07-11-2007, 01:03 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-11-2007, 01:06 AM by [wcip]Angel.)
I went to see the Transformers-movie, and as expected, the movie delivered an action-packed, sci-fi funk-fest with a script that made my skin crawl. Like all good nerdlingers do, I went online to voice my opinion of this '5 out of 10 stars'-movie. Although I've presented my arguments on why Transformers kicks ass as a technical showpiece but sucks donkey as a movie, I've yet to find another person who agrees with me, making me believe I'm actually wrong about this.
My main argument is this: just because action/sci-fi flicks emphasise special effects and action scenes, that doesn't mean the writers should get away with producing a sub-par script with horrid dialogue, inconstencies and plot holes, unbelievable/unrealistic characters, etc.
When I give Transformers my 5 out of 10 (or, as we here in Norway use the scale of 1-6 on a die , a 3), people don't react well. They don't accept that my critique of the movie is valid. The counter-argument is usually "why do you care about the script and the characters when this is a sci-fi flick, not a drama?" This is a view held by the majority of the people I've spoken with. To that I say that all great sci-fi flicks (Terminator2, Blade Runner, Aliens, Serenity) have elements of great drama in them, even though they are technically considered sci-fi. (Same goes for action movies by the way.)
So, to my question: Am I grading movies 'wrong'? Obviously, in the realm of subjectivity, the notion of 'wrong' holds little to no value. But should I expect less of a sci-fi script than a drama-script just because the former emphasise aliens, guns and explosions and the latter lots of hugging and family picnics? My belief is that crappy dialogue and weak characters will jar the audience's suspension of disbelief no matter whether they're watching a a modern rendition of Sense and Sensibility or Transformers. So far, I've yet to find a person who agrees with this view.
Which hold the Lurkers?
edit: concord error in thread-title. Damn! Can't be fixed without mod-privileges.
My main argument is this: just because action/sci-fi flicks emphasise special effects and action scenes, that doesn't mean the writers should get away with producing a sub-par script with horrid dialogue, inconstencies and plot holes, unbelievable/unrealistic characters, etc.
When I give Transformers my 5 out of 10 (or, as we here in Norway use the scale of 1-6 on a die , a 3), people don't react well. They don't accept that my critique of the movie is valid. The counter-argument is usually "why do you care about the script and the characters when this is a sci-fi flick, not a drama?" This is a view held by the majority of the people I've spoken with. To that I say that all great sci-fi flicks (Terminator2, Blade Runner, Aliens, Serenity) have elements of great drama in them, even though they are technically considered sci-fi. (Same goes for action movies by the way.)
So, to my question: Am I grading movies 'wrong'? Obviously, in the realm of subjectivity, the notion of 'wrong' holds little to no value. But should I expect less of a sci-fi script than a drama-script just because the former emphasise aliens, guns and explosions and the latter lots of hugging and family picnics? My belief is that crappy dialogue and weak characters will jar the audience's suspension of disbelief no matter whether they're watching a a modern rendition of Sense and Sensibility or Transformers. So far, I've yet to find a person who agrees with this view.
Which hold the Lurkers?
edit: concord error in thread-title. Damn! Can't be fixed without mod-privileges.
