Deeming a movie overrated usually causes a bit of controversy since it’s typically done to insult or bash a movie many people love. Without being overly cynical or a contrarian, there’s much to learn from discussing overrated movies and what that means. Being overrated doesn’t necessarily mean bad, but is less than what the general consensus is. Regardless, here are a few movies I feel are overrated and why I think that.
The Notebook (2004)
Logline – A poor yet passionate young man (Ryan Gosling) falls in love with a rich young woman (Rachel McAdams), giving her a sense of freedom. Still, they are soon separated because of their social differences.
The Notebook seems to be on every list related to Romances, and I think that’s because many people have revisited the movie since watching it years ago. I don’t know if that’s a total assumption, and through a modern lens, it’s way cheesier, melodramatic, and unrealistic than I remember as a kid. It’s not a terrible movie, but I don’t think it deserves the accolades it’s kept over the years, at least from an audience perspective. Watch the Before Trilogy or Sideways instead.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Logline – With Spider-Man’s identity now revealed, Peter asks Doctor Strange for help. When a spell goes wrong, dangerous foes from other worlds appear, forcing Peter to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.
Ah, I remember seeing Spider-Man: No Way Home and getting roasted by my friends for not enjoying it to the same degree everyone else did. My biggest gripe with the film comes down to its appeal, where its story doesn’t stand alone. All of it is grounded outside of this film (in past films, in this case). When you take that nostalgia bait away, you get a very straightforward comic book movie that doesn’t take any of the risks it should’ve.
Joker (2019)
Logline – The rise of Arthur Fleck, from aspiring stand-up comedian and pariah to Gotham’s clown prince and leader of the revolution.
I like Joker, but I don’t think it’s the best movie ever made or even the best movie set in Gotham. I deem it overrated because when you remove Joaquin Phoenix’s incredible performance and solid cinematography and score, you’re left with a very lousy script. The dialogue painfully tries too hard at times, and it’s easy for people to overlook the plot and dialogue issues because of how appealing the character is.
Citizen Kane (1941)
Logline – Following the death of publishing tycoon Charles Foster Kane, reporters scramble to uncover the meaning of his final utterance: ‘Rosebud.’
Citizen Kane is a great movie, and unfortunately, it’s easily viewed as overrated since so many critics refer to it as the best movie ever made. Whenever a film gets that title, you know the expectations won’t be met, no matter how good it is. There’s a lot to love about Citizen Kane, especially from a historical lens, but it doesn’t have as much rewatchability as I would’ve liked. Maybe I’m wrong. Still very good, nonetheless.
American Sniper (2014)
Logline – Navy S.E.A.L. sniper Chris Kyle’s pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and turns him into a legend. Back home with his family after four tours of duty, however, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.
I think the general reception of American Sniper has changed since its release, where more people realize it wasn’t as good as they initially thought. There’s a lot you can say about the film, and what it comes down to is how overly dramatic and ridiculous it is. It doesn’t hold up, and that’s all I really have to say.
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