Hi all. This is my first topic post. Just wondering if the movie critics will influence whether you view Spectre favorably or unfavorably? I am in the U.S. and haven't viewed Spectre yet (can't wait to though!!). Rotten Tomatoes have overall favorable reviews, but only 40 critics have posted. When it's all said and done, Spectre will have more than 200 reviews. I don't like to see the RT rating for Bond flicks until after I've seen it, but Yahoo posted the overall average one day. Thanks.
Will reviews influence your opinion of SPECTRE?
#1
Posted 28 October 2015 - 09:01 PM
#2
Posted 28 October 2015 - 09:05 PM
It will be a box office success in any case, even if it doesn't quite live up to SKYFALL in a pure monetary sense.
#3
Posted 28 October 2015 - 09:21 PM
75 - thanks for putting a topic up.
As a fan, reviews would never put me off watching, but clearly, they have an influence on the general public. As for this franchise, as has been noted in some other threads, if you look hard enough you can definitely detect a sense of "pre-ordained activity" on the part of the critics. Until CR, there was a general "we're above it all" from the critics, who only ever judged Bond as part of a franchise, rather than standalone films that demanded a unique viewpoint. A critic either took a Bond seriously as a piece of movie-making or just judged as part of a franchise.
I do think Bond's position, unique amongst franchises, makes it critic-proof (to an extent) - and the critics know that. So they engage in a pattern of praise one, take a shot at the next. They loved SF, so I'm sure SP will get it in some quarters. Critics ultimately don't want to come across as a cheerleader - if nothing else, if they don't put the boot in, then they probably fear losing some critic street-cred.......
#4
Posted 28 October 2015 - 09:52 PM
The critics? Well, of course the professionals try to put their spin on it and influence their readers, that's part of their job, regardless if it's hacks or actual thinking viewers - far less than you would assume, by the way.
What I would wish for, what would be a near-perfect outcome, would be that reviewers like SPECTRE not just as a Bond film, but just as a good film, period. But you might say, up to a point we've been there already. And as colleague plankattack already noted, a critic loves a hatchet job much more, for various reasons, not all of them actually related to the object of his critique.
Indeed, Bond films are not primarily productions for the critics, they are made for the average audience. Not that I actually get a too mixed response up to now, neither by word of mouth nor by actual reviews. There are of course always a few disappointed voices, but surely not more than back in SKYFALL's hayday.
#5
Posted 28 October 2015 - 11:01 PM
I like positive reviews for the overall influence it has on the general viewing public. But as a Bond fan, I will love it no matter what, and will only ever rank it within the Bondsphere of films, all of which I always - and always will - enjoy. I don't think any Bond film can ever truly be terrible, though I enjoy and re-watch some more than others. Can't wait to see it! Just another agonizing week to go.
#6
Posted 28 October 2015 - 11:05 PM
I've read a couple of reviews and it sounds promising but i can't really have an opinion on the film until i've seen it on the 4th of November ( my 21st birthday)
#7
Posted 29 October 2015 - 04:29 PM
The reviews not being over the top ecstatic keeps my expectations in check, that's a good thing. It was a little bit harder to appreciate Fury Road for example, and Winter Soldier was very disappointing.
#8
Posted 30 October 2015 - 02:12 AM
Yes I would judge it for its merits when I see it soon. Don't care for critics opinions that much. I was a bit cynical for all the high praise that went to Skyfall. It wasn't a bad film, but I'm wondering if critics judge it differently because it is a Bond film. They're supposed to be enjoyab;e fluff I get it but I remember Owen Gleiberman from Entertainment Weekly giving "Die Another Day" a rating of A-. Ridiculous.
#9
Posted 30 October 2015 - 02:14 AM
The reviews have put my expectations in check, to be honest. There seems to be a lot more people expressing their disappointment than not. I really need to the see the movie myself ASAP.
#10
Posted 31 October 2015 - 03:21 AM
I agree that my expectations have been lowered quite a bit, which may be a good thing. The expectations for Skyfall were (pardon the pun, "sky high"). Although it is my all-time second favorite film, the casino scene seemed a little odd to me (like Bond was scared out of his wits, and he showed it); this being in stark contrast to his demeanor in CR and QOS.
I have my tickets reserved for IMAX, and on Nov. 6 we shall see! I avoid spoilers, but from little I've seen, I'm actually thinking it will be better than Skyfall, but not as good as CR. Just a gut feeling.
#11
Posted 01 November 2015 - 10:43 AM
Unusually, for me, I think the reviews have affected me in the following way: as a reader of the books, and as someone who has studied writing, I have some disappointments with the film. However, those writing very positive reviews (I assume) do not have such viewpoints. They're not bothered by the things I'm bothered by. In that sense, they're helping me view the film more favourably, as I can see it from their POV and enjoy it more, once I've gotten over my own disappointment. However, I don't believe this will change my viewpoint enough that my opinion will change, I'm just glad I'm able to view it from the POV of the general audience rather than a writing-obsessed Bond fan.
