Buzz
It often feels like every new Hollywood release follows the same tired formula: over-the-top CGI, weak storytelling, and an endless parade of unnecessary sequels. But was there ever truly a golden age of cinema, where studios were sanctuaries for creative artists rather than profit-driven machines? What if we told you that era never really existed… and that Hollywood isn’t as terrible as it seems? Here are ten common complaints about Hollywood – and ten reasons why they’re completely misguided.
10. Sequels are terrible!
Consider the lineup of major films released in 2011: Harry Potter 7 Pt.2, Transformers Dark of the Moon, Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Pt.1, The Hangover Part II, Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides, Fast Five, Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol, Cars 2, and Sherlock Holmes 2. What ties these movies together? They were the highest-grossing films of the year. And, unsurprisingly, they were all sequels.
How can this be, you ask? After all, 2011 also gave us critically praised original films like Hugo, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and Justin Bieber’s Never Say Never. We often watch movies to follow the journeys of beloved characters. This is why fans lined up at midnight for Harry Potter 7. We were all curious to see what chaotic antics the Hangover crew would stumble into next. Sure, we didn’t expect it to mirror the first movie so closely – but if we truly disliked it, Hangover 2 wouldn’t have become the fourth highest-grossing film. Despite our complaints, loving sequels seems ingrained in human nature. Just wait for Hangover 3 and see for yourself.
9. It’s all just mindless action!
These days, movies often feel like 90 minutes of non-stop explosions. We even have a genre called “Summer Blockbusters” that epitomizes this trend. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to watch a film where action is restrained or balanced with stellar performances? Actually, no. We’d probably hate that. Looking back at 2011’s top 50 highest-grossing films, only about 9 were action-packed blockbusters, and just 5 of those succeeded. That means only 1 in 10 “summer blockbusters” performed well – far from the overwhelming dominance you might assume.
Okay, fine, you might argue. But that’s still more than in the past. One factor to consider is technological advancements. Today, creating an explosion is far easier than in 1971, when actual explosives were needed. Still, let’s reflect on cinematic masterpieces like Pulp Fiction, The Godfather, Lord of the Rings, and Fight Club. Star Wars essentially invented the Summer Blockbuster genre. These aren’t random examples; they’re among the highest-rated films of all time. According to a University of Westminster study, watching horror or action movies triggers an adrenaline rush, creating a euphoric high we crave. Essentially, society is hooked on high-octane films.
8. Comedies spoil all the best jokes in the trailers
When was the last time you genuinely laughed throughout a movie and left the theater feeling uplifted? A common gripe about Hollywood is the lack of quality comedies. Remember the days when Eddie Murphy as a donkey or Chris Tucker as a zebra could keep us laughing non-stop? Nowadays, comedies seem to cram all their funniest moments into the trailers. Take The Watch, for example – it featured an alien and three brilliant comedians, yet the final product was as disappointing as a soggy sandwich.
In truth, comedy films are no different from other genres; we can’t expect every one to be a laugh riot. These movies might have fared better if they hadn’t revealed their best jokes in the trailers. At least then, we’d have enjoyed some genuine laughs in the theater. But it’s a double-edged sword – without those trailer highlights, there’s little incentive to watch the film.
This leads to my main argument: the humor in comedy movies is their sole saving grace. What’s truly missing in modern comedies isn’t the jokes – we’ve already seen the good ones in the trailer – but compelling stories and strong performances. That said, gems like Madagascar or Hangover still emerge occasionally. 2013 brought us Movie 43, a star-studded comedy promising 90 minutes of hilarity. If it flops, at least we’ll know it wasn’t due to a lack of laughs.
7. The 3D is awful!
Since Spy Kids 3D, nearly every film has been released in 3D, with even older movies being re-released in the format. However, 3D rarely enhances the visuals; more often, it results in a chaotic, multi-colored mess. We agree with you – there are far too many 3D movies. But how many do we actually need? The reality is that 3D has become the modern equivalent of “color film” or, for those from the 1930s, the new “talkies.” It’s no longer an optional extra; it’s now a fundamental feature. Today, the quality of 3D is as crucial as the acting or screenplay.
This is why films like Avatar excel with their 3D, while poor movies suffer with bad 3D. When was the last time you thought, “I’d love this movie if it weren’t in 3D – everything else is fantastic!”? Conversely, when did you last say, “The movie was incredible, and the 3D made the effects truly breathtaking”? Okay, you might argue, but that doesn’t justify converting old movies like Finding Nemo or Star Wars I into 3D. Yet, consider the reviews: Finding Nemo 3D was praised for its effects, while Star Wars I 3D was criticized. Which one was a hit originally? Notice a trend?
6. Half of Hollywood’s releases are remakes
Every iconic action film from the 80s and 90s is getting a modern remake, from A-Team to Total Recall, Dredd, and Red Dawn. The issue is that most of these remakes fall flat, tarnishing our nostalgic memories. While it would be refreshing to see a fresh interpretation with updated visuals and a new cast, many of us enter the theater with a negative bias. We assume the remake will disappoint simply because we don’t want anything to surpass the original classic.
