TMOS Reviews Thread - Non Spoiler Review and Discussion - Part 6

[slimshady247]

Just know that was said in sarcasm. The only review I care about is my own. I know trailers don't make a movie, but from what I have seen I love the various tones.

Oh I know, I was just saying.

 

[kedrell]

Going to the midnight show in 6 hrs. I'll judge for myself whether it's good or not. That said, the RT meter IS kinda suprising but then it's a Zach Snyder film so I suppose I shouldn't have been all that surprised. Still hoping he finally has made a movie that I will actually enjoy. It'd be a first for him.

 

[Poni_Boy]

The simple fact of the matter is that art imitates life, and despite what some may say or believe, it's rarely the other way around. There are all different kinds of tragedies that affect human beings on a personal level, whether it be terminal illness, drug use, terrorism, or murder. On one of my best friends, a beautiful 21-year-old girl, was recently shot and killed accidentally by a police officer during a home invasion in which the officer fired 8 shots at the criminal who was using my friend as a human shield. One of those bullets hit my friend in the head.

This was one of the most personal tragedies I have ever faced, and it has been a tough summer because of it. However, isn't that a scenario you've seen in films maybe dozens of times? Maybe with different, less tragic outcomes, but similar nonetheless. Will I think of what happened when I see someone's head blown off in movies from now on? Maybe. Sometimes. But I'll never hold it against a film for having imagery that hits close to home for me. It's only natural. It's going to happen.

So, I do understand the compassion for what happened on 9/11, especially for those personally affected by that monstrous tragedy. But I think it's a little unfair to harp on it when it comes to certain film imagery or bring it up as a negative aspect of Man of Steel, especially since we're talking about super-powered beings punching each other across a city and alien spacecrafts leveling buildings. It wasn't an issue when watching Independence Day (since nothing like 9/11 had happened yet), and it shouldn't be in issue forever. When we frown upon this type of destruction in huge sci-fi epics like MOS and Star Trek ID, the terrorists have accomplished part of their goal, IMO. Fear and discomfort.

Very well put. It's why when studios force edits to major aspects of films that by coincidence get stuck between tragic events (i.e. Gangster Squad) it can't help but negatively affect the story. Delay the release? Yes. Replace the entire third act? Shooting yourself in the foot.

I wish I could favorite/save posts like this

 

[TheScarecrow]

How many films out there are critically acclaimed but hated by the audience? There are a lot of them out there.

And how many movies are disliked by critics but do huge money at the BO?

I can think of three Pirates movies, Alice in Wonderland, The Hobbit and Transformers: Dark of the Moon that all went on to make over a billion despite a drubbing from critics. All have spawned (or will spawn) sequels.

 

[Snark88]

Well, then...that's too bad. Trust me, we wish we didn't have be reminded of it either. But when something does, and there's a reason to mention that it did, it's inevitably going to get mentioned.

I know a lot of NYers that were unnerved by the bridges getting blown up in TDKR. Didn't stop anyone from seeing the movie, but it was a little too uncomfortable to watch for some.

Well then I guess i'll just have to ignore them.

 

[TheFlamingCoco]

Another raving blog review" http://lylesmoviefiles.com/2013/06/13/review-man-of-steel/

 

[db85usa]

And how many movies are disliked by critics but do huge money at the BO?

That was exactly my point

 

[slimshady247]

RT just keeps piling on the negative reviews. Hm. Where are all the potential positives?

 

[Snark88]

RT just keeps piling on the negative reviews. Hm. Where are all the potential positives?

Seems like the difference between the amount of positives and negatives are around 20, and have been since yesterday. If that keeps up then it'll probably end up in the low 50s.

 

[slimshady247]

Seems like the difference between the amount of positives and negatives are around 20, and have been since yesterday. If that keeps up then it'll probably end up in the low 50s.

