Vishnu Warrier
Hate is a very strong word and it’s not something I’d often using when it comes to discussing cinema. There are few films that I hate with passion and they’ve all got reasons for it. One needs to have strong reasons to hate a film. it could be the technical aspects, the intention behind the film, writing issues and so on. Excessive sentimentalism is another thing that often irks most viewers and there have been many films that are mercilessly trashed for being kitschy and melodramatic. So with everything said now, let’s take a look at the list of most hated films ever made. What movies do you hate the most.
15. The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
Certainly not among the worst films ever made but ‘Revolutions’ just did not hold up to its prequels. ‘The Matrix’ revolutionized sci-fis in Hollywood and its sequel, while certainly not as clinical as its original, still managed to hold up on some level but ‘Revolutions’ took a massive step down. Even the most staunch fans of the series trashed the film for being extremely weak on story and lacking the punch its prequels so effortlessly managed to deliver. It had numerous plot-holes and the closure wasn’t as convincing as we’d have liked it to be and so there’s no wonder why it didn’t go well with audiences.
14. Crash (2004)
Widely hated for its infamous Oscar triumph over the much deserved romantic classic ‘Brokeback Mountain’, ‘Crash’ has been trashed by cinephiles for being excessively preachy and emotionally shallow. The idea of telling interconnected stories that revolve around the themes of racism and human tragedy seems great on paper but on-screen it certainly comes off as heavy-handed and terribly melodramatic. Sure, it has good intentions but themes of human loss and racism could have been handled in a lot more sensitive and thoughtful manner.
13. The Intouchables (2011)
This French buddy comedy-drama depicts the relationships between a disabled Frenchman and his caretaker. So, what really went wrong with the film? The way the film tackled complex themes such as racial barriers and its portrayal of the relationship between the felt far too simplistic and childish for many to take it seriously. And needless to say, the melodrama irked a lot of people. I personally think it’s a heartwarming film and whilst it fails as a serious exploration of racial/cultural differences, it definitely works decently as a well made, light-hearted buddy flick.
12. Forrest Gump (1994)
“What? How could someone hate Gump!” I bet that’s what you all must be thinking right now. But yes, let that sink in. ‘Forrest Gump’ is one of the most hated movies of all time. The film’s depiction of a simple pure hearted man annoyed many cinephiles and it was trashed by some as blatant, inexcusable emotional manipulation with many even labeling it as a piece of conservative propaganda. While I wholeheartedly love this film for its inherent charm and silliness, the criticisms against it are valid and backed by strong reasons. It’s amazing how such an endearing film could be so divisive.
11. The Godfather: Part III (1990)
‘The Godfather: Part III’ could well make a strong case for being one of the worst sequels ever made. And funnily enough, this is not because it’s a terrible film as a standalone but because it isn’t anywhere near breathing distance of its iconic predecessors. Some people have defended the film but the hate continues to pour in and rightly so. In my opinion, it does not make sense for a film that’s part of a trilogy to be judged as a standalone. The comparisons are inevitable and considering how masterful the first two films were, one can’t help but think that the third installment is nothing but an insult to two of the greatest films ever made.
10. Titanic (1997)
‘Titanic’ is a film that would forever remain close our hearts. Nostalgia becomes a huge factor while judging it but it’s a film that I’ve grown to accept and love with all its flaws. However, a huge chunk of cinephiles consider it to be trash and a laughable exercise in melodrama. It’s hard to disagree with some points though. The writing was downright laughable as the characters came off as one dimensional and don’t develop well enough throughout the film which certainly is a big issue for a romantic drama. But it’s sad that most people overlooked the technicalities, ambition and the gorgeous score of the film.
