Going to the Movies: Everyone's a Critic

Last weekend the hubby and I went to Iron Man on the big screen. I sat there for the duration of the movie, absolutely besotted. Iron Man was an excellent movie. There was no doubt in my mind. I felt that Robert Downey Jr. inhabited Tony Stark so well I forgot he was acting. The whole experience was great for me.

Then I get home and read some of the reviews. They were mostly good but some were a buzz kill. How someone can pick a movie apart with such bone cutting precision is beyond me. To me, the whole joy is actually going to the show, getting a small bag of popcorn, and watching the movie. It is an event for me, and I seldom walk away disappointed.

Evidently I am in the minority.

I don't know how many times I have went to see a movie, felt like it was alright, and been pretty much satisfied with the whole deal, only to have friends or co-workers rip it to shreds. The acting was flat. The way the movie was cut detracted from the viewing. The ending sucked. It wasn't what I expected. It goes on and on.

My point is this: sometimes a movie is just a movie. It may not be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but it is an escape. That is why artistic license works in the absence of all other reason. That is why we continue to spend our money going to a show rather then staying home and watching our big screen hi-def entertainment centers.

An example for me of a movie I enjoyed that others hated is 10,000 B.C. In my mind, the cinematography was awe inspiring. Some parts lagged a bit, but I was caught up in the beauty I was seeing onscreen. There was a bit of an emotional touch to the movie, and while it wasn't a film I would buy on DVD, I wasn't disappointed. I got my $7.50 worth and went on my way. When I talked to others afterwards, I was really saddened. They didn't like it. They thought it sucked. Okay. That is your opinion.

The greatest blunder many moviegoers continue to touch on is the second Star Wars trilogy. Because of the progression of technology and the lack of chemistry some of the actors had paired with subpar dialogue, many folks have taken the whole thing as a personal slap in the face. That makes me sad. Since it is almost impossible to surpass what magic Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, and Mark Hamill had together in the first trilogy, I am not surprised that the second one wasn't as well received. I was let down by how harsh folks were, having really enjoyed Ewan MacGregor, Samuel L. Jackson, and Liam Neeson as Jedis. I know that I am in the minority, and that the movies didn't capture lightning in a bottle like the first time around, but going in it was pretty damn obvious that it wouldn't be the same.

Please Star Wars fans, don't send me hate mail. I am just trying to get the point across that many moviegoers have such perceived notions about a film that they will never enjoy the actual movie itself. That is what is sure to happen when Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull opens tomorrow. I am mentally preparing myself that I will like it, while many others will be pissed or sad because it doesn't meet their expectations.

Maybe I am simple and it is obvious I am not a movie critic, but I plan to go and enjoy the movies this summer. Indy, Dark Knight, Sex & the City, Hulk, Hancock, and many more are on my list. Some will be better then others, and I expect this. It is a fact of life, so I am trying to go in with an open mind, knowing that I will spend $7.50 and watching something that was lovingly created by people that had a vision. Thank God for creative expression.

Next time you walk into the movie theater, try and focus on the experience. Are you there with loved ones or good friends? Is it paired with dinner or some other activity? Did you really enjoy getting out of the house and doing something out of the ordinary? Ask yourself these questions rather then going in with a closed mind. I guarantee it will increase the joy of it all 100 fold.