Movie Critics VS Fan Reviews: Who Should You Trust?
Movie Critics vs. Fan Reviews: Who Should You Trust?
Welcome to MsMojo, and today were analyzing the impact of movie critics, fan reviews, and who you should trust.
In March 2023, A. O. Scott stepped away from his film critic role at The New York Times. Scott said of his departure, the feeling of disconnection between the critic and the audience feels much stronger and the gulf feels much wider. That divide continues to grow. Critics at Cannes praised Emilia Pérez as bold and important. The Film Twitter community found it tonally confused and more problematic than progressive, as reflected through a less than 20% positive audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics rolled their eyes at A Minecraft Movie as another shallow case of IP mining. Meanwhile, fans have spoken with their wallets and chickens. While there are numerous movies critics and audiences agree on, the gap goes back further than you think.
After inflation, The Sound of Music remains one of the ten highest-grossing films ever. Upon release, though, the critical reception was middling, with Pauline Kael writing an especially scathing critique. This supposedly got Kael fired, although she rebounded with a review championing Bonnie and Clyde. At the time, Kael and Roger Ebert were among the only critics who realized the genius of that game-changing crime drama. Various critics, most notably Bosley Crowther, condemned the controversial film. Audiences got the last word, making Bonnie and Clyde a bona fide hit. Not long after, Crowther was replaced as The New York Times film critic. Psycho, The Shining, and The Godfather Part II are just a few other classics that initially received mixed reviews, but found passionate audiences.
Since 1979, CinemaScore has tracked audience responses to movies. The Empire Strikes Back was among the first to garner an A+ CinemaScore, but many critics didnt review it as favorably as the original Star Wars. Now, Empire is almost universally considered the franchises apex. The rise of blockbusters like Star Wars forever changed cinema, further separating critics from general moviegoers. Film keeps evolving, as does film criticism, with the internet providing a platform for everyone. Yet, the way critics and audiences interpret films hasnt radically changed. Critics tend to judge films based on artistic merit, originality, and impact on the art form. Audience opinions are driven more by emotional appeal and sheer entertainment value. So, who should we trust when picking a movie to watch?
Lets see if we can settle this in three rounds!
Round 1: Credibility
Seasoned critics have dedicated their careers to studying film, accumulating vast knowledge of the craft and regularly reviewing. Critics are more inclined to appreciate details that might be lost on general audiences, like references to classic Hollywood in Hail, Caesar! and Babylon. Since critics are exposed to so many cliched plots and overused tropes, they usually appreciate it when a film like Uncut Gems, Mother!, or even Emilia Pérez takes a big swing. Of course, just because a film is unique doesnt always mean its well-assembled or even entertaining. If hundreds of critics praise a film the public hates, is the smaller group right? Are critics focusing on the wrong elements, or are they digging deeper to unearth what others are missing?
Audience critiques might not be as detailed as critic reviews, although theyre more easily digestible. The Greatest Showman had beautiful music, Red Notice had a fun cast, Venom had Venom. Fan reactions to tentpoles tend to be more generous, hence why studios are featuring audience scores in ads. When you really think about some of these movies, though, more issues with the plot and characters become apparent. Most audiences arent looking to analyze, however. They just want to be entertained for two hours. Fair enough, but is this approach dumbing cinema down? As much as critics nitpick, fans too can dwell on negative aspects while ignoring what works. Fan reviews can also veer into empty, toxic criticisms like Rey is a Mary Sue!
Film shouldnt simply be categorized as good or bad. All movies have layers, some positive, some negative, others mixed. Critics have the credentials to uncover these elements, opening up a conversation that may leave you seeing the film in a different light. This round goes to the critics.
Critics 1 / Fans 0
Round 2: Reliability
Critics choose this profession because they love cinema, not because they thrive on trashing movies (as fun as that can be). Contrary to conspiracy theories, studios dont bribe critics. When critics praise Marvel while bashing DC, Disney isnt pulling the strings. Its their honest opinions. Whether or not you agree, what matters most is a critics ability to thoughtfully share their perspective. Yet, its important to consider the demographics primarily dominating review aggregator sites. According to a 2022 study, 69% of critics across various media are male. This might explain why genres that cater more toward female viewers, ie rom-coms, dont always get the best reviews. The art of criticism also seems to be shifting from astutely written commentary to YouTubers ranting before a webcam.
Where critics groups are exclusive clubs, anyone can post their thoughts online. Audiences are more volatile, reacting based on immediate emotional responses instead of sitting with a film, taking in deeper subtext. They may not be as articulate, but user reviews reflect a more diverse collection of voices. However, audience scores are more susceptible to review bombing, despite the measures sites like Rotten Tomatoes have taken to prevent this practice. Fans of certain franchises can have a cult-like mentality, blindly worshiping the latest release as long as it doesnt betray what came before. Those who go against the hive mind are targets for trolling. Then again, fans who live and breathe the source material may have more insight than a critic who isnt as well-versed.
While neither camp is 100% reliable, the fact that there are more male than female or non-binary critics doesnt allow for the most balanced consensus. Audience scores are like the popular vote, which provides a more reliable record of peoples views than the electoral college. This round is for the fans.
Critics 1 / Fans 1
Round 3: Versatility
People assume critics tastes are limited to arthouse cinema. In reality, most critics have a broad palate, embracing a range of genres. Still, critics are known for being harsher toward certain types of films, ie traditional slasher flicks, sentimental melodramas, or slapstick comedies. They can be especially snobbish about IP-driven blockbusters. The Super Bros. Movie was criticized for relying on Easter eggs, nostalgia, and fan service. Of course, thats what fans loved about it. You could make the same argument about Ready Player One, which critics generally enjoyed. Some may argue theyre out of touch with mainstream tastes, but critics play a crucial role in highlighting original films like Poor Things, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and The Substance, which mightve gone overlooked otherwise.
The publics taste sometimes surprises us. Sausage Party and Spy Kids have fresh critic scores on Rotten Tomatoes, but the popcornmeter for both is negative. Youd think it would be the other way around, but this shows critics can enjoy a grossout comedy or a chaotic kids flick more than the average moviegoer. Where professional critics get to/have to review numerous movies, fans cherry-pick what aligns with their interests. In most cases, theyll prioritize films with brand recognition, allowing original works to fall through the cracks. Although many are content with eating the same meal Hollywood keeps serving, some cinephiles will seek out more ambitious and independent fare. That said, those films probably wouldnt have been on their radars if not for the critics.
While critics dont always get it right, their commitment to watching as much as possible exhibits a wider appreciation for movies. Critics encourage others to step out of their comfort zones, both in terms of filmmaking and film viewing. The more you see, the more versatile your tastes become. Thus, were giving thumbs up to the critics for the win.
Critics 2 / Fans 1
Of course, these are merely our thoughts. Just as film is subjective, this conversation doesnt end with one opinion. Share yours in comments. Do you place your trust in critics, fans, or a bit of both? In any case, its okay to disagree on movies as long as we can all agree the art form is worth discussing.
