10 Critically Abused Films That We All Loved Anyway (And Why)
Sometimes the pros get it way, way wrong.
Despite the ever-rising cost of tickets and the horrendously overpriced confectionery, many of us still opt for the cinema over cheaper, more convenient modes of movie consumption. It wasn’t that long ago that going to see a new movie every week wouldn’t put too serious a dent in your wallet, though nowadays most of us are forced to pick and choose the films we are willing to pay to see, which is precisely why the opinion of the film critic has never been more important.
Even if you see a film trailer and immediately think Oscars, one bad word from a respected critic can be enough to change your mind about a movie, but taking a second to review the reviewer might just reveal why their opinion – well-respected or otherwise – should not always be taken as gospel.
While some top critics are firm but fair with their reviews, many can be tirelessly cynical and fail to recognise that there is more to a good film than intellectualism. Others don’t appreciate genres and mark movies down because of it, while the worst of them simply jump on the bandwagon and write a film off without really giving it a chance.
Of course, professional film critics are professional film critics for a reason, and their input is often invaluable to the picky film fan, though sometimes the opinions of other regular movie-goers need to be taken into account. If a friend or a colleague sees a film and tells you that you’ll love it, trust them, because sometimes the pros get it way, way wrong…
10. The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (2004)
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 56%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 82%
Wes Anderson’s fourth feature film stars regular collaborator Bill Murray as Steve Zissou, an eccentric oceanographer who assembles a team of seamen and sets out to take revenge on the so-called jaguar shark that ate his partner and friend, Esteban.
The film was something of a cross between a parody and a homage, with Anderson’s inspiration for the character coming from French explorer and pioneer of diving Jacques Cousteau, to whom the film is dedicated.
What The Critics Said:
Unlike Anderson’s previous effort the much-loved The Royal Tenenbaums – which holds an impressive 80% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes – The Life Aquatic failed to float the critics’ boats. The deep sea adventure film was dubbed smug, ironic and artificial, with Anderson’s signature style being called into question.
The New Yorker’s Anthony Lane criticised the movie for its unmistakable air of playacting, suggesting that large chunks of it seem to take place within invisible quotation marks.
Why We Love It Anyway:
For a film with so much water, The Life Aquatic is very, very dry, and in the end it was simply too dry for the taste of even some of the top film critics.
While those in the know where calling it a lazy and dreary effort, Audience Reviews on Rotten Tomatoes were hailing The Life Aquatic as hilarious, heartfelt and visually stunning, with some viewers that were not fans of the director’s previous work admitting that it was this film that turned them into Wes Anderson fans.