- 5/29/2025
Join us as we explore the eternal debate between professional film critics and audience reviews! We'll analyze their credibility, reliability, and versatility through famous cases like "The Sound of Music," "Star Wars," and recent releases. Who has the final say in determining a movie's worth?
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00:00There are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and
00:06defense of the new. Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're analyzing the impact of movie critics,
00:13fan reviews, and who you should trust. You're not getting to me! Okay, okay. You're not getting to me!
00:20Okay, Carl. He's not getting to me! In March 2023, A.O. Scott stepped away from his film
00:27critic role at the New York Times. Scott said of his departure, quote,
00:31The feeling of disconnection between the critic and the audience feels much stronger,
00:36and the gulf feels much wider. That divide continues to grow. Critics at Cannes praised
00:42Emilia Perez as bold and important.
00:49The film Twitter community found it tonally confused and more problematic than progressive,
00:55as reflected through a less than 20% positive audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics rolled
01:02their eyes at a Minecraft movie as another shallow case of IP mining. Meanwhile, fans have spoken with
01:08their wallets and chickens. While there are numerous movies critics and audiences agree on,
01:15the gap goes back further than you think. After inflation, The Sound of Music remains one of the
01:2010 highest-grossing films ever. Upon release, though, the critical reception was middling,
01:29with Pauline Kael writing an especially scathing critique. This supposedly got Kael fired,
01:34although she rebounded with a review championing Bonnie and Clyde. At the time, Kael and Roger Ebert
01:40were among the only critics who realized the genius of that game-changing crime drama. Various critics,
01:46most notably Bosley Crowther, condemned the controversial film.
01:50Why? Why? What do you mean, why? Because you're different, that's why.
01:54Audiences got the last word, making Bonnie and Clyde a bona fide hit. Not long after,
02:00Crowther was replaced as the New York Times film critic. Psycho, The Shining, and The Godfather Part 2
02:05are just a few other classics that initially received mixed reviews, but found passionate audiences.
02:11I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart.
02:15Since 1979, CinemaScore has tracked audience responses to movies. The Empire Strikes Back was
02:22among the first to garner an A-plus CinemaScore, but many critics didn't review it as favorably
02:27as the original Star Wars.
02:29No, that's not true. That's impossible.
02:36Search your feelings, you know it to be true.
02:39Now, Empire is almost universally considered the franchise's apex. The rise of blockbusters like
02:45Star Wars Forever Changed Cinema, further separating critics from general moviegoers.
02:50Film keeps evolving, as does film criticism, with the internet providing a platform for everyone.
02:56Why do you feel they are so bad?
02:58I feel they're so bad because they're completely dehumanizing.
03:02Yet the way critics and audiences interpret films hasn't radically changed.
03:06Critics tend to judge films based on artistic merit, originality, and impact on the art form.
03:12Audience opinions are driven more by emotional appeal and sheer entertainment value.
03:16So who should we trust when picking a movie to watch?
03:19Well, I'm putting the burden of lousy movies back on you.
03:23Let's see if we can settle this in three rounds.
03:26Round 1. Credibility.
03:28Seasoned critics have dedicated their careers to studying film,
03:32accumulating vast knowledge of the craft, and regularly reviewing.
03:36Critics are more inclined to appreciate details that might be lost on general audiences,
03:41like references to classic Hollywood in Hail Caesar and Babylon.
03:45This is what we've been looking for. Sound is how we redefine the form.
03:49Sound!
03:50Since critics are exposed to so many cliched plots and overused tropes,
03:55they usually appreciate it when a film like Uncut Gems, Mother, or even Emilia Perez takes a big swing.
04:01Doctor, you don't know what it's like to be a queen.
04:06Of course, just because a film is unique doesn't always mean it's well-assembled or even entertaining.
04:11If hundreds of critics praise a film the public hates, it's the smaller group, right?
04:15Are critics focusing on the wrong elements, or are they digging deeper to unearth what others are missing?
04:21Oh no, so that's the problem.
04:23What?