Don’t misunderstand us – some remakes are indeed terrible. But have you ever considered that a remake could actually be good? Dredd, for instance, is being unfairly criticized despite being a solid film. The same goes for A-Team. While these movies may not live up to the timeless classics, they’re far from the disasters we often label them as. Next time a remake hits the screen, try approaching it with an open mind – you might be pleasantly surprised.
5. Hollywood only casts thin women
Hollywood often faces backlash for perpetuating the idea that society prefers thin women over those who are overweight. Leading roles are predominantly given to slender actresses, and a similar bias exists for men who aren’t muscular. However, it’s unfair to solely blame Hollywood for this portrayal, as it merely reflects the societal standards we’ve collectively embraced.
It’s unfortunate that modern society often equates attractiveness with being thin – a notion few would dispute. However, Hollywood didn’t create this trend. This ideal has existed since the Victorian era, evident in the popularity of restrictive corsets. It didn’t suddenly emerge with the rise of Hollywood.
But didn’t Hollywood at least perpetuate this idea? Perhaps, but it’s unfair to place all the blame on them. Even without Hollywood, this stereotype would likely persist through other mediums like print or fashion. Blaming Hollywood for this stereotype is akin to blaming children for inheriting their parents’ views.
4. Movies with immense potential often get stuck in “development hell”
Countless films find themselves trapped in “development hell,” a state where studios halt production, distribution, or even sabotage sets to prevent their completion. Many promising projects are abandoned if studios deem them unworthy or prioritize other ventures. While this studio interference is frustrating, it often leads to better films in the long run. For instance, X-Men: First Class narrowly escaped development hell thanks to Bryan Singer’s intervention. While the final product was rushed, it still showcased glimpses of what could have been extraordinary.
Except, we eventually get to see those movies – in the form of sequels. Films like the Total Recall remake also languished in development hell and flopped upon release. However, these were likely doomed from the start, as reboots rarely win over audiences. Many movies are perceived as having great potential simply because they’re stuck in development hell. Take Peter Jackson’s nearly-made Halo movie, for example. It sounds incredible in theory, but then consider his non-Lord of the Rings project, King Kong, and you’ll see the potential for failure. Movies in development hell are unfinished; it’s too early to judge their quality. If they survive and succeed, we’ll get a proper sequel.
3. Creativity is dead in Hollywood
Recall that list of sequels I mentioned earlier? Did you notice how few were based on original ideas? Hollywood seems to have run out of creativity, with every film either adapted from a book, a previous movie, or someone’s life story. Why can’t we get original, yet thoroughly enjoyable movies these days?
The answer is simple: we don’t prioritize them. How many people chose to take their kids to “Hugo” over “Alvin and the Chipmunks 3”? (Three?!) How many of your friends went to see The King’s Speech?
When we hear about a movie adaptation of a beloved book, comic, or video game, we’re more excited to see it brought to life with CGI and A-list stars than we are for original films. That said, it’s fair to demand at least one original movie each year that defies Hollywood norms and captivates us with a fresh, compelling story. We do get a few – in 2009 it was Hangover, in 2010 it was Inception, in 2011 it was Bridesmaids, and so on. This year, Cloud Atlas aimed to deliver exactly that – a film breaking every Hollywood convention, packed with stellar performances and breathtaking visuals. Yet, it faced criticism over “yellow face,” while Wreck-It Ralph dominated the box office. The takeaway? Hollywood isn’t the problem – it’s just doing what it does best: making movies and entertaining. The real issue lies with the critics.
2. Hollywood is far from realistic!
Hollywood loves to convince us that guns never need reloading, archaeologists fight Nazis to recover artifacts, and scientific discoveries happen overnight. Why can’t movies reflect reality?
Because, in truth, reality is often dull – sometimes excruciatingly so. Scientific breakthroughs take years, machine guns require frequent reloading, and archaeologists typically rely on hired labor for excavations. When we watch a movie, we don’t want to see hours of laborers digging while someone supervises. We want to see Harrison Ford snatch treasure from a temple while dodging a giant boulder.
We crave fiction, not facts. This critique is especially relevant for historical films. Whether it’s 10,000 BC or Troy, most movies set in the past are wildly inaccurate. But the issue is deeper – films criticized for historical inaccuracy often fail for other reasons.
Consider historically accurate films like Saving Private Ryan, praised for its realism. It also boasts a stellar cast and a gripping narrative. As an audience, we prioritize compelling acting and storytelling over historical precision – and so does Hollywood.
1. Hollywood ruins great films!
When Disney acquired Lucasfilm and announced Star Wars 7 for 2015, fans immediately voiced concerns. They feared the movie would be mishandled, citing examples like Tron Legacy and X-Men 3, which had potential but fell short. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Dark Knight Rises Effect,” stems from overwhelming hype. The Dark Knight Rises was expected to surpass its predecessor, hailed by many as flawless. When the film released with noticeable plot holes, critics lashed out at Nolan, Warner Bros., and even Batman fans.
In reality, The Dark Knight Rises was a solid film. However, the polarized reactions – ranging from “This Movie Rocks” to “It’s Terrible” – drowned out any balanced critique. The film couldn’t meet the sky-high expectations set by its predecessor. This is the inevitable outcome when a movie tries to outshine a masterpiece. Audiences expect perfection because they desire it, and when the film falls short, they feel let down.