"Maybe"

 

[Adrian22]

I was fortunate to see "Man of Steel" on Monday night at the NYC premiere (by virtue of working with a musician who has a cameo in MoS).

It's an amazing film achievement - with scenes of great visual beauty - space+ imagery that makes me think of the undersea world of anemones and other brilliant creatures. There's heart-tugging emotion, and so much stimulating action it feels like MoS is 45 minutes long.

I loved it, and plan to be in line for the first showing when the movie opens here at home.

This review on the Superman Homepage resonates with my experience - and, hopefully, we all experience Man of Steel for ourselves

 

[TheFlamingCoco]

And how many movies are disliked by critics but do huge money at the BO?

I can think of three Pirates movies, Alice in Wonderland, The Hobbit and Transformers: Dark of the Moon that all went on to make over' a billion despite a drubbing from critics. All have spawned (or will spawn) sequels.

First of all Pirates one got good reviews. Second of all, Alice and Transformers are popular enough CONCEPTS that people will see them anyway. And Hobbit got fresh reviews, but barely at RT.

That's different than a reboot that gets mixed reviews coming off of a sequel that rubbed fans (and non-fans to an extent) the wrong way. Combine that with potentially bad WOM, and MOS could be yet another DC flop.

OR the WOM could eclipse the critics, and hopefully gain a strong sequel with a stronger writer at the helm.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

RT just keeps piling on the negative reviews. Hm. Where are all the potential positives?

130 in so far. IM3 finished with 264 total so that's about 100 more still to go. Whether or not that will help the cause no one knows. Every time it takes a step forward it takes two steps back.

 

[danoyse]

The simple fact of the matter is that art imitates life, and despite what some may say or believe, it's rarely the other way around. There are all different kinds of tragedies that affect human beings on a personal level, whether it be terminal illness, drug use, terrorism, or murder. On one of my best friends, a beautiful 21-year-old girl, was recently shot and killed accidentally by a police officer during a home invasion in which the officer fired 8 shots at the criminal who was using my friend as a human shield. One of those bullets hit my friend in the head.

This was one of the most personal tragedies I have ever faced, and it has been a tough summer because of it. However, isn't that a scenario you've seen in films maybe dozens of times? Maybe with different, less tragic outcomes, but similar nonetheless. Will I think of what happened when I see someone's head blown off in movies from now on? Maybe. Sometimes. But I'll never hold it against a film for having imagery that hits close to home for me. It's only natural. It's going to happen.

So, I do understand the compassion for what happened on 9/11, especially for those personally affected by that monstrous tragedy. But I think it's a little unfair to harp on it when it comes to certain film imagery or bring it up as a negative aspect of Man of Steel, especially since we're talking about super-powered beings punching each other across a city and alien spacecrafts leveling buildings. It wasn't an issue when watching Independence Day (since nothing like 9/11 had happened yet), and it shouldn't be in issue forever. When we frown upon this type of destruction in huge sci-fi epics like MOS and Star Trek ID, the terrorists have accomplished part of their goal, IMO. Fear and discomfort.

I'm sorry about your friend.

And I agree, bringing up 9/11 just because a building explodes, or bringing it up for the sake of bringing it up is unnecessary.

I've never not seen a movie because the imagery reminds me of 9/11.

The attack on NY in Avengers reminded me of 9/11, but I loved it and saw it 4 times.

The attack on Gotham City in TDKR reminded me of 9/11, but I saw that 3 times.

The final act of Star Trek Into Darkness reminded me of 9/11, but I loved that movie and I've seen it 3 times.

I could go on and on about plenty of other movies that invoked that imagery for me, but I see no reason to bring it up unless there's a reason to. Maybe if I found it gratuitous, or it bothered me to a point where it was uncomfortable to watch, it would be worth a mention. But thus far its never stopped me from seeing a movie, or liking a movie less because of it.

And again - I agree that a critic should only bring it up if there's a legitimate reason to bring it up.

