Movie you liked but most people hated...

[Tyrant]

Who doesn't like Watchmen? It got good enough ratings, right? I haven't seen it myself yet, so I can't say for sure, but I don't know many people who didn't like that movie.

I was kind of wondering about that myself. The critics seemed to like it. Fan appeal was mixed though. Judging by what I have come across online (which is in no way all inclusive, so don't take my comments as lumping everyone together) most people who disliked seem to fall into two groups. The first group feel that even with the slavish devotion to the source, it wasn't close enough. I have no idea what they were expecting, but I thought it was well within "close enough" range. The other group are people who either don't get it, or just don't like that type of movie (and a smaller group within this group think all comic book movies should be silly like the old Batman TV show). Like I said, not everyone who disliked it had those reasons, but a lot of the arguments I come across online (and I should emphasize the online part, no one I know IRL disliked the movie and that includes non comic book fans) boil down to one of those.

[5150 Lego]

I was kind of wondering about that myself. The critics seemed to like it. Fan appeal was mixed though. Judging by what I have come across online (which is in no way all inclusive, so don't take my comments as lumping everyone together) most people who disliked seem to fall into two groups. The first group feel that even with the slavish devotion to the source, it wasn't close enough. I have no idea what they were expecting, but I thought it was well within "close enough" range. The other group are people who either don't get it, or just don't like that type of movie (and a smaller group within this group think all comic book movies should be silly like the old Batman TV show). Like I said, not everyone who disliked it had those reasons, but a lot of the arguments I come across online (and I should emphasize the online part, no one I know IRL disliked the movie and that includes non comic book fans) boil down to one of those.

I guess i fall into the latter catogorey. Most of my friends and family that saw it, didn't care for it at all. Most said it was to hard to follow, didn't understand what was going on, and those that did seem to get it didn't care for the story. My dad tried to get me to go, but from watching the previews it didn't look like anything i'd enjoy. My dad went anyways and confirmed this. Thats not to say that its a bad movie, just not my cup of tea.

Movies based on comic book/TV series and/or toys are probably the most difficult to do. Mainly cause your always going to piss off someone. Whether it be the die hard crowd that have followed every incarnation since the series birth, or the general audience that if said director was more concerned about making it true to its origins, could loose said audience (who will bring in the most revenue) and risk loosing money. While i know many die hards (and this goes for anything such as Watchmen, Transformers, Batman or anything that has origins and a back story) would be just fine with this, that, unfortunately is not (for the most part at least) is how the world works in terms of movies on the big screen. Companies fronting the production cost for the most part don't care about "being true" as much as for the potential for a sequel. That's why we have 30 robots in Transformers and only 7 or so have decent character developments. Most people would rather see shit blow up than listen to the construct icons hatch out a plan to resurrect Megs.

My hat goes off to any director who attempts to make comic book, or series based movies. There either praised for bring new life with a fresh adaption of a certain psychotic clown or get death threats with claims that the director has raped his childhood cause it was his decisions to add Flames to his childhood robotic hero. I really feel that these directors/producers really do try and find a happy medium, but for many that just isn't enough.

[Commander Assassin]

Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Everyone I know hated it because the fridge scene was unrealistic, the monkey scene was unrealistic, and the fact that it had aliens in it. I have to say that I don't believe any of the other IJ movies weren't more unrealistic. I thought the story was great and liked the movie as a whole more than temple of doom and raiders.

Another movie that I really like is:

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

I don't think that this movie necessarily got bad reviews, it's just that when I ask anyone if they liked it, they reply "Sky who?".

Edited August 25, 2009 by Clone Commander Assassin

[darkrebellion]

Who doesn't like Watchmen? It got good enough ratings, right? I haven't seen it myself yet, so I can't say for sure, but I don't know many people who didn't like that movie.

I personally hated JPIII. It didn't have the same vibe of excitement that the first two did, the acting was bad, and the same plot theme was getting old at that point (go back to an island with dinosaurs and escape). Then again, this topic is for movies that you liked, so I'll shut up now.

