10 Popular Movies That Aren’t as Good as You Remember – Beragampengetahuan

When it comes to movies, the passage of time can be both a blessing and a curse. For example, a movie such as The Big Lebowski was a commercial flop upon release but eventually found its place in cinema history as one of the most beloved cult classics. On the flip side of that coin, even some popular and successful movies don’t hold up as the years go by.

Perhaps it’s that they’re a product of their time, or perhaps someone involved falls out of favor with the public. After all, the cultural tides are always shifting, and as a result, some movies that were once widely revered and celebrated can get left behind. Sometimes, it can be beneficial to take off the rose-tinted glasses and reflect upon some of the most popular modern movies. This is a selection of ten popular movies that, for one reason or another, aren’t quite as good as you may remember them to be.

10

‘Joker’ (2019)

Directed by Todd Phillips

The troubled and social outcast Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) aspires to be a renowned stand-up comic yet struggles to make a living as a party clown. The corruption of Gotham City consistently beats people like Arthur down, forcing him to adapt and fight back in increasingly violent ways. His transformation into a figure of anarchy begins with a smile.

Joker is too well-made to be anything but a good movie, but long separated from the initial hype and controversy, it’s difficult to call Joker a truly great movie. Phoenix is fantastic, of course; that much is evident by his Academy Award win. Yet, Joker lacks imagination when it comes to building up the world of the movie around this towering performance—if Joker were even half as nuanced as it is moody, it would be a modern masterpiece. Instead, it’s just a solid character study.

Joker

Release Date

October 2, 2019

Runtime

122 minutes

9

‘Gravity’ (2013)

Directed by Alfonso Cuarón

Set 372 miles above the Earth, Dr Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is serving as an engineer on her first space mission. Stone is joined by veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) on what is to be his final expedition. When a routine spacewalk leads to disaster, Stone and Kowalski are thrust into a fight for survival where outside rescue is all but impossible.

Anybody who would argue that Gravity isn’t a complete technical marvel would be fighting a losing battle. Everything from the inventive camerawork and impeccable editing makes Gravity a thoroughly impressive piece of work. Where Gravity falters, however, is in its emotional content—there simply isn’t much to latch onto in that regard. Gravity is a movie tailor-made for the theatrical experience, and when that initial awe wears off, a hollowness becomes apparent, holding this sci-fi survival epic back from being the masterpiece that it could’ve been.

Gravity

Release Date

October 3, 2013

Runtime

1h 31m

8

‘The Avengers’ (2012)

Directed by Joss Whedon

When a mysterious alien device with infinite power is stolen by the wicked Asgardian known as Loki (Tom Hiddleston), the Avengers Initiative is set into motion. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) must band together to thwart Loki’s invasion of Earth.

The Avengers is a monumental achievement and landmark movie in cinema history—it’s the epic culmination of years of establishing some of the most iconic comic-book heroes of all time. Few movies have ever been as highly anticipated as The Avengers. That being said, perhaps as a result of future Avengers entries being far superior, The Avengers doesn’t quite hit the same nowadays. Sure, there’s a certain charm and novelty to seeing these characters unite for the first time that simply can’t be replicated, but when nearly every element of this production has since been done better elsewhere, it’s understandable to feel a little underwhelmed after a revisiting.

​The Avengers

Release Date

May 4, 2012

Cast

Chris Evans
, Robert Downey Jr.
, Mark Ruffalo
, Chris Hemsworth
, Scarlett Johansson
, Jeremy Renner
, Tom Hiddleston
, Clark Gregg
, Cobie Smulders
, Stellan Skarsgård
, Samuel L. Jackson
, Gwyneth Paltrow
, Paul Bettany
, Alexis Denisof
, Tina Benko
, Jerzy Skolimowski
, Kirill Nikiforov
, Jeff Wolfe
, M’laah Kaur Singh
, Rashmi Rustagi
, Powers Boothe
, Jenny Agutter
, Arthur Darbinyan
, Donald Li
, Warren Kole

Runtime

143 minutes

Writers

Joss Whedon
, Zak Penn

Expand

7

‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) is ordered to assemble a unit and go behind enemy lines to retrieve Private James Ryan (Matt Damon). The dangerous journey is made all the more treacherous when friction occurs between the members of the unit. It’s up to Captain Miller to maintain morale while guiding both his men and Private Ryan back home.

Saving Private Ryan is a fantastically composed war epic that places extreme emphasis on immersing viewers in the brutal and bloody conflict that was WWII. With that being said, there’s something just a little off-putting about the signature Spielbergian sentimentality in a film such as this. The violence is lurid, but the emotions can come across as contrived (especially when it comes to that ending). Saving Private Ryan is a rock-solid war movie but far from the genre’s most impactful.

Release Date

July 24, 1998

Runtime

169 minutes

Writers

Robert Rodat

6

‘The Hangover’ (2009)

Directed by Todd Phillips

Four buddies head to Las Vegas for what is bound to be a bachelor party of truly epic proportions. After a night of alcohol and drug-fueled debauchery, not only is the gang unable to remember a thing, but the groom, Doug (Justin Bartha), has gone missing. Stu (Ed Helms), Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) must scour Las Vegas and find Phil before the wedding ceremony.

The Hangover is nothing less than a great time, especially with a rowdy group of friends. There’s no shortage of quotable moments or outrageous comedic setpieces. Yet, as is the case with many comedies, it loses its luster over time. A certain level of inebriation could help to alleviate the sense of familiarity, but the simple fact is that many of the once-inspired gags in The Hangover just don’t land quite as they used to.