#12
Posted 03 November 2015 - 12:59 PM
In the event - and I've seen SPECTRE twice so far - none of the reviews really matched my opinion of the film. Without giving anything away about plot, tonally SPECTRE is a mix of classic and contemporary Bond. Some reviewers claimed it was a return to the 1970s style - it isn't, not imho, though there are one or two nods, but not many.
I think the reviews depend on the reviewer - some are predisposed to give the film - any film - a chance, whereas others are, to use a planning law term "pre-determined" - their minds are made up before the first reel has even started.
None of the Craig Bond films have disappointed me to date, and that includes SPECTRE, although there are elements in all four which from this fan's viewpoint could have been done better or differently. In the end though, as 007 says himself in the new movie; "It's all a matter of perspective."
#13
Posted 03 November 2015 - 06:36 PM
#14
Posted 03 November 2015 - 06:51 PM
*breaks cover to pop back in briefly* Just want to say...To hell with the critics and their rotten, Rotten Tomatoes reviews...I'm NOT bothering with them at all and will go into SPECTRE with nothing on my conscience.. I have read some reviews from those who really count...fellow CBNers!! Right..I'll see you all soon with my comprehensive review..*ducks back out undercover again*
#15
Posted 03 November 2015 - 07:31 PM
No. there are thing's that get continually bashed that i still like . Funny i remember when quantum came out there were people here claiming it was one of the best Bond movies. i thought it was in the bottom 20%, though i didn't hate it. Now it's fashionable to bash it. I still feel the same way about it. I don't think it's great, but i like it.
#16
Posted 03 November 2015 - 07:51 PM
did not read any reviews before seeing it but the movie was inescapable these last weeks. Now I am not sure if those who saw it and reviewed it did see the same movie I saw. I was again very underwhelmed.
#17
Posted 04 November 2015 - 01:20 PM
I never give a moment of thought to what reviewers think of a film. Everybody forms their own opinion of a film. It either moves you or it doesn't.
#18
Posted 05 November 2015 - 07:31 AM
Watched a few Non-Spoiler reviews, and my expectations, as of right now, are more reasonable than they might have been a few weeks ago. Can't wait to see it and judge for myself of course. Remaining very optimistic.
#19
Posted 05 November 2015 - 03:32 PM
I would like to say that they will not influence me but I think they have shaped my expectations. I have not read any of the reviews end to end as they almost always reveal something. But I have seen how many stars they have given and my expectations have been lowered. I think Skyfall ranks among the top 2 or 3 Bond films ever and I saw the possibility of bringing back S.P.E.C.T.R.E as an opportunity to really raise the bar by getting into one of the essential stories in the world of Bond and modernizing it. But the impression I have from the reviews is that its good but not nearly as good/great as Casino Royale or Skyfall. So it's certainly shaped what I am expecting to see tomorrow night.
#20
Posted 12 November 2015 - 01:23 AM
The problem with reviewing a Bond film is that there are 3 measures that need to be considered:
1) Does the film stand on its own?
2) How does it compare to the previous film?
3) How does it compare to all the previous films?
In the case of SPECTRE, I think that most reviewers, knowing that filmgoers have short memories, will rely most heavily on #2. Being as how Skyfall was the most recent and the biggest cash earner of the series, most impressions will be made based on how it compares to that film. It is inevitable that people who loved SF may be disappointed ( and vice versa of course). We around here are more likely to judge SP in comparison to all 23 prior films. Of course, #1 must be considered - if the film does not stand on its own then it must be considered a failure regardless of how it compares to others in the series.
Me? I try to avoid reviews altogether before I go in to a film. I do not want other people's opinions to influence mine, subconsciously or not.
#21
Posted 20 November 2015 - 08:25 AM
I've seen the film twice. In my opinion the reviewers got it wrong, or were overly harsh in their assessment. I find the Tomatometer of 63 per cent, two per cent lower than Quantum of Solace, simply ridiculous. The reviews were making me nervous before my screening, but afterwards they really do mean absolutely nothing.
#22
Posted 20 November 2015 - 12:05 PM
#23
Posted 20 November 2015 - 12:10 PM
That's the problem having 23 other similar works to compare it to and 53 years of success - you're always going to find it hard NOT to compare and make comparisons which is a double-edged sword. I think it stands strong on it's own and delivers what Craig and co set out to do perfectly.
Sure it's got flaws, but all our Bond films have.
#24
Posted 21 November 2015 - 12:52 PM
I saw it without reading any reviews. Didn't think it was the best, but enjoyed it very much. The only review I liked was Darren Franich's wild Entertainment Weekly article, and that made me rethink the whole film. Among CBNer's, Catching Bullets had my favorite review.
So yes, reviews have affected my opinion, but in a positive way. As for all the negative ones, we predicted that would happen before Sam Mendes returned to direct it.
Still not a fan of the half-brother angle. I'm fine with everything else, even if not overly excited by it. Who knows, it may turn out to be the weak 'middle entry' of a trilogy!