Well I don´t mean that EVERYONE hated Watchmen but most people I KNOW in person don´t really got it at all. I think just 3 persons (Including me of course) that I know actually "understand" the whole movie. Most of them got bored half the way or simply don´t got it at all. So that why I put it in my list .

And The Lost World isn´t JP3 , it is the second one. I also don´t like JP3 at all. The whole movie really lose a lot of the vibe that make the first 2 successful and the dinosaur effect just got silly in my opinion. The plot was quiet boring and the acting was just passable.

[Forresto]

I would say David Lynche's Dune. It now has a decent cult following, but in the day it was strongly criticized by most critics. So does another film I really love. Mars Attacks I thought was really good but a lot like Dune with bad reviews and a good cult following. I would also say The Clone Wars film for the clones and those two bada--- battles.

[JimBee]

I was kind of wondering about that myself. The critics seemed to like it. Fan appeal was mixed though. Judging by what I have come across online (which is in no way all inclusive, so don't take my comments as lumping everyone together) most people who disliked seem to fall into two groups. The first group feel that even with the slavish devotion to the source, it wasn't close enough. I have no idea what they were expecting, but I thought it was well within "close enough" range. The other group are people who either don't get it, or just don't like that type of movie (and a smaller group within this group think all comic book movies should be silly like the old Batman TV show). Like I said, not everyone who disliked it had those reasons, but a lot of the arguments I come across online (and I should emphasize the online part, no one I know IRL disliked the movie and that includes non comic book fans) boil down to one of those.

That's interesting. I've never heard of anyone thinking that comic book movies should be silly (I hope The Spirit didn't start this rep ), but the rest of what you said makes perfect sense. To go along with what you and darkrebellion said, the sad thing about some movies is that they're too complicated for a lot of people. I can usually comprehend an entire movie from one view, but in some movie, I can see where they would be really confusing. Again, I haven't actually seen Watchmen, so I can't say much about it.

Most people would rather see shit blow up than listen to the construct icons hatch out a plan to resurrect Megs.

That's probably one of the best approaches to movies and movie-watching that I've heard. The action in a movie is great (I usually don't stray far from action movies), but the story and plot are what really make a movie good or bad for me.

And The Lost World isn´t JP3 , it is the second one. I also don´t like JP3 at all. The whole movie really lose a lot of the vibe that make the first 2 successful and the dinosaur effect just got silly in my opinion. The plot was quiet boring and the acting was just passable.

Really? I must have got in my head somehow that TLW was the third. But if you're talking about the second one, then I fully agree with you. I loved the second one almost as much as I did the first, and the San Fransisco part really kept me on the edge of my seat (well, not so literally this time, but it was pretty great). But again, I don't remember anyone not liking this movie.

[Batbrick]

With Watchmen, I fall under the surprisingly large third category that has somehow slipped past Tyrant's radar; being TOO close to the comic. I feel that a movie based on a book, especially one as large and awesomely complex as Watchmen, should not just cut scenes nor straight up adapt it as Watchmen did, but instead differ from the book in some ways, have a reason for it to be adapted other than bringing it to a large audience.

Though they should have kept the squid, it was awesomely comic booky, I felt the change was made in order to appear uber-serious, when really some silly aspects should be present.

I'm with you too Jim Butcher, the story and how it is executed is the main deal for me.

To the Brickmobile!

[yellost]

With Watchmen, I fall under the surprisingly large third category that has somehow slipped past Tyrant's radar; being TOO close to the comic. I feel that a movie based on a book, especially one as large and awesomely complex as Watchmen, should not just cut scenes nor straight up adapt it as Watchmen did, but instead differ from the book in some ways, have a reason for it to be adapted other than bringing it to a large audience.

Though they should have kept the squid, it was awesomely comic booky, I felt the change was made in order to appear uber-serious, when really some silly aspects should be present.

I'm with you too Jim Butcher, the story and how it is executed is the main deal for me.

To the Brickmobile!

