Don't Listen to Critics

I've been hearing a number of people talking about going to see movies lately, or in other cases not going to see them because of critics reviews lately. Movie reviews, especially those done by critics, tend to get under my skin. It's for a number of reasons. Of the biggest issues I have with them is the fact that they always spoil some part of the movie. A critique on an advertisement is one thing, but it's rare for them to even mention the adverts. Oddly enough, a movie is getting ready to come out. We all know that critics tend to bash what end up being some of the best shows out there. And then they give praise to those that should have been left on the cutting room floor. But people still rush to them. Even news broadcast will bring up what's been said about a movie.

So you take a look at what the average critic has to say. Sure the lighting may be brought up, overbearing lens flares, over use of neon's, unusual angles. Sometimes even the music is mentioned. But how often to critics actually stop to recognize that it has to do with the scene that the director is trying to create? Rare. But they're happy to bash it. Especially if it's a new technique. But for a big name, they'll sit there in aw. (Keep in mind I'm not reviewing if a movie is good based on these examples) For example, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. They talked about how great the 3D was, and how it would blow you away. With exception of the plant growth during the end credits, this was NOT a movie worth seeing in 3D. Yet for Prometheus, they talked about how horrible it was. While the movie overall didn't benefit much from 3D as a whole, it was certainly better that Alice in Wonderland. The 3D effects of the holo-screens on the ship, and the landing sequence were gorgeous and truly benefited from the treatment. But in general, it was another in a long list of movies where 3D was just a gimmick. To date, I have seen more cartoons that have benefited from 3D than, live action movies.

Then you look at the high praise that they give to all the re-boots that Hollywood has been churning out lately. While some have been legitimately good shows, the praise is not needed. When you're looking at a re-boot, and a critic says that the "originality" of the movie is wonderful, my blood starts to boil. WHAT ORIGINALITY, IT'S A RE-BOOT? There's nothing new here. The premise hasn't changed. There's no new bad guys. And the outcome is still the same. What's worse is when they can spew that, and then start talking about how a re-boot of the same series is going to be something to look forward to. If you need an example, this is exactly what's happened with the Batman franchise. While Nolan was still working on Dark Knight Rises and said it would be the last in his trilogy, this morons were already drooling over what the next incarnation of the Bat will be. Are you guys seriously this dumb, or do you just play that roll on TV?

Then you have movies where the critic obviously has no idea what the source material is. For instance Punisher War Zone was panned as being too dark and violent. Have you never heard of this comic franchise? That's what he does! Then Aliens Vs Predator Requiem was trashed for being too violent, especially because children and babies were killed as part of the story line. So let me get this straight. It was alright to open a flame thrower up on a kid that an alien came out of in Aliens, but showing that humans are nothing to aliens in this venue is different and wrong. You're joking right?

Lets take a look at their views on realism too. You have to love how a movie is so realistic, with fabulous fight scenes. So then you're watching this flick and it's time for the action. John Cena is fighting some bad guy. A body slam here, a flying clothesline there, and for extra measure he then tackles the guy and they go through the wall. Where exactly is the realism again? Have you ever been in a fight, let alone seen one?

The fact that these hacks are actually paid for their opinion sickens me. While some of the opinions they give may be fact, if you pay enough attention to them over time, you'll see they are as fake as "reality" TV. How they can sit there, give praise, and "highly recommend" a movie that the general public quickly shoots down is proof of that.

Bottom line, critics are offering paid opinions that are garbage and aimed to get your interest one way or another. If they're not saying, "Go watch this," then they are saying, "Go watch this because I'm saying not to." So make it easy on yourself. Is it an genre you like? Does the advertisement seem interesting? Is the concept interesting? If the answer to 2 or more of these is yes, then go see it and make your own opinion. You're not a sheep, don't let yourself be herded like one.