10 Brilliant Films That Are Easy Targets For Haters

Holding the title of Steven Spielberg’s most criminally underrated film, A.I. is often derided for its massively divisive third act, which detractors claim is Spielberg succumbing to his overly-sentimental sensibilities and, worse than that, tarnishing the memory of Stanley Kubrick, who had been developing the film for years before bequeathing it to Spielberg.

Naturally, this couldn't be further from the truth. One important detail many cynics ignore is that Kubrick handed the film over to Spielberg a whole four years before his death and the director remained very faithful to the original treatment - polarizing ending and all. If one is willing to look past this ridiculous controversy, you will find a film that works incredibly well on many levels. 

Not everyone who watches A.I. will recognize its throbbing complexity; it’s an oversight that obscures one of Spielberg’s best films.  A flawed film, for sure, but beautifully crafted, visually dazzling, rich with metaphor and deeply affecting nonetheless.