I think I may fall in that category as well. The thing is, the original book really put the novel in graphic novel, with lots and lots of exposition and insight from the characters, which is something that works great on that medium but gets quite quickly tedious in a film... I have to admit, having read the comic first, my opinion is of course biaised (although, I didn't find that book as fantastic and revolutionary as everyone says it is) but I did find the film quite boring almost halfway through. Ok, the action shots were very well done, coming straight up from the pages, but since they stuck so much to the original material, they didn't come that often to pick up the interest of the watcher... I think taht one of the main thing for an adaptation to really work, is to take into account the fact that you really don't have the same state of mind when you read a book, a comic or when you go to see a film.

And I did miss the squid too

As for a "bad" film that I love, it's the first Hulk by Ang Lee. So far, I still think it's the best Marvel film they've made. It had great characters, great acting and some fantastic shots (I love that chase sequence in the rocky canyon) and I love the way it was cut, with lots of different angles put together to make it look like an animated comic page and such. I found it revolutionary at the time... Granted, it was a bit slow and the "final boss" comes a bit out of nowhere but still...

[The Nightwing Reborn]

KotCS was a good movie in my opinion. Not as good as Raiders or Last Crusade, but definitely rivaling ToD.

Star Wars the Clone Wars was okay as well, my favorite animated movie. Not sure why it was up on the big screen, would fit as a made for TV movie. I don't care for that Dave Filoni, though (or, rather, his style. Nice fedora... ).

Not sure if the critics liked this or not, but I'm sure the fanboys hated this. The recent X-Men Origins: Wolverine is my favorite movie this year, so far. It doesn't really follow the comics (not that I was really interested in Wolverine before X1), but neither did the first three and many people loved those. Can't wait for Deadpool, X-MO:W Two, Gambit possibly, and any other future X-Movies.

[Oky]

I watched The Invention of Lying recently. It has rather bad reviews because it has some very atheist jokes in it and basically makes Christianity look like a big fat lie. As I'm atheist and completely agree with the views showcased in the movie, I was able to thoroughly enjoy it.

Also, I hear that some people didn't think that Death Race was very good. I, however, loved it. It had guns, it had my favorite car (mustang), and the driver called himself Frankenstein, and I like the story of Frankenstein. I also think the action was great and it was a nice adaption of combat racing videogames.

[Wout]

Ten years ago the Spice Girls were first very hot, and after some years people said they sucked and their music too.

But I liked their music always for being very melodious instead of many House and trance music which was also populair.

They made also a movie (with Meatloaf as their Driver) and the film was not that very good, but they knew it also and it was just fun for them.

I liked this movie also. It was no Oscar or Golden Bear or whatever winner, but it was a funny movie.

[Tyrant]

With Watchmen, I fall under the surprisingly large third category that has somehow slipped past Tyrant's radar; being TOO close to the comic. I feel that a movie based on a book, especially one as large and awesomely complex as Watchmen, should not just cut scenes nor straight up adapt it as Watchmen did, but instead differ from the book in some ways, have a reason for it to be adapted other than bringing it to a large audience.

I didn't list that possibility because this is honestly the only project I have ever heard that complaint and I simply do not understand it. It makes no sense. With virtually any other adaptation, the number one complaint is always "They changed X, Y, Z". So, here we have something was pretty close and people make the opposite complaint. You can't please some people, apparently. It's nothing personal, but I think the complaint of it being too close comes off as someone trying to find fault with an adaptation and they don't have their trusty "it wasn't close to the source material" so they grasp at the opposite. If it had been different, the fury over the changes would have been pretty noticeable. Just look at how you wish the squid was in there, while saying it was too close to the source.

Though they should have kept the squid, it was awesomely comic booky, I felt the change was made in order to appear uber-serious, when really some silly aspects should be present.

The squid wasn't there because it would make an already long movie that much longer. You're looking at at least 30 minutes more to the movie, given the attention they paid to detail, to include the squid subplot. It wasn't to make it uber serious, which the original is for the record, it was because they were adapting to a different medium. Again, you say it was too close and one of your complaints is about something that was changed. Baffling.

