Why are critics so harsh on films? Many of you as my readers may think that my reviews are harsh, but those who write for magazines and online articles tend to rip movies to shreds. I never really understood this growing up, and to be honest, I don't often look at reviews as an adult. But when I do, I still notice the intensity that these writers. They seem to rip the actors, directors and crew into minuscule pieces while they type away on their computers. Reflecting on all of this, I realize that I have the tendency to do the same.
So why are we so harsh on the films that we like? I find that critics are harsher on films because the films matter to them more than the average Joe. Seems backwards I know, but when thinking about it more, the critics care more deeply about not only the film that they are reviewing, but all films. Looking at myself, I watch most films that I can get my hands on. I go to movies like it's going out of style, and will see anything and everything. I also repeat watching films and go back in actor's filmographies to discover more about their methodology and how they go through the process of making their characters. So when I watch a new movie in theaters, say for instance Now You See Me, I am comparing Mark Ruffalo's character to every role that I have seen him portray in the past. It's almost like a film strip in my head, the comparisons that role through and the thoughts that I have about whether he is doing the role justice or not. Which in the case of Ruffalo in that film, I think it was his best work ever.
Film critics do the exact same, but they are comparing a million and one other things. For them to watch a movie, it's an entire process. They aren't watching the film for enjoyment, they are watching it to critique (I know it doesn't seem like rocket science but to some people this is a revelation). Critics compare movies, actors, directors and crews until they are blue in the face. While you might just be watching the action packed scene, they are looking into the lighting, the scenery, the animation and so on and how it all ties together to present a good front or a bad front.
So the next time that you read a review before going to see a film, take it with a grain of salt. Just because I happened to slam the movie, or claim it's the best one ever, doesn't mean that you won't have the opposite feeling. Reading reviews on MSN for instance can deter you from going to said movie, when it could end up being one of your favorites. The greater message here is that everyone has different opinions and people are going to have different reactions to films. But the overall reason why there are so many different kinds of movies, is because there are so many different kinds of people. So get out there and go to the movies, you can even become a critic yourself.
So why are we so harsh on the films that we like? I find that critics are harsher on films because the films matter to them more than the average Joe. Seems backwards I know, but when thinking about it more, the critics care more deeply about not only the film that they are reviewing, but all films. Looking at myself, I watch most films that I can get my hands on. I go to movies like it's going out of style, and will see anything and everything. I also repeat watching films and go back in actor's filmographies to discover more about their methodology and how they go through the process of making their characters. So when I watch a new movie in theaters, say for instance Now You See Me, I am comparing Mark Ruffalo's character to every role that I have seen him portray in the past. It's almost like a film strip in my head, the comparisons that role through and the thoughts that I have about whether he is doing the role justice or not. Which in the case of Ruffalo in that film, I think it was his best work ever.
Film critics do the exact same, but they are comparing a million and one other things. For them to watch a movie, it's an entire process. They aren't watching the film for enjoyment, they are watching it to critique (I know it doesn't seem like rocket science but to some people this is a revelation). Critics compare movies, actors, directors and crews until they are blue in the face. While you might just be watching the action packed scene, they are looking into the lighting, the scenery, the animation and so on and how it all ties together to present a good front or a bad front.
So the next time that you read a review before going to see a film, take it with a grain of salt. Just because I happened to slam the movie, or claim it's the best one ever, doesn't mean that you won't have the opposite feeling. Reading reviews on MSN for instance can deter you from going to said movie, when it could end up being one of your favorites. The greater message here is that everyone has different opinions and people are going to have different reactions to films. But the overall reason why there are so many different kinds of movies, is because there are so many different kinds of people. So get out there and go to the movies, you can even become a critic yourself.
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