The Hangover

Release Date

June 5, 2009

Runtime

100 minutes

Writers

Scott Moore
, Jon Lucas

5

‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ (2012)

Directed by Marc Webb

When outcast high schooler Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) is bitten by a genetically engineered spider, he gains amazing abilities. With his newfound powers, Peter sets out to serve his city as a hero, but a troubled past and heightened ego make it everything but a simple transformation. Meanwhile, the threat of a new foe known as The Lizard (Rhys Ifans) looms over the city.

While another origin story for the titular web swinger may not have been completely necessary, the unique charisma of Andrew Garfield at least promised a fresh take on both Peter Parker and his superhero alias. There’s lots to like about The Amazing Spider-Man, but for all the modern gloss, there’s an underlying hollowness and lack of imagination in the narrative. The action is fun, and Garfield brings the quips, but The Amazing Spider-Man ultimately lacks flavor.

Release Date

July 3, 2012

Runtime

136 minutes

Writers

Steve Kloves
, James Vanderbilt
, Alvin Sargent

4

‘I Am Legend’ (2007)

Directed by Francis Lawrence

The release of what was to be a cancer-curing virus mutates into a plague that wipes out the vast majority of Earth’s population. Those that the virus didn’t kill have since turned into vampiric mutants that lurk in the shadows. Scientist Robert Neville (Will Smith) walks the empty streets of New York as seemingly the city’s sole survivor. Despite the toll that the loneliness has taken on him, Neville continues his search for a cure.

I Am Legend is at its best when it engages with the psychological elements of its narrative—Will Smith eloquently sells the torment of being alone in what was once a city of millions. It’s truly effective and eerie stuff. As I Am Legend goes on, however, it loses nuance, devolving into a series of tense but far less inspired zombie horror setpieces. Overall, I Am Legend isn’t a bad movie, but there are enough missed opportunities to make it somewhat disappointing upon a rewatch.

Release Date

December 14, 2007

Runtime

101 minutes

Writers

Akiva Goldsman
, Mark Protosevich

3

‘Batman Begins’ (2005)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Left broken by the senseless death of his parents, billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world as he seeks the means to fight the injustice that plagues Gotham City. After receiving mentorship from Hendri Ducard (Liam Neeson) and Ra’s Al Ghul (Ken Watanabe), Wayne returns home and adopts the persona of Batman—a figure of vengeance that strikes fear into the hearts of the criminal and the corrupt.

With Batman Begins, visionary director Christopher Nolan breathed new life into the genre of comic-book movies. Without Batman Begins, the landscape of cinema would likely look very different. However, for all the influence it has had, Batman Begins simply isn’t as impressive by today’s standards. It’s fantastically cast and well-directed, yet considerably more sluggish than many may remember. Batman Begins certainly has its fans, but it would be safe to assume that many merely view it as an enjoyable pitstop en route to the modern masterpiece that is The Dark Knight.

Release Date

June 15, 2005

Cast

Ken Watanabe
, Liam Neeson
, Gary Oldman
, Tom Wilkinson
, Linus Roache
, Christian Bale
, Katie Holmes
, Mark Boone Junior
, Michael Caine
, Rutger Hauer
, Cillian Murphy
, Morgan Freeman

Runtime

140 Minutes

2

‘Million Dollar Baby’ (2004)

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) is an aspiring boxer with more than a few chips on her shoulder. Wishing to learn from the best, Maggie approaches the veteran yet cantankerous trainer, Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood). While first dismissing her, Frankie eventually comes around to seeing a fiery potential in Maggie and takes her under his wing. The two form a bond that reaches far beyond the boxing ring.

Sports dramas, while often inspiring by nature, tend to follow a hokey and overly familiar formula. Million Dollar Baby is at its best when it eventually ditches that formula in favor of something truly surprising (and equally devastating). Million Dollar Baby isn’t without its flaws, however. The screenplay is more than a little rough around the edges, and it could’ve used some trimming. Million Dollar Baby may not be Best Picture-worthy by today’s standards, but much like Maggie herself, it’s one of Eastwood’s best movies of the 2000s, with enough power to knock you out when you least expect it.

Million Dollar Baby

Release Date

December 15, 2004

Runtime

132 minutes

Writers

Paul Haggis

1

‘Forrest Gump’ (1994)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) is a man with an impossibly interesting life story. From his time on the All-American Collegiate football team, service in the Vietnam War, entrepreneurial efforts aboard a shrimping boat, and even meeting with three different U.S. presidents, Forrest always seemed to be at the center of American cultural events. Still, he stayed true to who he was and what he believed in, inspiring kindness and understanding.

Forrest Gump is a movie as American as baseball and apple pie, and it’s no wonder that many look back on it so fondly. It was a massive financial and critical success, winning six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. No one would dare argue Forrest Gump is a bad movie, but it is far from a perfect one. Forrest Gump is a character-driven epic that doesn’t pull from emotional depths as often as it should, making for an experience that’s endearing but not exactly contemplative or emotionally resonant. Those who love it (and there are many) are unlikely to be swayed, but for all its iconic moments, Forrest Gump simply isn’t as striking as it once was.

Forrest Gump

Release Date

July 6, 1994

Runtime

142 minutes

NEXT: The 10 Worst Golden Globe-Winning Movies of All Time, Ranked