I watched The Invention of Lying recently. It has rather bad reviews because it has some very atheist jokes in it and basically makes Christianity look like a big fat lie. As I'm atheist and completely agree with the views showcased in the movie, I was able to thoroughly enjoy it.

The only review I read was in USAToday and they said it was pretty good. I haven't watched it myself, but it looks funny.

Also, I hear that some people didn't think that Death Race was very good. I, however, loved it. It had guns, it had my favorite car (mustang), and the driver called himself Frankenstein, and I like the story of Frankenstein. I also think the action was great and it was a nice adaption of combat racing videogames.

Have you ever seen the original? The Death Race 2000? The plot is a little different (cross country race where you score points for running people over) and it had David Carradine as Frankenstein along with Stallone as one of the other drivers (Machine Gun Joe, I believe). Carradine did the voice of Frankenstein in the opening part of the new Death Race as a shout out to the original.

[Big Cam]

Kung Pow, it's one of my favorites and all I ever heard was that the movie was dumb and immature.

Well I thought it was hilarious, and you can call me Betty.

[Emperor Claudius Rome]

Kung Pow, it's one of my favorites and all I ever heard was that the movie was dumb and immature.

Well I thought it was hilarious, and you can call me Betty.

I loved that one to. I hope we get the sequel soon.

Edited October 7, 2009 by Emperor Claudius Rome

[Big Cam]

I loved that one two. I hope we get the sequel soon.

I used to think like that but I wouldn't hold your breath, there were talks of a sewual after the movie was comlete, but it never happened.

I'd watch it but I think that ship has sailed, sadly.

[L-space]

Films I like but nobody in my surroundings even knew:

Dune, both the original and the miniseries. And I have the books as well; all of them!

The Transgalactic Hitchhickers Guide to the Galaxy, love the books, got the radioplay and saw it in a theatre in Canada and returned to my colleagues (businesstrip) all saying who? what?

The Rocketeer; same style, for me that is, as Skycaptain and the World of Tomorrow which is another

And my all time favorite The Fifth Element; funny, scifi, great look to it (Leeloo ) and a rollercoaster experience in the cruise-ship.

[allanp]

I really like the American 1998 "Godzilla". Sure the middle part was boring with the unessesary baby zillas storyline and he was not as tough as he should have been but for what it is, it is a fun movie. At least it didn't look hilariously rediculous like the Japanese crap fests!

I also liked Ang Lee's "Hulk" from 2003 far more then the more recent version. You really got that comic book sence of power and size and the action was great. He had fights with the military, 3 massive dogs and a supervillain as a bonus at the end. He jumped across deserts, he hurled a tank across a desert and the carachters were fully developed. What more could you really expect from a hulk movie?

[Batbrick]

I didn't list that possibility because this is honestly the only project I have ever heard that complaint and I simply do not understand it. It makes no sense. With virtually any other adaptation, the number one complaint is always "They changed X, Y, Z". So, here we have something was pretty close and people make the opposite complaint. You can't please some people, apparently. It's nothing personal, but I think the complaint of it being too close comes off as someone trying to find fault with an adaptation and they don't have their trusty "it wasn't close to the source material" so they grasp at the opposite. If it had been different, the fury over the changes would have been pretty noticeable. Just look at how you wish the squid was in there, while saying it was too close to the source.

Actually...no. It is a perfectly valid opinion to say it was too much like comic. For one the source material is not just long, but links everything in such an intricate way that if you take something out (like the street vendor) you miss out a lot else. For another, why would I want a perfect adaptation of a comic, when someone could put an original spin on it? Yes, you would get a lot of complaints, but done right like the Shawshank Redemption, Howl's Moving Castle or for an extreme example; Starship Troopers and you can get a different product that is still great. In my opinion Watchmen can't really be adapted to film unless in two parts, and even then a bit is lost since the audience won't exactly take to reading a pirate comic for a part of the duration. I'm not trying to look for faults. The film has gotten better to me yes, some parts of it a great, and I'd say worth buying, but ultimately I just do believe there were flaws in it.