But being from that area, it can be uncomfortable to watch. And no amount of 'hey, it was 12 years ago,, grow a pair and get over it already' is going to make that imagery easier to watch.

 

[slimshady247]

130 in so far. IM3 finished with 264 total so that's about 100 more still to go. Whether or not that will help the cause no one knows. Every time it takes a step forward it takes two steps back.

Yeah, I'm getting annoyed at that trend. I'm hoping it manages to climb back to 60% with so many reviews waiting in the wings.

 

[The Shape]

Very well put. It's why when studios force edits to major aspects of films that by coincidence get stuck between tragic events (i.e. Gangster Squad) it can't help but negatively affect the story. Delay the release? Yes. Replace the entire third act? Shooting yourself in the foot.

I wish I could favorite/save posts like this

Thanks.

I can understand the uneasiness of the Ganger Squad theater scene, and I don't hold it against them for cutting it. But in that case, in the film, you had a major scene in which innocent people were literally massacred in a movie theater. Bullets hitting bodies. VERY reminiscient of the Colorado theater massacre. Had they made the film two years later, that'd be a different story, but Gangster Squad suffered from really poor timing. It would've seen as poor taste to put out the movie as it was.

That's also quite different than men flying around in tights and capes battling each other as the "fate of humanity" lies in the balance.

 

[kedrell]

And how many movies are disliked by critics but do huge money at the BO?

I can think of three Pirates movies, Alice in Wonderland, The Hobbit and Transformers: Dark of the Moon that all went on to make over a billion despite a drubbing from critics. All have spawned (or will spawn) sequels.

POTC1 & The Hobbit really don't belong among those others. THey got good reviews more or less and are currently fresh on RT. None of the others are. And 90% of the complaints about TH were all about the frame rate which was completely avoidable by simply seeing it in 2-D.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

First of all Pirates one got good reviews. Second of all, Alice and Transformers are popular enough CONCEPTS that people will see them anyway. And Hobbit got fresh reviews, but barely at RT.

That's different than a reboot that gets mixed reviews coming off of a sequel that rubbed fans (and non-fans to an extent) the wrong way. Combine that with potentially bad WOM, and MOS could be yet another DC flop.

OR the WOM could eclipse the critics, and hopefully gain a strong sequel with a stronger writer at the helm.

Absolutely correct on all points. And let's not forget Alice was riding the coat tails of Avatar with the 3D craze just beginning to explode. Audience got a taste of the 3D in Avatar and wanted more and Alice capitalized off of that.

 

[db85usa]

I'm sorry about your friend.

And I agree, bringing up 9/11 just because a building explodes, or bringing it up for the sake of bringing it up is unnecessary.

I've never not seen a movie because the imagery reminds me of 9/11.

The attack on NY in Avengers reminded me of 9/11, but I loved it and saw it 4 times.

The attack on Gotham City in TDKR reminded me of 9/11, but I saw that 3 times.

The final act of Star Trek Into Darkness reminded me of 9/11, but I loved that movie and I've seen it 3 times.

I could go on and on about plenty of other movies that invoked that imagery for me, but I see no reason to bring it up unless there's a reason to. Maybe if I found it gratuitous, or it bothered me to a point where it was uncomfortable to watch, it would be worth a mention. But thus far its never stopped me from seeing a movie, or liking a movie less because of it.

And again - I agree that a critic should only bring it up if there's a legitimate reason to bring it up.

But being from that area, it can be uncomfortable to watch. And no amount of 'hey, it was 12 years ago,, grow a pair and get over it already' is going to make that imagery easier to watch.

That's like someone telling me to get over my brother who died from cancer when he was 24. It's something that will never happen. You don't get over it. You cope with it and accept it, always remembering.

 

[Hammer!]

I don't really care about the percentage. For me, the most telling feature of a film is the average rating which is currently a 6.3. That's the highest average I've seen for a 'rotten' film in quite some time. 6/10 is still pretty good in my book!

