy or The Hobbit. Now that’s a show of respect if ever I saw one – Big props to Peter Jackson. He’s the Man!
Agreed much respect for Jackson. However, my regard stems from the Frighteners. I’m almost ashamed to admit that I haven’t seen LOTR (I know, I know!).
Hot Fuzz.
Agreed. We were all high on the awesomeness that was Shaun of the Dead :)
Totally agree with many of these choices, Ferris Bueller, Fight Club, Hangover, and Avengers I can’t disagree with being at number 1.
How that bloated CGI snooze fest became one of the biggest grossing movies of all time is beyond me. You see one comic book movie with heroes battling cities in over wrought CGI set pieces, you seen them all.
I think this one (Avengers) especially disappointed me, because I am into comics/good comic book film adaptations and this one just missed the mark by such a huge margin. I also think CGI should die a slow death (or at least be reined in a lot) . What other picks would you put on your overrated list?
Thanks for commenting :)
Hmm.. A woman? That explains a lot.
(scratching my head) it does? What about my being an American? or politically apathetic? Gosh, I’m giving myself away.
Thanks for commenting.
I disagree with Fight Club. I think saying that it’s about “First World Problems” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad film. Look at American Beauty, probably the biggest movie about “First World Problems” but at the same time is one of the greatest movies of recent years (I’m counting 1990-current as recent). The script for Fight Club is witty, the directing is fantastic, the book is also really good, the acting was magnificent, the characters were well developed and realised, and the plot-line itself was interesting and kept me enthralled throughout. Also, I’m sorry, but I think a movie about “a group of guys who get together and figure out how to be better fathers, or a stronger presence in their communities” would have the same “First World Problems” issue you saw with Fight Club – albeit in a different way – as well as probably being incredibly boring. Movies succeed by showing us interesting stories and telling them in a unique and cool way, which Fight Club succeeds at, not informing us about problems that we see on the news.
Since you said Titanic is an example of romantic film, this article seems nothing.
AND films, and art in general, is very subjective.
*Sigh* Another example of this site trying to get a rise out of people. This certainly accomplished that by the sheer number of responses. Guess I’ll add my two cents.
You had some good points on Ferris Bueller as the serious pieces didn’t quite fit. However, the time and subject of this movie made it classic and it’s still enjoyable to this day.
If you thought the comic book movie was done after Thor, then you are obviously out of touch with movie trends. Iron man, Hulk (to some extent), Thor and Captain America were all a setup for THIS MOVIE. If you don’t read comics or don’t know anything about comic book culture, then just stay away from the film. You won’t (and don’t) understand it. This movie was FUN! I’d take this over any drama, horror, or concept movie any day.
Your Dark Knight review: You are dead to me. You are so out of touch with this genre that you aren’t qualified to even sell tickets to one of these flicks.
Over Rated = There’s Something about Mary, The Big Lebowski, (cringe) any of the Twilight series (gag).
Here’s the thing. I’m not saying Ferris Bueller isn’t enjoyable. I enjoy the film, but in my opinion it’s overrated in comparison to other great and (relatively) over looked Hughes films.
Comic book movies were done before Thor (snooze fest). I know that they (Thor and Captain America) were set ups…but the set ups were unsuccessful and the pay off (Avengers) left soooooooo much to be desired. I’m no Kevin Smith, but I’m into comics. And there are good comic book film adaptations (Iron Man, Spiderman 1,2, The Phantom, etc.). I like a fun film, but CGI clustercusses aren’t my cup of tea.
Dark Knight Review: Dead to you? That’s pretty quick considering you didn’t know of my existence before today :) Batman is one of my faves, and I wouldn’t want to sell tickets to a Nolan Batman flick. It would offend my sensibilities. I prefer the more madcap, Ellsworth-edited Batman. Truce?
Your overrated picks: I’m with you on Mary (Funny, but not the Farrelly Brother’s best). Big Lebowski (Agree to disagree…sure you’re not trying to get a rise outta me?) and Twilight is a given.
Touche’! :) I agree that other John Hughs films are more thought provoking and timely. Bueller for me stands out as great because, well, it stands out.
I’m in the camp of pro-CGI so I can see where we differ on that. However I can’t criticize purists as true film as truly artistic movies shouldn’t have any special effects at all. I enjoy those flicks too.
Sorry about the dead comment. :( And yes, truce. That movie is a sticking point for me as I see the whole of it’s brilliance and I love the dark adaption. I grew up in the 80s and 90s and the DARK Knight always felt right for me. The dude’s parents got murdered in front of him for God sakes! How can he not be dark?
You write well and I’d like to see other articles you have penned. You must be doing something right as I have never seen so many responses to one article on this site! :)
I think you tapped into something pretty profound with your Hughes comment: sometimes we just connect with a film. Hard to explain, and impossible (unnecessary) to defend. One of my favorite 80′s films is a little known John Cusack comedy by Savage Steve Holland, Better Off Dead.
You’re pro-CGI? What are some of your faves (when do they get it right)?
I grew up in the 80′s and 90′s too, and I definitely embrace some of the darker aspects of Batman. However, I thought Burton struck a better tone. More melancholy, less anger. I actually enjoy the animated series that aired from 92-95 the most. I ran home as a kid to watch it, but as an adult, I see so much nuance.
Thanks for responding (and the kind words)!
2 DOLLARS!!! I want my 2 DOLLARS! Almost considered a cult classic. That maybe one of the most UNDER-rated movies out there.
pro-CGI – I love a good story and when that is coupled with effects that make it even more seemingly real, I’ll eat it up. But sometimes for different reasons.
