Films that disappointed upon first viewing but became a favorite?

[zorbonaut]

Originally Posted by UltraMario9

The Big Lebowski

Jackie Brown

Lady in the Water

Valhalla Rising

Alien 3

Iron Man 3 (Still not a fan of the ending)

Captain America: The First Avenger

Avengers Assemble & Age Of Ultron

Die Hard 2

A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge

Superman Returns

I'm glad to see that I was not the only one to not love The Big Lebowski the first go around. I still am shocked that I disliked it so much on initial watch and now consider is one of the best films of all time.

[xbs2034]

Mostly films I first saw as a kid like The Lion King and Casablanca which I thought were boring then, but now see as great.

As far as something first seen from say high school age on, the only one I can think of is Blade Runner (thought it was still pretty good, but a bit disappointed given its reputation and now feel is a masterpiece)

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by zorbonaut

I'm glad to see that I was not the only one to not love The Big Lebowski the first go around. I still am shocked that I disliked it so much on initial watch and now consider is one of the best films of all time.

I was a tad underwhelmed by the Big Lebowski too. My question for those who didn't like it or were disappointed on first viewing, did you watch it on the big screen when it first came out? I did, and I think my disappointment stemmed from the fact it seemed so scattershot and silly compared to the more polished and sophisticated Fargo, even though it was totally in line with several previous Coen films. A lot of my enjoyment of Lebowski now comes from the fact it's just so rewatchable with a lot of memorable scenes and lines.

As for the OP, the one that sticks out in my mind is the Wild Bunch. My dad recommended it and I didn't like it when I first saw it as a teenager. I saw it years later when I had more of an appreciation for westerns and I really enjoyed it, it's a true classic.

[NP13]

I was disappointed by Seven Psychopaths first time I saw it. It was OK, but I think I was expecting something more like In Bruges, but then I watched it again about a year later, and absolutely loved it. Possibly that's because I'd been studying some of McDonagh's plays at college, so I paid more attention to the dialogue - whatever it was, the film is now one of my favourites of 2012.

[zorbonaut]

Originally Posted by baheidstu

I was a tad underwhelmed by the Big Lebowski too. My question for those who didn't like it or were disappointed on first viewing, did you watch it on the big screen when it first came out? I did, and I think my disappointment stemmed from the fact it seemed so scattershot and silly compared to the more polished and sophisticated Fargo, even though it was totally in line with several previous Coen films. A lot of my enjoyment of Lebowski now comes from the fact it's just so rewatchable with a lot of memorable scenes and lines.

As for the OP, the one that sticks out in my mind is the Wild Bunch. My dad recommended it and I didn't like it when I first saw it as a teenager. I saw it years later when I had more of an appreciation for westerns and I really enjoyed it, it's a true classic.

To answer your question, I saw it on the big screen the first go around. Not sure what impact that had but I do remember having high expectations for the film and walking away disappointed. I don't think I even laughed once. In the many subsequent viewings I find myself laughing often. Not sure why I didn't get the humor the first time. It's not like I hadn't seen plenty of Coen Bros. films.

[vchjmc]

What films did you initially dislike or were disappointed by, but upon subsequent viewings began to love.

[Todd Tomorrow]

28 Weeks Later. First time round I thought it was inferior to 28 Days Later, now I think it's far superior.

I never came to love Alien 3, but I went from outright hatred to some sort of grudging respect for its nihilistic vision. Now I'd file it under "interesting failure" rather than "travesty" as I did initially.

Licence to Kill, one of my least favourite Bond films at the time, now one of the best. Also Moonraker, which I thought was a silly and overblown retreat of The Spy Who Loved Me, now I think it's one of the most entertaining films in the series.

First time I saw 2001 it was on a small TV when I was 12 and I found it quite boring. Next time I saw it in 70mm on a massive screen and it blew my mind, now it's one of my top ten favourite films. It also took me a second viewing to come round to Barry Lyndon, now my second favourite Kubrick.

[P-Rock]

After Pulp Fiction I thought Jackie Brown was rather tame. Years later it's my opinion it's Tarantino's most adult movie with the focus being on conversations instead of ultra violence.

[lolwut]

The Big Lebowski
Moulin Rouge!
There Will Be Blood

[Jaymole]

High expectations hurt my viewing the first time I saw it. I now consider it to be a flawed masterpiece.





My friend's favorite film that he constantly raved about. The first time I saw it I was disappointed, due to my high expectations and also by the fact that the reveal was done midway through the film. Over time is has now become my favorite Hitchcock and one of my top 5 favorite films.





It took me a second time to understand it all and reverse my criticism that leaving out information was a cheat to the viewer.

.