The squid wasn't there because it would make an already long movie that much longer. You're looking at at least 30 minutes more to the movie, given the attention they paid to detail, to include the squid subplot. It wasn't to make it uber serious, which the original is for the record, it was because they were adapting to a different medium. Again, you say it was too close and one of your complaints is about something that was changed. Baffling.

The squid being included is just my own opinion, I admit it would probably not work for a timeslot, but Alan Moore himself said Watchmen was an example of what comics can do as opposed to other mediums. And no, this does not contradict my opinion, it merely means that the squid was one of my favourite parts that I would've liked kept, no big deal if it wasn't, just a disappointment. I didn't voice myself before, but the squid is my personal want, as opposed to my objective opinion which realises it couldn't be there.

I watched The Invention of Lying recently. It has rather bad reviews because it has some very atheist jokes in it and basically makes Christianity look like a big fat lie. As I'm atheist and completely agree with the views showcased in the movie, I was able to thoroughly enjoy it.

Heck, I'm a Christian but I don't think a movie making fun of it should get bad reviews just for that, I'm interested in seeing it. Dogma is hilarious and that stirred up a fuss too.

Batbrick Away!

[Eilif]

The Big Kahuna. It wasn't universally panned by every critics, but so few people saw it or even remember it that it might as well have been. Amazing movie (adapted from a play) about the intersection of faith, humanity and business. 3 guys in a room: Danny DeVito, Kevin Spacy, Peter Facinelli. Goes from funny to in-your-face drama. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Titus Julia Taymore's adaption of "Titus Andronicus" was another great that didn't so much disappear, but never really appeard. Shakespeares words with bizaire visuals that mix the ancient, modern and 1940's. Blood, sex, romans, deciet, murder and canibalism. What more can you want? Great acting also, not the least of which comes from Anthony Hopkins.

These are the only immidiately recalled favorites of mine that were truely hated or completely kicked asside. However I have a heck of a time getting anyone to sit through Lawrence of Arabia with me, and That Thing You Do and Gattaca are drastically under-appreciated.

[Tyrant]

Actually...no. It is a perfectly valid opinion to say it was too much like comic. For one the source material is not just long, but links everything in such an intricate way that if you take something out (like the street vendor) you miss out a lot else. For another, why would I want a perfect adaptation of a comic, when someone could put an original spin on it? Yes, you would get a lot of complaints, but done right like the Shawshank Redemption, Howl's Moving Castle or for an extreme example; Starship Troopers and you can get a different product that is still great. In my opinion Watchmen can't really be adapted to film unless in two parts, and even then a bit is lost since the audience won't exactly take to reading a pirate comic for a part of the duration. I'm not trying to look for faults.

I guess we simply differ here. I believe if you're going to adapt something, you should make it like the source material (obviously concessions have to be made due to differences in media). Otherwise, what's the point? If you want to make a story "like" the source, then do that and call it something else (because it will be something else). Would Watchmen have been better had it been longer (or miltiple parts), yes it would have been. I agree with that. However, I think we were lucky to get what we got. I would rather have slavish devotion to the material than crud like Superman Returns that gutted the heart of an iconic character and saddled him with a ridiculous plot. I don't feel removing things like the vendor greatly impact the movie. I felt his character (and most of the other "background" characters for that matter) was to put a face on the finale so you felt connected to the people directly affected by it. We had the shrink, at least. To add the others (which may happen on the ultimate DVD since it includes Tales of the Black Freighter spliced in apparently) would be nice, but it doesn't gut the story if they aren't there.

The film has gotten better to me yes, some parts of it a great, and I'd say worth buying, but ultimately I just do believe there were flaws in it.

I agree it had flaws. It isn't perfect. I do think it's aout 90-95% there though. And for the record, I would have also loved to have seen the squid.