Top 10 Overrated Movies/TV Shows
Of The Last Decade (Or So)
10) Sherlock (Series 3). Current RT Public Score: 97%
So, before the fangirls burn my house down; I absolutely adore Sherlock Series 1 and 2. They are, in my opinion, some of the best episodes of TV of all time. Series 3, however, was a massive disappointment. Whilst I'll admit that each episode is moderately entertaining for a casual viewer, I found them extremely difficult to finish in one go. The main problem is the lack of actual crime solving. I'm all for character development, but when your crime show features around 10 minutes of crime, you know you have a problem. We got plenty of character development in Series 1 and 2 without compromising on (to quote Jayne from Firefly) "thrilling heroics".
9) How I Met Your Mother. Average RT Public Score: 90%
I'll be the first to admit that HIMYM can be genuinely hilarious. Where it fails however, is the stuff in between jokes. All the characters (except Marshall) are so feebly and inconsistently written that any development they may have undergone in one episode is completely nullified by the next. Ted is the worst example. Towards the end of Season 8, he decides (and I quote) "I'm ready to find the one". and what does he do in S9 E1? He goes after Robin on the day before her wedding! This is one of many examples of current sitcoms negating character growth for cheap laughs and/or conflict.
8) X-Men: First Class. Current RT Public Score: 87%
I'm constantly surprised by how many people cite First Class as their favourite X-Men film. Not that it's terrible or anything. It's just extremely bland. First off, (with the exception of James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence) the acting is pretty awful. Special mention must go to Nicholas Hoult (Beast)'s hilarious delivery of "Don't mock me!" He honestly sounds like a man ingesting cardboard via his nostril! Other problems include: writing, special effects, Fassbender's Irish accent in the third act, generic bad guys and some MAJOR continuity issues.
7) District 9. Current RT Public Score: 82%
Nothing annoys me more than a movie that bathes in it's own self-importance. District 9 is most certainly one of those movies. Sure, there's some interesting satire going on, but it's delivered so heavy-handedly that it left me completely numb. But the preachiness isn't my main problem. That would be the complete lack of originality. People have called Avatar derivative, so why not Distrct 9? This also copies off Ferngully, Pocahontas and Dances With Wolves, perhaps more so. It also contains some of the blandest, most cliched characters imaginable. The corporate douchebag, the trigger-happy mercenary, the can't-cope-it's-so-hard-boo-hoo wife etc. A reasonably effective sci-fi, maybe, but a modern masterpiece?
6) Iron Man 3 (kind of). Current RT Public Score: 79%
When I say "kind of", I mean that there are a selection of people who absolute despise Iron Man 3. The vast majority of movie-goers however, somehow love this (another Firefly quote) "flying piece of gousa". I honestly don't understand why. I'm fine with humour in superhero films (the Hellboy films are some of my favourites) but IM3 goes completely overboard. Whenever it looks like the movie's going to get exciting, tense or (heaven forfend!) interesting, we're hit around the head with a heinous "joke" from Trevor Slattery (the far-better-than-this Ben Kingsley). There's nothing to grab hold of; no emotion, no thrills, no character development. Nothing but repetitive jokes about how hilarious the British sound!
5) The Big Bang Theory. Average RT Public Score: 87%
This pick will probably be the most controversial in terms of my age group, but this is the show that made me want to write this article. I'll be the first to admit that The Big Bang Theory (Seasons 1-5) is some of the best televised comedy of the 21st centruy. So, why in Spock's name is this on my list? Well, you'll noticed that there are 7 seasons of TBBT, not 5. Seasons 6-7 are genuinely the most frustrating seasons of television I've ever seen. The real issue is what the writers are doing to their characters. All of the main foursome (not like that!) have completely backtracked in terms of development in the last 2 years. Remember season 5 Sheldon? The serious, sort-of matured adult who made serious decision for the good of his girlfriend and friends? Well, screw him! Here's Season 7 Sheldon, who becomes furious with his girlfriend for revealing a plot hole in Raiders and becomes obsessed with ruining an aspect of her childhood. Funny, right? As with HIMYM, TBBT ignores character development for cheap laughs.
4) Man of Steel (kind of, again). Current RT Public Score: 76%
Again, there is a sizable pocket of people who absolutely hate Man of Steel. I named it as my Least Favourite Movie of 2013. Admittedly. it would have been 2nd if I'd seen The Lone Ranger in cinemas (I foolishly bought it on Blu-Ray). However, that doesn't change the fact that I despise MoS with all my gorram (more Firefly) heart! My issues with it have already been summed up by other (certainly better) critics, such as Sam Gavin, whose video perfectly captures everything that makes this movie a failure. Put simply: stupid characters, horrible acting, nauseating dialogue, soulless action and a ludicrous romance. I will probably go into further detail when Batman vs Superman vs Sleep Deprivation comes around.
