The Controversy of Movie Scores: Audience vs Critics
Professional movie critics face a unique challenge: they are required to watch every movie released in cinema, regardless of their personal preferences. This precludes them from having a fully unbiased viewing experience, as it differs significantly from that of the audience. The audience can choose the movies they want to watch, often based on factors such as personal interest or curiosity.
Consider the case of Warcraft, a film that has garnered a wide range of opinions both from critics and audiences. Is the discrepancy in the scores a result of an audience being ignorant, or are movie critics unfairly biased against game-based movies? Let's delve deeper into this issue.
The Audience Angle: Expectations vs Reality
Imagine picking 100 random people from the street and asking them to watch Warcraft. It's highly likely that most wouldn't enjoy it, as they have little to no knowledge of the source material or the characters involved. They are not emotionally invested in the narrative, which makes it easier to watch and appreciate the entertainment value of the film.
In contrast, the audience that buys tickets for Warcraft is a different story. These viewers are aware of what they are getting into, expecting an action-adventure film featuring familiar characters from the game. Many of these viewers find their expectations met, leading to higher audience scores. This indicates that not every movie needs to be a profound psychological exploration of the human condition; sometimes, we simply want a straightforward entertainment experience complete with action, adventure, and a few explosions.
Critic Objectivity: Biased Criteria
Critics are often criticized for their subjective opinions and potential biases. Movies are complex works of art with intricate narratives, characters, and themes. Critics, especially those with no personal connection to the game franchise, may struggle to provide a fair assessment because the characters and setting might be totally unrelatable to them. This can lead to a skewed perception of the film.
However, it is important to note that many audiences are also subjective and can base their opinions on personal preferences and entertainment value. Critics often provide detailed and nuanced reviews, but these can contain spoilers that some viewers might desire to avoid.
The Utility of Consensus Scores
Despite these challenges, I find the consensus scores on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes to be quite useful for making decisions on whether to watch a movie. I used to enjoy reading film reviews but now do so much less frequently because many contain spoilers. Like with movie trailers, knowing as little as possible before watching can enhance the viewing experience.
When considering a movie, I begin by checking the Rotten Tomatoes consensus score. A score below 40 is a clear red flag, and I usually don't waste my time on such movies. Scores between 40-60 often require some further exploration of the critic blurbs to understand what aspects the critics liked or disliked. These blurbs usually avoid specific plot details, which can be helpful in making an informed decision. I've found that I can enjoy many movies with a 50 RT score, as they might appeal to a polarized audience. For direct-to-streaming videos with limited Rotten Tomatoes reviews, I sometimes check the IMDb rating, though I generally avoid titles with ratings below 6.0.
Nowadays, the only time I read a movie review is after watching the film to see how my reaction compares with others. This post-screening analysis is often the most enlightening, as it provides insights into my initial impressions and how they align (or discrepancies) with the broader audience response.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the divide between critic and audience scores highlights the subjective nature of film appreciation. While critics provide a valuable perspective, it is essential to keep in mind that movies are ultimately for the enjoyment of the audience. Sometimes, a straightforward, entertaining experience is all that is needed. By using tools like Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb, we can make informed decisions and enjoy the movies that resonate with us the most.