Jurassic Park – The original and still one of the best. Differs from the book but the dinosaurs are just plain cool.
The Matrix – CGI combined with amazing camera work (also original). I like the story on top of this also even though it drug out through 2 and 3.
Avatar – Almost every aspect of the story is stolen from somewhere else but James Cameron’s attention to detail when the CGI characters speak needs to be commended. Bad editing really bugs me sometimes.
Lord of the Rings, every comic book movie from Sam Raimi’s Spiderman forward, The Harry Potter films, all of the PIXAR movies, Terminator 2, Pirates of the Carribean 1, Gladiator.
I’m a very visual person so sometimes the effects can hold a movie for me regardless of the story (Avatar is a perfect example). Don’t get me wrong, other favorites of mine are pure story (Clerks, Se7en, Memento). Some others are Tombstone and Sweeny Todd TDBOFS for other reasons also.
Maybe I’m easliy impressed or just love to be entertained by film. But in recent memory of going to the theatre, the first thing I said after the end of The Avengers was “That was… Awesome!” and my wife and daughter totally agreed. We had a lot of fun and were thoroughly entertained for the entire film.
I agree that there’s much to be said for a film that entertains us, and I’m glad your family enjoyed. There are worse films to spend time and money on (I wanted to torch every copy of G.I. Joe after taking my niece and nephew to see it).
You have some interesting CGI picks. I think it works best when used sparingly (with animatronics in Jurassic Park and inventive camera angles in the Matrix). What bothered me about Avatar was that at certain moments, the film looked like a very nicely rendered video game. CGI should be subtle, but this removed me from the experience. Not to mention, my gripes with 3D.
Have you ever seen Holland’s follow-up to Better Off Dead? One Crazy Summer (Can’t approach BOD, but it’s decent).
**”This movie” = The Avengers
Great article. I have enjoyed a few of the movies you listed, some I haven’t seen. But I do agree with the movies I have seen being overrated and the ones I haven’t seen, I have heard from many other people. Tastes in movies are subjective like anything else in life. So those with the negative comments are probably in some kind of god-like awe for one particular movie or director or actor or whatever so it ticks them off that you don’t want to drop to your knees and worship at the alter of whatever they this is the greatest.
This is one of the few articles I have seen that actually uses valid rational points in explaining something. Even if I liked every movie on this list and thought they were the greatest thing ever, I would still be mature enough to respect your difference of opinion.
Thanks! I think you summed it up really well. I had a lot of fun writing and responding to the comments, even the really (really) negative ones. I just think it’s fun to discuss film. So what would be on your list of overrated films?
Does overrated actually mean bad? I can see why these movies are overrated, or over hyped, but that doesn’t mean they’re “bad”. At least that’s how I look at it. Hype can kill a movie more than anything else, and I agree with you on most of these, but for me there is still something enjoyable about them. I liked the article. Keep it going.
Paul,
No, I don’t think overrated means bad, and some of the films (Ferris Bueller, Wizard of Oz) I do actually enjoy. However, hype in the current culture of film, for me at least, usually goes hand in hand with disappointment. With that said, what would your picks for overrated films be?
Thanks for commenting.
Any one of a number of Will Smith films could’ve made the list. Smart Write-up nonetheless with substantial comments…….
Mind you I did get a numb hand from all the scrolling tho.
I think Will Smith is trying so hard for an Oscar (Ali, Seven Pounds, The Pursuit of Happyness) that’s it’s painful to watch. I like him best in blockbusters (Independence Day).
Thanks for commenting!
Ha Ha! I feel the same way, he takes himself a little too seriously to be believed unfortunately. ‘Hancock’, ‘I, Robot’, ‘Men In Black’ are sort of his departure from that elite standing so to speak. As for ‘Independence Day’, it was a very overrated movie back in it’s day but I can’t stop myself watching everytime it screens on TV, I just didn’t like the part where he pulls the alien out from the spacecraft and starts beating up the poor thing, kind of silly really.
Got to ask: Are you looking forward to seeing ‘After Earth’? the new M. Night offering. I’ve read the synopsis and I can’t help think it reeks suspiciously of 2 previous Smith films fused together + Star Wars Ep.IV, and just happens to star Jaden Smith as Will’s son….awwww isn’t that just peachy-keen family entertainment for ya. I’m just scared it ain’t gonna work! Period!
Im sorry i just cant agree with Dark Knight, Avengers. Dark Knight was an almost flawless movie other than yes that god awful voice and I dont know why the just dont blame the killings at end on joker is beyond me but Heath Ledgers performance is Flawless hype or no hype. and underrated to me was Michael Caine as Alfred. And Avengers?? u are so far off that is an amazing action film and probably the best comic book film. It was intended to have a little bit of a saturday morning cartoon because its based on comics we grew up reading. and the last 20 mins is amazing calling it cg garbage is insulting and not every action movie with explosions is michael bay bad. the story was simple but solid, and every acting was solid and true the source material i dont see how its overatted.? please tell me
and phil coulson was basically tasked with bringing them together and is in both iron movies so its kind of believable that he would have developed some level of friendship with tony stark. as for cobie smukders part u win on that one she really didnt do anything
with the avengers they were just trying too hard to make a kid’s movie based on a comics, into an awesome movie for young adults
I do! But what’s more entertaining than coming here, expressing my opinion, then being called names by random strangers? Not much!
Thanks for commenting. :)