There are some movies that rub people the wrong way, and even though they’re not actually that bad, they were still subjected to far too much hate. It’s interesting to see how opinions change over time, and movies that were once total failures at the box office steadily grow a following and becomereappraised as cult classics. Other films never get that kind of renewed appreciation from mainstream audiences, yet plenty of viewers quietly believe that the movie was not as bad as everyone seems to think it was.
It’s enjoyable to revisit and giveunderrated moviesa second look, seeing if they truly deserve the hate they’ve received over the years. Films frommajor directorslike Tim Burton, David Fincher, and even the late David Lynch have been the victim of major backlash from audiences, yet the argument can be made that none of those films deserved quite so much hate. Whilea lot of these movies may have frustrated and annoyed countless film lovers, it shouldn’t be controversial to say that even if they weren’t the best, they still don’t deserve to be so maligned.
8The Island (2005)
Directed by Michael Bay
Michael Bay gets a lot of hate for his over-the-top, often substanceless action movies, and when it comes to franchises likeTransformers, I understand where viewers are coming from. However, Bay’s 2005 dystopian sci-fi storyThe Islandshould not be lumped in among the filmmaker’s worst projectsand actually stands as a clever pastiche of escape-from-dystopia sci-fi of bygone eras likeLogan’s Run. With a clever premise addressing themes of cloning, identity, and ethics, although the movie borrowed heavily from other media, there was still something engaging about this sci-fi spectacle.
With some great performances from Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson,The Islandhad a strong storyline with a powerful message about the dangers of playing God. While most criticisms about Bay relate to his tendency to value style over substance, withThe Island, he was genuinely trying to make a point, and it feels wrong to hate on one of the few movies that showcase he’s interested in more than just explosions and action set pieces. AlthoughThe Islandripped off much better films, I still think it gets more hate than it deserves.
7Waterworld (1995)
Directed by Kevin Reynolds
As the most expensive movie of all time back in 1995, the notorious box office flopWaterworldstood as a Hollywood cautionary tale on the danger of letting a movie production get out of control. With plenty of behind-the-scenes chaos, setbacks, and a rapidly ballooning budget, Universal had only authorized $100 million for the film, which eventually grew to $175 million (viaLA Times.) WhileWaterworld’sreputation as a devastating financial flop has overtaken much of the conversation of this film, when viewed away from those controversies, what’s revealed is an interesting post-apocalyptic story that took some real creative chances.
Waterworldreceived some pretty poor reviews at the time and was often called a second-rate rip-off ofMad Max 2, a comparison that fails to recognize the movie’s unique charm. As a quiet cult classic with some great performances from Kevin Costner and Dennis Hopper, its interesting worldbuilding and futuristic setting looked great. The truth is thatWaterworldis a flawed movie, but looking back, it’s highly watchable and filled with some truly great sequences.
6Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (2005)
Directed by Tim Burton
Tim Burton was always going to get hate when he opted to make a new adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved kids' story, as the previous version,Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,stood as an undisputed children’s classic. WithJohnny Depp taking up Gene Wilder’s iconic role as Willy Wonka, his strange characterization was dismissed by many as being too creepy, too weird, and too off-putting. However, Depp’s unusual performance and the strange Burton-esque feeling of the film were what setCharlie and the Chocolate Factoryapart and gave it a unique sense of identity.
While I understand that the 1970s version remains the definitive adaptation of Dahl’s book, the trauma-coded portrayal of Depp’s Wonka added unnerving undertones to the film, aligning it more closely with Burton’s sensibilities.Charlie and the Chocolate Factoryalso just looks great, and it’s impossible not to be won over by its impressive set design and the creative depiction of Wonka’s magical factory. AlthoughCharlie and the Chocolate Factoryremains divisive, I’m glad that it exists and acts as an interesting alternative toWilly Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
5Alien 3 (1992)
Directed by David Fincher
With Ridley Scott’s originalAlienmovie standing as a horror sci-fi classic and James Cameron’s follow-upAliensearning a reputation as one of the greatest sequels of all time, David Fincher had a lot to live up to withAlien 3. Unfortunately, the futureFight Clubdirector couldn’t meet these sky-high expectations, and a troubled production history and studio interference meant the released movie did not align with his artistic vision. Instead,Alien 3underperformed at the box office, and many felt it tarnished the franchise’s then-perfect reputation.