3) Moulin Rouge. Current RT Public Score: 90%
Whilst it's true that Moulin Rouge is highly original, there's a very good reason why! It is widely accepted that Moulin Rouge is a love-it-or-hate-it experience, and that is entirely true. It's just, I can not fathom how anyone could enjoy this movie. First off, it has no idea what tone it's going for. One minute, Ewan McGregor is grieving over the loss of his great love, the next John Leguizamo (as a dwarf I might add) crashes through his ceiling in one of the most jarring tonal shift of cinematic history. This uncertainty continues; is this a parody? A hip retelling? A drama? I still have no idea. Like Iron Man 3, the bizarre veerings into goofball humour ruin a potentially impressive film.
2) The Artist. Current RT Public Score: 88%
I know, I'm a terrible human being! That being true, I can't stand The Artist. Maybe it was the weight of expectation I put this movie under. Maybe i didn't see it on the right day. I don't know, but somehow, I'm the only living soul on the planet that hates The Artist. Why? Honestly, it's the most mediocre film imaginable, full of cliched, boring characters (how many times have we seen George Valentin before?), obvious conflict (the obligatory overheard conversation) and the insanely goofy acting (Jean Dujardin smiles like a Sesame Street character). I promise you that if this film wasn't silent and in black and white, no one would have taken any notice of it. We've seen this movie so many times before, I dare not count. Finally, it's sheer smugness. Never before or since have I seen a film so utterly, ferociously pleased with it's own "invention". Well, except this next movie...
1) Les Miserables. Current RT Public Score: 79%
Now, I'm a huge fan of certain muscials. The Sound of Music is like a warm hug. Singin' In The Rain is an absolute must-see! An American In Paris is one of the most underrated films of all time! Why then, do I hate Les Miserables. The great thing about musicals are that the singing only takes place when a character is feeling an extraordinary level of emotion. For example, Don Lockwood in Singin' In The Rain only sings in the rain (!) because of his unshakable new love for Kathy Selden.Les Miserables, however, is not a musical; it's an opera. When every word is sung, none of them matter. I'll admit, Anne Hathaway is incredible as Fantine, but the rest of the cast are wholly uninspiring. As I mention before with Moulin Rouge and Iron Man 3, I found it extremely difficult to become invested because whenever a serious, dark moment loomed, we were "treated" to Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen's insufferable "comedy". There were so mind-crashingly irksome, I almost screamed a scream as time went by. It's well crafted, sure, but totally inaccessible and oddly cold.
Am I an idiot? What movies/TV shows do you hate that everyone else loves? Let me know in the comments below. As always, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@The_Hamster_Boy) and stayed tuned for more reviews and articles. My next review will most likely be Winter's Tale, probably on Sunday (it's released in the UK this Friday). Thanks for reading, I'll see you guys next time!
9) How I Met Your Mother. Average RT Public Score: 90%
I'll be the first to admit that HIMYM can be genuinely hilarious. Where it fails however, is the stuff in between jokes. All the characters (except Marshall) are so feebly and inconsistently written that any development they may have undergone in one episode is completely nullified by the next. Ted is the worst example. Towards the end of Season 8, he decides (and I quote) "I'm ready to find the one". and what does he do in S9 E1? He goes after Robin on the day before her wedding! This is one of many examples of current sitcoms negating character growth for cheap laughs and/or conflict.
8) X-Men: First Class. Current RT Public Score: 87%
I'm constantly surprised by how many people cite First Class as their favourite X-Men film. Not that it's terrible or anything. It's just extremely bland. First off, (with the exception of James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence) the acting is pretty awful. Special mention must go to Nicholas Hoult (Beast)'s hilarious delivery of "Don't mock me!" He honestly sounds like a man ingesting cardboard via his nostril! Other problems include: writing, special effects, Fassbender's Irish accent in the third act, generic bad guys and some MAJOR continuity issues.
7) District 9. Current RT Public Score: 82%
Nothing annoys me more than a movie that bathes in it's own self-importance. District 9 is most certainly one of those movies. Sure, there's some interesting satire going on, but it's delivered so heavy-handedly that it left me completely numb. But the preachiness isn't my main problem. That would be the complete lack of originality. People have called Avatar derivative, so why not Distrct 9? This also copies off Ferngully, Pocahontas and Dances With Wolves, perhaps more so. It also contains some of the blandest, most cliched characters imaginable. The corporate douchebag, the trigger-happy mercenary, the can't-cope-it's-so-hard-boo-hoo wife etc. A reasonably effective sci-fi, maybe, but a modern masterpiece?