04:24Audience critiques might not be as detailed as critic reviews,
04:27although they're more easily digestible.
04:29The Greatest Showman had beautiful music, Red Notice had a fun cast, Venom had Venom.
04:35I know everything, Eddie.
04:36You do?
04:37Everything about you.
04:38No.
04:39I am inside your head.
04:40Yes.
04:41You are a loser, Eddie.
04:43Fan reactions to tentpoles tend to be more generous,
04:47hence why studios are featuring audience scores in ads.
04:51When you really think about some of these movies, though,
04:53more issues with the plot and characters become apparent.
04:56Look at you.
04:57You are all so adorable.
04:59Most audiences aren't looking to analyze, however.
05:02They just want to be entertained for two hours.
05:05Fair enough.
05:05But is this approach dumbing cinema down?
05:08As much as critics nitpick, fans too can dwell on negative aspects while ignoring what works.
05:13Fan reviews can also veer into empty, toxic criticisms like Ray is a Mary Sue.
05:31Films shouldn't simply be categorized as good or bad.
05:34All movies have layers, some positive, some negative, others mixed.
05:38Critics have the credentials to uncover these elements,
05:41opening up a conversation that may leave you seeing the film in a different light.
05:45This round goes to the critics.
05:46The bitter truth we critics must face is that in the grand scheme of things,
05:53the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating itself.
06:00Round 2.
06:01Reliability.
06:02Critics choose this profession because they love cinema,
06:05not because they thrive on trashing movies.
06:08As much fun as that can be.
06:09The true critic goes farther and deeper in contextualizing the movie,
06:13Peary explained in an interview.
06:15He or she situates it in a framework of other films,
06:18but also sees it in relation to history, politics, philosophy, economics, literature,
06:23whatever seems relevant.
06:25Contrary to conspiracy theories, studios don't bribe critics.
06:28When critics praise Marvel while bashing DC, Disney isn't pulling the strings.
06:33It's their honest opinions.
06:35Whether or not you agree, what matters most is a critic's ability to thoughtfully share their perspective.
06:40Dad, you're being cruel for no reason.
06:42What will people think?
06:44People will think what I tell them to think when you tell me what to tell them to think.
06:47Yet it's important to consider the demographics primarily dominating review aggregator sites.
06:52According to a 2022 study, 69% of critics across various media are male.
06:58This might explain why genres that cater more toward female viewers, i.e. rom-coms,
07:02don't always get the best reviews.
07:04That's great.
07:05No.
07:06The art of criticism also seems to be shifting from astutely written commentary
07:10to YouTubers ranting before a webcam.
07:12Where critics groups are exclusive clubs, anyone can post their thoughts online.
07:17While the internet literally makes it possible for everyone to be a critic,
07:21it also literally makes it possible for everyone to be a critic.
07:24Audiences are more volatile, reacting based on immediate emotional responses
07:28instead of sitting with a film, taking in the deeper subtext.
07:32They may not be as articulate, but user reviews reflect a more diverse collection of voices.
07:37However, audience scores are more susceptible to review bombing,
07:41despite the measures sites like Rotten Tomatoes have taken to prevent this practice.
07:45A bunch of people will get together and decide preemptively that they don't like
07:50not so much the movie, but the messages that are perceived to be within the movie.
07:55And so they will cluster on a review site like Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb,
08:00and they will like plummet the score as low as they can by all giving it one star.
08:05Fans of certain franchises can have a cult-like mentality,
08:08blindly worshipping the latest release as long as it doesn't betray what came before.
08:13Those who go against the hive mind are targets for trolling.
08:16Then again, fans who live and breathe the source material may have more insight
08:20than a critic who isn't as well-versed.
08:23It's just a movie.
08:24No, it's not.
08:25To some people, the original is their favorite thing in the world.
08:28While neither camp is 100% reliable,
08:31the fact that there are more male than female or non-binary critics
08:35doesn't allow for the most balanced consensus.
08:38Audience scores are like the popular vote,
08:40which provides a more reliable record of people's views than the electoral college.
08:45This round is for the fans.
