Petition to shut down Rotten Tomatoes because of DC movie scores

[imsounoriginal]

So apparently there's a Change.org petition happening to shut down Rotten Tomatoes because of the bad scores that recent DC Comics movies have been getting on the site.

Man of Steel -- 55%
BvS: Dawn of Justice -- 27%
Suicide Squad -- not looking good so far

Here's a story about the petition from Collider. Frankly I think this is asinine, it's not like Rotten Tomatoes is responsible for the content of the reviews that it aggregates. And besides, people put WAY too much weight on what other people say about a movie instead of just making up their own mind. (Not that reviews don't have their value, though.)

But I do think there's a valid discussion to be had as to why these DC movies seem to be so polarizing, both among longtime comics fans and casual audiences. Thoughts? Discuss!

[levcore]

The only time I've ever cared about reviews was when Mad Max Fury Road (my most anticipated movie ever) got superb reviews across the board. I was telling everyone I knew about it's RT score.

Other than that I always check RT out of interest but never let its rating affect whether or not I see a movie. I mean look in my sig for my favourite movie of this year, not exactly an RT favourite.

regarding DC those I just think the style they have gone for is less mainstream and I think Snyder and Ayer (especially the former) are given blockbuster reigns but their style is not necessarily suited to high grosses. This isn't slating their film making abilities as I love BvS UC but Snyder IS a divisive film maker, that is a fact.

[Dalekbuster523Bluray]

How pathetic.

Why aren't critics allowed an opinion anymore? Do people really want a society where everybody agrees a film is good and movies are never given poor scores?

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by Dalekbuster523Bluray

How pathetic.

Why aren't critics allowed an opinion anymore? Do people really want a society where everybody agrees a film is good and movies are never given poor scores?

Participation trophy?

[dallywhitty]

I'm happy with how the DCEU has turned out so far, but yeah, this is totally stupid.

[ArmyOfDarknessAW]

This is silly.

With that said I dislike RT. I don't mind the score part, but I don't like the boiling everything down into fresh or rotten. Seems too simplistic to me. A 1% swing can make a movie go from fresh to rotten and completely change peoples views.

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

So apparently there's a Change.org petition happening to shut down Rotten Tomatoes because of the bad scores that recent DC Comics movies have been getting on the site.

Man of Steel -- 55%
BvS: Dawn of Justice -- 27%
Suicide Squad -- not looking good so far

Here's a story about the petition from Collider. Frankly I think this is asinine, it's not like Rotten Tomatoes is responsible for the content of the reviews that it aggregates. And besides, people put WAY too much weight on what other people say about a movie instead of just making up their own mind. (Not that reviews don't have their value, though.)

But I do think there's a valid discussion to be had as to why these DC movies seem to be so polarizing, both among longtime comics fans and casual audiences. Thoughts? Discuss!

Oh oh! The Fanboyz are in a tizzy!

[mpstjohn]

Originally Posted by Dalekbuster523Bluray

How pathetic.

Why aren't critics allowed an opinion anymore? Do people really want a society where everybody agrees a film is good and movies are never given poor scores?

I don't have an issue with critics having an opinion. Its placing critics opinions ahead of fans or pretending a fan's opinion doesn't matter because of critics. Beside the facts that we haven't had any fans reactions yet on RT, (and all the reactions I've read from people that went to early screenings has been positive) its allowing both sides to have a say. This is what critics say and this is what ordinary people say.

If I tell somebody I'm apprehensive about the new Ghostbusters movie they can tell me it had a 98% on RT so I'm just plain wrong if I don't like it, conversely if a movie has a bad critic rating they'll use a rating on RT to support their point and ask "why am I lying to myself when I know I hated it". Yes, critics are allowed an opinion, I think its letting critics think for us that has led to the petition, the people who take a look at a website for a sec and just decide "yeah, I'm never gonna see that movie now". Its their prerogative but its also kind of lazy when they might be completely ignoring the Fan Rating.

Does RT need to be taken down? I don't think so but I think more people thinking for themselves wouldn't hurt either. Right now Sausage Party is sitting at 100%, that's the same score as Citizen Kane and A Raisin in the Sun. If you weren't paying attention to just how many ratings were in for that movie you could argue its not just the greatest comedy but one of the greatest movies of all time and shun anyone who says otherwise. Or you could go see it and form your own opinion. As a fan of BvS I enjoyed the movie but also understand not everyone else did, if you didn't you're entitled to your opinion as am I but its frustrating to hear someone say not only does my opinion not matter on the film but I'm clearly lying to myself because of a number on a website.

While I don't think the petition is necessary, I understand the frustration that led to its inception.

[Thomas Guycott]

"Reviews are only valid when they conform to my personal opinion."

[Abby is Q]

Poor scores for movies that aren't so good doesn't bother me.

However, high (or near perfect) scores for movies that are average is kind of annoying. The system is flawed in that if every major critic gives a movie a 3/4 it is counted as a positive review and inflates the RT score. For example, Finding Dory sits at 94% with an average rating of 7.7/10. Kind of misleading.

And when you include bought positive reviews and overreaction by fans and even the most established critics, it's hard as a casual movie-goer to know what movies are even good anymore and worth the $10 trip to the theater.

God I miss Roger Ebert.

[tob]

This is getting out of hand today.

[xbs2034]

Originally Posted by Thomas Guycott

"Reviews are only valid when they conform to my personal opinion."

It's actually worse than that, since almost everyone complaining in this case has yet to see the movie and thus don't yet have a valid personal opinion about it.