6) Iron Man 3 (kind of). Current RT Public Score: 79%
When I say "kind of", I mean that there are a selection of people who absolute despise Iron Man 3. The vast majority of movie-goers however, somehow love this (another Firefly quote) "flying piece of gousa". I honestly don't understand why. I'm fine with humour in superhero films (the Hellboy films are some of my favourites) but IM3 goes completely overboard. Whenever it looks like the movie's going to get exciting, tense or (heaven forfend!) interesting, we're hit around the head with a heinous "joke" from Trevor Slattery (the far-better-than-this Ben Kingsley). There's nothing to grab hold of; no emotion, no thrills, no character development. Nothing but repetitive jokes about how hilarious the British sound!
5) The Big Bang Theory. Average RT Public Score: 87%
This pick will probably be the most controversial in terms of my age group, but this is the show that made me want to write this article. I'll be the first to admit that The Big Bang Theory (Seasons 1-5) is some of the best televised comedy of the 21st centruy. So, why in Spock's name is this on my list? Well, you'll noticed that there are 7 seasons of TBBT, not 5. Seasons 6-7 are genuinely the most frustrating seasons of television I've ever seen. The real issue is what the writers are doing to their characters. All of the main foursome (not like that!) have completely backtracked in terms of development in the last 2 years. Remember season 5 Sheldon? The serious, sort-of matured adult who made serious decision for the good of his girlfriend and friends? Well, screw him! Here's Season 7 Sheldon, who becomes furious with his girlfriend for revealing a plot hole in Raiders and becomes obsessed with ruining an aspect of her childhood. Funny, right? As with HIMYM, TBBT ignores character development for cheap laughs.
4) Man of Steel (kind of, again). Current RT Public Score: 76%
Again, there is a sizable pocket of people who absolutely hate Man of Steel. I named it as my Least Favourite Movie of 2013. Admittedly. it would have been 2nd if I'd seen The Lone Ranger in cinemas (I foolishly bought it on Blu-Ray). However, that doesn't change the fact that I despise MoS with all my gorram (more Firefly) heart! My issues with it have already been summed up by other (certainly better) critics, such as Sam Gavin, whose video perfectly captures everything that makes this movie a failure. Put simply: stupid characters, horrible acting, nauseating dialogue, soulless action and a ludicrous romance. I will probably go into further detail when Batman vs Superman vs Sleep Deprivation comes around.
3) Moulin Rouge. Current RT Public Score: 90%
Whilst it's true that Moulin Rouge is highly original, there's a very good reason why! It is widely accepted that Moulin Rouge is a love-it-or-hate-it experience, and that is entirely true. It's just, I can not fathom how anyone could enjoy this movie. First off, it has no idea what tone it's going for. One minute, Ewan McGregor is grieving over the loss of his great love, the next John Leguizamo (as a dwarf I might add) crashes through his ceiling in one of the most jarring tonal shift of cinematic history. This uncertainty continues; is this a parody? A hip retelling? A drama? I still have no idea. Like Iron Man 3, the bizarre veerings into goofball humour ruin a potentially impressive film.
2) The Artist. Current RT Public Score: 88%
I know, I'm a terrible human being! That being true, I can't stand The Artist. Maybe it was the weight of expectation I put this movie under. Maybe i didn't see it on the right day. I don't know, but somehow, I'm the only living soul on the planet that hates The Artist. Why? Honestly, it's the most mediocre film imaginable, full of cliched, boring characters (how many times have we seen George Valentin before?), obvious conflict (the obligatory overheard conversation) and the insanely goofy acting (Jean Dujardin smiles like a Sesame Street character). I promise you that if this film wasn't silent and in black and white, no one would have taken any notice of it. We've seen this movie so many times before, I dare not count. Finally, it's sheer smugness. Never before or since have I seen a film so utterly, ferociously pleased with it's own "invention". Well, except this next movie...
1) Les Miserables. Current RT Public Score: 79%
Now, I'm a huge fan of certain muscials. The Sound of Music is like a warm hug. Singin' In The Rain is an absolute must-see! An American In Paris is one of the most underrated films of all time! Why then, do I hate Les Miserables. The great thing about musicals are that the singing only takes place when a character is feeling an extraordinary level of emotion. For example, Don Lockwood in Singin' In The Rain only sings in the rain (!) because of his unshakable new love for Kathy Selden.Les Miserables, however, is not a musical; it's an opera. When every word is sung, none of them matter. I'll admit, Anne Hathaway is incredible as Fantine, but the rest of the cast are wholly uninspiring. As I mention before with Moulin Rouge and Iron Man 3, I found it extremely difficult to become invested because whenever a serious, dark moment loomed, we were "treated" to Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen's insufferable "comedy". There were so mind-crashingly irksome, I almost screamed a scream as time went by. It's well crafted, sure, but totally inaccessible and oddly cold.
Am I an idiot? What movies/TV shows do you hate that everyone else loves? Let me know in the comments below. As always, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@The_Hamster_Boy) and stayed tuned for more reviews and articles. My next review will most likely be Winter's Tale, probably on Sunday (it's released in the UK this Friday). Thanks for reading, I'll see you guys next time!