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by zorbonaut

I'm glad to see that I was not the only one to not love The Big Lebowski the first go around. I still am shocked that I disliked it so much on initial watch and now consider is one of the best films of all time.

I've never loved or hated Lebowski, it's a pleasant enough little comedy but it's not a major work by the Coens, so I suppose I never held it to those lofty standards. It never disappointed me, per se, so I can't really include it here, but I do find it ever so slightly overrated.

[HanaBi]

THIN RED LINE when it opened in theaters. At that point the only Malick I'd seen was Badlands, and I was expecting something more linear and less pensive. I remember thinking the movie was about to be over a few different times, then George Clooney showed up for 1 scene, and I was like "What's up with this movie?"

But some parts were incredibly effective for me, especially the taking of the hill and the raid on the village. Now it's one of my favorites on many levels, and I especially love the score.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by zorbonaut

To answer your question, I saw it on the big screen the first go around. Not sure what impact that had but I do remember having high expectations for the film and walking away disappointed. I don't think I even laughed once. In the many subsequent viewings I find myself laughing often. Not sure why I didn't get the humor the first time. It's not like I hadn't seen plenty of Coen Bros. films.

Funny, that's pretty much the same response I've had to it.

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

28 Weeks Later. First time round I thought it was inferior to 28 Days Later, now I think it's far superior.

I never came to love Alien 3, but I went from outright hatred to some sort of grudging respect for its nihilistic vision. Now I'd file it under "interesting failure" rather than "travesty" as I did initially.

Licence to Kill, one of my least favourite Bond films at the time, now one of the best. Also Moonraker, which I thought was a silly and overblown retreat of The Spy Who Loved Me, now I think it's one of the most entertaining films in the series.

First time I saw 2001 it was on a small TV when I was 12 and I found it quite boring. Next time I saw it in 70mm on a massive screen and it blew my mind, now it's one of my top ten favourite films. It also took me a second viewing to come round to Barry Lyndon, now my second favourite Kubrick.

I'd always considered Moonraker to be my least favourite Bond film (at least until the Brosnan films came along, but that's another story), yet the last few times I've watched it while having Bond marathons, I've found myself really enjoying it. Maybe because my expectations have always been low. The funny thing is, the last few times I've watched The Spy Who Loved Me, I haven't been able to get into it and found the finale on the tanker to be a bit tedious.

[donzo29]

It took me about three tries to get through this without falling asleep. Now I really like it a lot.


I was disappointed on first viewing of this but now really enjoy it.

[tiger_qc]

Groundhog Day, I was a rebel kid when I first saw this and didn't liked it. (probably because my parent dragged me in the theater that day)

Now I think it's Bill Murray's best movie and I love it, I watch it at least once a year, those are very rare in my near thousand titles collection

[Dorklord]

My first time viewing the (theatrical version) I was a bit disappointed and underwhelmed. I didn't hate it... but after picking up the Directors Cut and watching it I truly grew to love and appreciate this flick... one of my favorite movies now...

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Packerfan75

I wouldn't say I love TFA now or call it a favorite but its gotten better on subsequent viewings. I had to lower my expectations and accept it as not the sequel I wanted but the sequel I got. I was crushed when I saw it and still have some of the same issues I had with it the first time but I can watch it now and enjoy it on a level. I wouldn't do this for anything but Star Wars.

I wouldn't say I hated it on the first viewing and I wouldn't say that I love it now.

But I really disliked it in the theater.

...and really liked it a lot after the second viewing at home.

[Blu-Curry]

The Departed - I was too young to appreciate it when it first came out.

And I wouldn't say this became a "favourite", but I enjoyed Avengers 2 more on my second viewing since I knew what I was gonna get lol.

[Hellhound]

Like many others in this thread, The Big Lebowski is one I did a turnaround on. I'd say it's definitely one of those films that needs to be seen a least a couple of times to really take in.

The only other one that comes to mind is Anchorman. I really wasn't a big fan of Will Ferrell during his SNL days but eventually I started to get his brand of humor.

[BluRayTim]

Originally Posted by Hellhound

Like many others in this thread, The Big Lebowski is one I did a turnaround on. I'd say it's definitely one of those films that needs to be seen a least a couple of times to really take in.

The only other one that comes to mind is Anchorman. I really wasn't a big fan of Will Ferrell during his SNL days but eventually I started to get his brand of humor.

I completely agree on Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy. I watched it several times in 10 years before the sequel came out.

I may be in 1 of the smallest minorities here, but I actually prefer the 2nd Anchorman to the 1st, even with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (both of whom I can't stand) taking the place of Ben Stiller and Luke Wilson. Luke is good but Ben is 1 of the best of the SNL alumni, IMO.

Also, IMO, George Carlin, Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider and Jerry Stiller are the only SNL alumni better than Ben Stiller.