08:47The fans won't stand for it.
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09:04Round 3. Versatility.
09:06People assume critics' tastes are limited to arthouse cinema.
09:10In reality, most critics have a broad palette,
09:13embracing a range of genres.
09:15Want to hear the most annoying sound in the world?
09:20Guys! Guys! Guys!
09:23Still, critics are known for being harsher towards certain types of films,
09:27i.e. traditional slasher flicks,
09:29sentimental melodramas,
09:30or slapstick comedies.
09:32They can be especially snobbish about IP-driven blockbusters.
09:36The Super Mario Bros. movie was criticized for relying on easter eggs,
09:41nostalgia, and fan service.
09:43You can't escape me!
09:46What?
09:47Blue shell!
09:49Blue shell!
09:54Ah!
09:55Ah!
10:01Ah!
10:01Ah!
10:02Ah!
10:04No!
10:06No, Mario!
10:07Of course, that's what fans loved about it.
10:10You could make the same argument about Ready Player One,
10:12which critics generally enjoyed.
10:14Some may argue they're out of touch with mainstream tastes,
10:17but critics play a crucial role in highlighting original films like Poor Things,
10:22Everything Everywhere All at Once,
10:23and The Substance,
10:25which might have gone overlooked otherwise.
10:27We want a show that's just like you.
10:31You.
10:32Beautiful and happy.
10:33People want to be happy.
10:35The public's taste sometimes surprises us.
10:38Sausage Party and Spy Kids have fresh critics' scores on Rotten Tomatoes,
10:43but the popcorn meter for both is negative.
10:45Ew, gross.
10:47What do you see?
10:48Ew.
10:49Very funny.
10:50You'd think it will be the other way around,
10:52but this shows critics can enjoy a gross-out comedy or a chaotic kids flick more than the
10:57average moviegoer, where professional critics get to slash have to review numerous movies.
11:02Fans cherry-pick what aligns with their interests.
11:06It's a different matter in the court of public opinion.
11:08In most cases, they'll prioritize films with brand recognition,
11:12allowing original works to fall through the cracks.
11:14Although many are content with eating the same meal Hollywood keeps serving,
11:18some cinephiles will seek out more ambitious and independent fare.
11:22That said, those films probably wouldn't have been on their radars if not for the critics.
11:27Not too shabby.
11:29What is shabby?
11:31Oh, I'm just playing.
11:33While critics don't always get it right,
11:35their commitment to watching as much as possible exhibits a wider appreciation for movies.
11:40Critics encourage others to step out of their comfort zones,
11:43both in terms of filmmaking and film viewing.
11:45The more you see, the more versatile your tastes become.
11:49Thus, we're giving a thumbs up to the critics for the win.
11:52Film criticism is about more than that.
11:54It's about having our perceptions of art challenged and expanded.
11:57It's a discussion, not an echo chamber.
12:00Of course, these are merely our thoughts.
12:02Just as film is subjective, this conversation doesn't end with one opinion.
12:06Share yours in the comments.
12:08Do you place your trust in critics, fans, or a bit of both?
12:11In any case, it's okay to disagree on movies,
12:13as long as we can all agree the art form is worth discussing.
12:17There's no such thing as objectivity in the arts.
12:19It's all subjective, and you might as well admit that.
12:24There's no such thing as objectivity in the arts.
12:26There's no such thing as objectivity in the arts.
12:27There's no such thing as objectivity in the arts.
12:28There's no such thing as objectivity in the arts.
12:29There's no such thing as objectivity in the arts.
12:30There's no such thing as objectivity in the arts.
12:31There's no such thing as objectivity in the arts.
12:32There's no such thing as objectivity in the arts.
12:33There's no such thing as objectivity in the arts.
12:34There's no such thing as objectivity in the arts.
12:35There's no such thing as objectivity in the arts.
12:36There's no such thing as objectivity in the arts.
12:37There's no such thing as objectivity in the arts.
12:38There's no such thing as objectivity in the arts.
12:39There's no such thing as objectivity in the arts.
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