 

[Jake Cassidy]

POTC1 & The Hobbit really don't belong among those others. THey got good reviews more or less and are currently fresh on RT. None of the others are. And 90% of the complaints about TH were all about the frame rate which was completely avoidable by simply seeing it in 2-D.

He never mentioned Pirates 1. He was talking about the 3 sequels.

 

[Snark88]

Here's a review I just saw from a regular movie goer. He basically explains the film in a nutshell, the positives and the negatives:

Spoiler

I can confirm it. They ruined Superman.

As a polite person I wont go into spoilers (it has no plot so there are actually none, but anyways).

The movie goes like this:

Act 1: Origins. Introduction of the setting, great characters, emotional moments. Hype: 100%
Act 2: Superman punches.
Act 3: Superman punches harder.

They dropped all the character development and inspirational motives after the first arc. Second and third acts are Superman punching everything. You could easily swap him with Hulk for what its worth and would be still the same movie.

They didnt get the character at all. Superman is what Jesus to religious people. Must fill your heart with happiness and hope. They certainly failed to achieve this. The only time that Superman has to make a hard decision (at the end), he actually chooses the easier and faster one. I wont say the wrong one because Im not that moral or into Batman. But he certainly choose the easy way out.

On the bright side, the fx are great. You can truly see the scope of the frighting kryptonian powers. The soundtrack is godly and the acting is solid. The movie has an unique look, all the action feels great and make the Avenger´s effect look cartoony and fake in comparisson. Pa Kent was awesome. Goty dad.

Direction and cinematography: 10/10
OST and sound edition: 10/10
Acting: Great 9/10.
Action scenes: 10/10
Mechanical and technological design: 10/10
Plot and script: 2/10 awful. Avengers II: Electric boogalo

Rating: 6/10, would not be inspired.

 

[Poni_Boy]

Thanks.

I can understand the uneasiness of the Ganger Squad theater scene, and I don't hold it against them for cutting it. But in that case, in the film, you had a major scene in which innocent people were literally massacred in a movie theater. Bullets hitting bodies. VERY reminiscient of the Colorado theater massacre. Had they made the film two years later, that'd be a different story, but Gangster Squad suffered from really poor timing. It would've seen as poor taste to put out the movie as it was.

That's also quite different than men flying around in tights and capes battling each other as the "fate of humanity" lies in the balance.

I personally didn't feel the link between any real world destruction and MOS. If some did I can definitely understand why because [BLACKOUT]there are several long scenes of the turmoil while buildings come down at street level. No actual fighting in sight. [/BLACKOUT] But I also think some reviewers invoke the 9/11 comparison because they know it's a reference EVERYONE can visualize, and that is irresponsible of them.

As far as Gangster Squad, they delayed the release by six months and also completely changed the third act. What they replaced it with was very poorly written, shot and forced into the film. I think that's very unfair to the film makers. Delay it for a year if need be or if rewrites are absolutely necessary make sure the replacement is of equal caliber (i.e. Spider-Man). Just my opinion though.

 

[Poni_Boy]

Absolutely correct on all points. And let's not forget Alice was riding the coat tails of Avatar with the 3D craze just beginning to explode. Audience got a taste of the 3D in Avatar and wanted more and Alice capitalized off of that.

I hated Alice. Loathed. It physically made me upset sitting there watching it. But, it's a family movie and since my kids loved the hell out of it I took them to see it three times. In 3D (which I also avoid). Just like with Transformers, Pixar movies, etc, kids are still the #1 target demographic for summer movies.

 

[TheScarecrow]

Absolutely correct on all points. And let's not forget Alice was riding the coat tails of Avatar with the 3D craze just beginning to explode. Audience got a taste of the 3D in Avatar and wanted more and Alice capitalized off of that.

And Man of Steel is riding the coat tails of The Dark Knight Trilogy.