TLDR;
This video discusses the decline in credibility of Rotten Tomatoes, highlighting the disparity between critic and audience scores. It scrutinizes the site’s evolution from a respected review aggregator to one criticized for perceived biases, especially regarding political agendas in film.
- Examination of the drastic differences in scores for films like "Cuties" and Dave Chappelle's specials.
- Discussion of the site's unique rating system and its growing issues since 2017.
- Criticism from notable filmmakers like Martin Scorsese regarding the simplistic rating approach.
- Changes in Rotten Tomatoes’ demographics of critics and its impact on scores.
- The influence of ownership by Warner Bros and the effects on ratings and credibility.
The Rise and Fall of Rotten Tomatoes [0:00]
The video begins with the controversy surrounding the film "Cuties," which received an 86% rating from Rotten Tomatoes yet garnered only a 15% audience score. In contrast, Dave Chappelle's work scored 0% with critics but 99% with the audience. This highlights a growing rift between critic and audience perceptions, questioning the reliability of Rotten Tomatoes.
Understanding Rotten Tomatoes’ Scoring System [0:50]
The video explains Rotten Tomatoes' unique rating system, where films with over 60% positive reviews receive a "fresh" rating, while those below receive a "rotten" label. A film can achieve a "certified fresh" status if it meets specific criteria, including positive reviews from top critics. While this system aims to provide insight into film quality, it has faced criticism due to its simplistic nature.
The Impact of 2017's Box Office Results [1:40]
In 2017, many blockbuster films were flops, correlating with poor Rotten Tomatoes scores, which led to a spike in the site's traffic. Film executives linked the site's influence to declining box office revenues, as audiences became hesitant to watch movies with bad scores, leading to a backlash against the site.
Scorsese’s Critique of Rotten Tomatoes [2:55]
Martin Scorsese publicly criticized Rotten Tomatoes for reducing filmmaking to binary judgments, which he felt overlooked nuanced critical analysis. He expressed concern that films that challenge conventional evaluation could be unfairly rated, leading to misconceptions about their quality.
Cultural Shifts and Criticism of Critics [3:50]
A 2017 study revealed that a vast majority of Rotten Tomatoes critics were white males, prompting backlash regarding representational diversity. In response, Rotten Tomatoes aimed to diversify its critic pool, leading to a deterioration in the site's reliability as scores began to diverge significantly from audience opinions.
The Growing Divide Between Critics and Audiences [5:00]
The video highlights the increasing dissonance between critic and audience scores, exemplified by films like "The Last Jedi" and "Captain Marvel," where critics praised these films while audiences largely rejected them. This trend raised suspicions about potential biases within Rotten Tomatoes’ rating practices.
Ownership Influence and Political Agendas [6:55]
After its acquisition by Warner Bros and Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes saw a shift in its scoring tendencies, favoring films that align with specific political narratives. The video theorizes that this influence contributed to inflated ratings for politically charged content, further eroding the platform's credibility.
The Future of Rotten Tomatoes [9:10]
The video concludes with the assertion that Rotten Tomatoes' credibility is waning due to increasing manipulation of scores and political bias. The disconnect between critic and audience scores continues to cultivate distrust, raising questions about the platform's integrity and future relevance in film criticism.