If you're going to attack a critic's opinion in a review, at least have seen the movie first so you can have actual reasons why you disagree.

[Edword]

The hilarious thing is people still don't understand how RT works People keep thinking RT is the bad guy and giving movies bad scores.

Saw this blowing up on twitter yesterday and was amazed how stupid people are being about this.

[Dalekbuster523Bluray]

Originally Posted by mpstjohn

I don't have an issue with critics having an opinion. Its placing critics opinions ahead of fans or pretending a fan's opinion doesn't matter because of critics. Beside the facts that we haven't had any fans reactions yet on RT, (and all the reactions I've read from people that went to early screenings has been positive) its allowing both sides to have a say. This is what critics say and this is what ordinary people say.

If I tell somebody I'm apprehensive about the new Ghostbusters movie they can tell me it had a 98% on RT so I'm just plain wrong if I don't like it, conversely if a movie has a bad critic rating they'll use a rating on RT to support their point and ask "why am I lying to myself when I know I hated it". Yes, critics are allowed an opinion, I think its letting critics think for us that has led to the petition, the people who take a look at a website for a sec and just decide "yeah, I'm never gonna see that movie now". Its their prerogative but its also kind of lazy when they might be completely ignoring the Fan Rating.

Does RT need to be taken down? I don't think so but I think more people thinking for themselves wouldn't hurt either. Right now Sausage Party is sitting at 100%, that's the same score as Citizen Kane and A Raisin in the Sun. If you weren't paying attention to just how many ratings were in for that movie you could argue its not just the greatest comedy but one of the greatest movies of all time and shun anyone who says otherwise. Or you could go see it and form your own opinion. As a fan of BvS I enjoyed the movie but also understand not everyone else did, if you didn't you're entitled to your opinion as am I but its frustrating to hear someone say not only does my opinion not matter on the film but I'm clearly lying to myself because of a number on a website.

While I don't think the petition is necessary, I understand the frustration that led to its inception.

Whilst you make valid points, it doesn't make it right to petition for a site to be taken down because a bunch of critics disagree with your opinion. If the new Ghostbusters had received bad reviews, I would have disagreed with the critics but I wouldn't have wanted Rotten Tomatoes taken down. That's just their opinion.

People are capable of forming their own opinions without a site that collects critics' reviews deciding for them.

[Pondosinatra]

I don't really pay much attention to RT anyway. I tend to find IMDB to be a much better barometer of general consensus on a given movie.

[nrose101]

Can someone please explain to me what the bias is for some critics? Maybe here in Florida we have a disconnect? These top critics on Rotten Tomatoes, as per usual these days, do not represent critics in South Florida. Unless it's a Disney film, an artsy drama, a political film, or a raunchy comedy, it will not receive a "fresh" score on Rotten Tomatoes.

For example, out of this year's summer films, Tarzan, Bourne, and now Suicide Squad, all get "rotten" scores, yet films like Ghostbusters, Neighbors 2, and Mike and Dave get high marks? However, when I talk to other critics, or even just fans, they feel the opposite scores should have held true.

I can definitely attest 100% that there is no "conspiracy" going on. No critics are "shills", however, there truly seems to be a wider disconnect than ever lately with critics in some parts of the US and general audiences.

Please Please help me understand.

[Creed]

You know, Rotten Tomatoes are not to blame. They just take random reviews and put them fresh or rotten. This is idiotic.

[Thomas Guycott]

Originally Posted by creed123

You know, Rotten Tomatoes are not to blame. They just take random reviews and put them fresh or rotten. This is idiotic.

I believe it's the critics themselves who grade their reviews as "fresh" or "rotten" for RT.

[mpstjohn]

Originally Posted by Dalekbuster523Bluray

Whilst you make valid points, it doesn't make it right to petition for a site to be taken down because a bunch of critics disagree with your opinion. If the new Ghostbusters had received bad reviews, I would have disagreed with the critics but I wouldn't have wanted Rotten Tomatoes taken down. That's just their opinion.

People are capable of forming their own opinions without a site that collects critics' reviews deciding for them.

I wasn't saying it was right to petition the site being taken down. I said I understood the frustration that led to the idea of the petition.

The site doesn't need to be taken down, the problem can be remedied with people just thinking for themselves rather than relying on a number on a website.

I think its better to form your own opinion on a movie than letting a number decide how you feel about it. And if you don't like a movie that's cool and stick to your guns on why you didn't like or if you did love why you loved it but saying another opinion doesn't matter because of a number is lazy and probably what led to this petition in the first place.

We don't always agree on what we like but a number shouldn't decide the worth of a complete stranger's opinion when its personal and they're entitled to it.

People are capable of forming their own opinion on something but if it comes down to shelling out money to see a movie and looking at a number on a webpage some will choose the latter.

I caught an early screening of BvS and got flack from people for liking it from people who hadn't seen it because of RT. They hadn't seen it and didn't plan on seeing it because of a number, nothing I said would convince them I was possibly right. It wasn't the first time and yes people can form their own opinions but don't always. Personally I'd rather discuss the movie itself when talking about whether a movie is good or bad but have gotten into arguments with people who haven't seen it but have seen the RT rating and so are right.

[mastadge]

Originally Posted by Thomas Guycott

I believe it's the critics themselves who grade their reviews as "fresh" or "rotten" for RT.

Interesting if true, because occasionally I read a review that I feel is generally positive but is marked rotten or vice versa and wonder how that happened.