However, looking back onAlien 3today, it’s surprising just how much about the film works and that its creative risk-taking actually brought up fascinating questions relating to the series' mythology. With Ellen Ripley having crash-landed on a prison planet populated by violent criminals, this unique setting alone was enough to make the movie stand out. WhileAlien 3has gotten a lot of hate over the years, most will agree that the 2003 extended and revised version of the film, known as theAssembly Cut, did a lot to restore the film’s reputation.
4Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Directed by Sam Raimi
As the final installment in Sam Raimi’sSpider-Mantrilogy,Spider-Man 3felt like a disappointment back in 2007, as it lacked the surprising excitement of the first installment, and its villains were forgettable when compared to the Green Goblin or Doctor Octopus. Instead,we got emo Peter Parker and a haphazard depiction of Topher Grace as Venom. With these issues in mind, it makes sense thatSpider-Man 3got a lot of hate, but time has been kind to Raimi’s series.
Looking back onSpider-Man 3today, it maintained the campy quality of Raimi’s best work and felt a lot more fun and interesting than many of the most recent MCU movies. As time has gone on, viewers have also grown a sentimental sense of nostalgia for Tobey Maguire’s performance, and the memeable nature of this third film has only added to its appeal.
3The Cable Guy (1996)
Directed by Ben Stiller
The Cable Guyreceived a lot of hate when it was released in 1996, as viewers were presented with a far darker version of Jim Carrey’s wacky persona than they were accustomed to. As a black comedy that was closer to a genuine horror movie than anything anyone had previously seen from the man who played Ace Ventura, this satirical story about a stalker cable guy who infiltrates the life of one of his customers received mixed reviews from critics who did not know quite what to make of Carrey’s unnerving and sinister performance.
WhileThe Cable Guywas not what people were expecting from Carrey after the triple whammy success ofAce Ventura,The Mask, andDumb and Dumber, it was actually the first glimpse at the actor’s more dramatic side. This dark, layered performance style would continue throughout the 1990s withMan on the MoonandThe Truman Showbefore Carrey gave arguably his greatest dramatic performance of all inEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mindin 2004. While audiences might not have realized it at the time,The Cable Guywas our first look at Carrey’s more serious side.
2Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Directed by Rian Johnson
In the history ofStar Wars,there’s no movie more divisive than Rian Johnson’sThe Last Jedi, a release that challenged the legacy of the franchise and took beloved characters in controversial directions. WithLuke Skywalker portrayed as a disillusioned hermit, many were disappointed he was not depicted as the triumphant hero they remember, Princess Leia being woefully underused and left floating in space, and Han Solo nowhere to be seen after his shocking death inThe Force Awakens. All these issues frustrated fans, although there was a lot to love about the film that rarely gets recognized.
While many continue to hate onThe Last Jedi, I prefer to focus on what it got right, and I think it was a bold move to shake things up and not simply retread narrative themes and ideas from the original trilogy.The Last Jeditook Luke’s character in an interesting direction, Kylo Ren was a top-tier villain, and it opened the door for endless possibilities moving forward. Sadly, Disney and Lucasfilm panicked at the backlash, andThe Rise of Skywalkerjust felt like a mishandled attempt to please everyone.
1Dune (1984)
Directed by David Lynch
The pairing of surreal and dreamlike auteur director David Lynch with the rich world-building and thematic resonance of Frank Herbert’sDunefeels like a match made in heaven, although studio interference meant the final product did not reflect Lynch’s vision, and he even asked for his name to be removed from the credits. With these issues in mind, it’s not surprising thatDuneflopped at the box office, was hugely divisive among viewers, and meant that Lynch never made a major blockbuster again and ensured he had the final cut on every subsequent project he worked on.
There were admittedly plenty of issues withDune, although it’s also a visually stunning film that is packed with Lynch’s unique sensibilities, features great performances from Kyle MacLachlan and Sting, and captures the otherworldly atmosphere of Herbert’s world. WhileDunewas considered a notorious failure, now that we’ve got the critically lauded Denis Villeneuve adaptations, it’s possible to look back on the film with kinder eyes.