9. Scarface (1983)
I honestly don’t get this whole “Oh, it was meant to be over-the-top and cheesy” thing that people use to defend ‘Scarface’. In my opinion, if a film is made with the intention of being over-the-top and ridiculous, then it becomes exactly that and it’s not an admirable thing to do. ‘Scarface’ is probably the biggest excuse for acting I’ve ever seen’. In Tony Montana, we lost one of the truly great film actors of all time. Pacino would later go on to play different versions of Montana for the rest of his career. And it’s sad to witness the downfall of such a great actor. ‘Scarface’ was the beginning of his downfall as an actor. But many people found this to be wildly entertaining and hilarious and even consider Pacino’s performance to be among his best. Well…
8. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
George Lucas’ epic space opera franchise altered the landscapes of blockbuster filmmaking in Hollywood. And so understandably, the first installment in the prequel trilogy, made after almost 16 years since the final installment in the original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy, created massive hype all around and fans were all pumped again. But sadly, this wasn’t the cinematic miracle they expected it to be. The visuals were expectedly great and the action was sequences were enthralling and entertaining but Lucas’ writing was terribly exposed here. The story was such a bloated mess and the characterizations felt way too shallow for the film to be taken seriously and this infuriated both critics and viewers to no end. This was the beginning of the series’ epic downfall.
7. Life is Beautiful (1997)
Another case of a film being trashed for blatantly exploiting the sentiments of its viewers. This time it was worse because something as serious and sensitive such as the Holocaust was involved. I personally think ‘Life is Beautiful’ is film made with pure intentions and loved the charm and innocence it exuded. But most people hated Roberto Benigni for exploring the terrifying effects of Holocaust in such a simple, comic way and despite its famous Oscar win in 1998, it continues to be one of the most hated movies of all time.
6. Avatar (2009)
Like most other James Cameron films, ‘Avatar’ is a film known for its dazzling technicalities. It’s a fun ride if you are not looking to read much into the story or content but it’s obvious that it won’t go well with many viewers and ardent film fanatics. Many dismissed the film for its lack of a well toned storyline and rightly so. There was nothing in the film that provided space for emotional investment and while it certainly is a fun flick to watch at the cinema, there’s nothing apart from entertainment that you could take home.
5. Suicide Squad (2016)
‘Suicide Squad’ could be viewed as an example or a model on what not to do in a film. It’s an absolute cinematic travesty. The editing is awful and the writing downright laughable. Perhaps the reason why it garnered so much hate is because of the kind of hype it managed to create prior to the release. People were dying to see Jared Leto don the role of the Joker, a character immortalized by the late Heath Ledger in the iconic ‘Dark Knight’. It’s sad when a film with such great ideas, amazing cast that managed to create such massive hype and then ends up being a complete disappointment.
4. Jaws: The Revenge (1987)
Steven Spielberg laid the foundations for the summer blockbuster culture with his iconic survival drama, ‘Jaws’, which could well be regarded as a masterclass in filmmaking. However, none of its sequels proved worthy of its original but the fourth installment is unarguably the worst of the franchise. The idea of a shark seeking revenge on a family was never going to go well with audiences and so understandably, the film was vehemently trashed by critics and viewers. The film is now considered to be among the worst sequels ever made in cinema history.
3. Batman & Robin (1997)
Rated as one of the worst films ever made, ‘Batman & Robin’ was a debacle that Joel Schumacher and Warer Bros. would love to erase from their memories. The main idea here was to make the film as family friendly as possible but the result was disappointing. The film was replete with great visuals but the atrocious writing and overall silly approach wrecked the film and there are absolutely no redeeming qualities to it on repeat viewings. George Clooney himself openly criticized the film as he dismissed it as a “waste of money.”
2. Jack and Jill (2011)
The word hate and Adam Sandler are so often mentioned in the same line and so it would have raised a few eyebrows had this list missed out on a Sandler flick. Starring The film tells the story of Jack Sadelstein who prepares for his sister’s annual Thanksgiving visit. He has to deal with her for longer as Al Pacino (Yes, you heard that right), whom he needs for an ad, gets attracted to her. What this film does is make a mockery of itself and Sandler is at the helm of all the film’s most cringeworthy moments. Critics have frequently rated it as one of the worst films ever made.
1. Transformers (2007)
Arguably the most hated film of all time, Michael Bay’s gargantuan robot flick, for me, easily falls under the so-bad-that-it’s-good category. What irked most people about ‘Transformers’ is its inherent dumbness. Not for a moment does it seem to take itself seriously and that’s not something that would please everyone. However, it works surprisingly well if you’re willing to leave logic at the door and plan on to have a blast. It’s dumb, silly, naive but certainly a lot of fun and if that’s what Mr. Bay intended with this film then he surely did succeed.
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