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RT's Summer in Review: The Best, The Worst, and Our Favorite Films!
by RT Staff
Discuss Article
Page | 1 2 3 4 5

The 10 Worst Tomatometers of the Summer




more info...

10. Meet Dave
Tomatometer: 20%

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Critics and audiences alike have been mourning the apparent passing of classic Eddie Murphy for several years now, citing the likes of The Adventures of Pluto Nash and Norbit as examples of the dismal turns his career has taken. Unfortunately, Meet Dave isn't the movie that's going to change that trend. Settling in at 20 percent on the Tomatometer, it sadly doesn't qualify as the lowest-rated film in Murphy's career, but most assert that the clever premise (devised by a Mystery Science Theater 3000 alumnus, Bill Corbett) gets bogged down by stale writing and sitcom-level humor. Meet Dave has its handful of moments, but they just weren't enough to propel the movie out of our worst-reviewed list.




more info...

9. Clone Wars
Tomatometer: 20%

Intended to be an introduction to the TV series of the same name that will debut later this year, The Clone Wars might just have been the least anticipated "Star Wars film" ever released. After disappointing many a fan with the prequel trilogy, George Lucas came right back with this animated feature and failed to rally anyone but his most faithful of followers. To be fair, the movie does suffer from the fact that it was originally supposed to air as the first three episodes of the TV show, and as far as animation goes, The Clone Wars looks great for television but subpar for the big screen. Many critics seem to agree that it will do much better when it transitions to its half-hour episodes, but for now, the feature film debut sits at 20 percent on the Tomatometer, making it #7 in our list.




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8. The Happening
Tomatometer: 19%

We were already becoming a little skeptical of M. Night Shyamalan after The Village underperformed and Lady in the Water downright flopped, but even as audiences grew disillusioned about the suspense director, few could have expected the depths to which he would fall with his latest, The Happening. The trailers were intriguing, especially considering this was Shyamalan's first R-rated feature, but the overall premise of the film was kept secret fairly effectively, and with a couple of hits under Shyamalan's belt, the hope was that this would be a return to form. Unfortunately, while it offered some of his trademark chills, Happening mostly fell flat, due to a poorly crafted script, some wooden acting, and what some ultimately deemed to be a silly premise. If this downward trend continues, Shyamalan may earn himself the title of "one-trick pony."




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7. Mirrors
Tomatometer: 16%

Asian horror remakes are a dime a dozen in Hollywood these days, but that doesn't stop enterprising directors and studios from consistently making them happen. Mirrors, originally a Korean film, is the latest of the appropriated imports, but with a respectable cast (Kiefer Sutherland, Amy Smart, Paula Patton) and an experienced horror director (Alexandre Aja -- High Tension, The Hills Have Eyes) at the helm, it wouldn't have been unreasonable to expect a halfway decent frightfest. Unfortunately, the movie was dull, with few scares and an overly convoluted plot, thus earning it a 16 percent on the Tomatometer and a #6 spot on our Worst Reviewed list.




more info...

6. The Love Guru
Tomatometer: 14%

After doing mostly voice work as Shrek and appearing in a few film cameos, Mike Myers came back in The Love Guru with his first starring vehicle since The Cat in the Hat in '03. Unfortunately, critics weren't feeling the Love in his latest feature, complaining that the character didn't work, that the writing was lazy, and that the jokes were juvenile and, even worse, simply not funny. All things considered, The Love Guru still performed better overall than the aforementioned Cat in the Hat, earning a 14 percent Tomatometer score to Cat's 12 percent, but it was enough to place it as the fifth worst-reviewed film of the summer.




more info...

5. College
Tomatometer: 14%

Last summer's Superbad was such a breakout hit, MGM decided to remake it for this summer season...only by "remake" we mean cop a poor imitation of that flick and just about every other college-set comedy ever made. Teen idol Drake Bell (of Nickelodeon's Drake and Josh fame), whose attempt at crossing over into "mature" roles began with this year's inane Superhero Movie, dug himself even deeper into Rotten territory in College, which opened last week, the dumping ground of the summer season. Gross-out humor in the vein of Porky's failed to impress critics, who found the teen buddy comedy to be overly vulgar, homophobic, and sexist -- all of which might have been more acceptable if it were only funny.




more info...

4. Made of Honor
Tomatometer: 12%


After achieving big-screen success with 2007's widely acclaimed Enchanted, Patrick Dempsey tried again to bank on his "McDreamy" persona in Made of Honor. Unfortunately, the movie felt just a little too familiar (My Best Friend's Wedding, anyone?) to most of its viewers, and with nothing particularly unique or interesting to set it apart from its recycled plot, stale humor, and romantic comedy clichés, Made of Honor found its way to our worst-reviewed list for the summer. Scoring a dismal 12 percent on the Tomatometer and prompting such criticisms as "cookie-cutter" and "stew of mediocrity," the movie is notable for, if nothing else, being the final film appearance of the late Sydney Pollack.




more info...

3. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Tomatometer: 11%

Seven years after its first sequel was released, the Mummy franchise returned this year with its third installment. While neither of the first two movies could be considered critical darlings themselves, Dragon Emperor brought the series to a new low, earning a paltry 11 percent on the Tomatometer, compared to 54 percent and 47 percent for its predecessors. Many cited the formulaic, poorly written script and the heavy use of CGI as reasons why Dragon Emperor ultimately fell flat. It's difficult to go wrong when you've got Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, dragons, and abominable snowmen, but Tomb of the Dragon Emperor somehow managed to secure one of the lowest Tomatometers of any movie this summer.




more info...

2. Babylon A.D.
Tomatometer: 4%

You know you're in for a bumpy ride when a director publicly denounces his own film, as Babylon A.D. helmer Mathieu Kassovitz did a week before its release. Once the world took a gander at the sci-fi actioner, it seemed to agree wholeheartedly. With unintentionally cheesy dialogue, poorly staged set pieces, and a silly, muddled plot, the Vin Diesel vehicle played exactly as many people expected -- which might be good enough for Diesel fans, but certainly not for critics. Just how bad is Babylon A.D.? Were it not for two lone positive reviews -- U.K. critics James Christopher of The Times and Xan Brooks of The Guardian -- the flick would be looking at double zeroes on the Tomatometer.




more info...

1. Disaster Movie
Tomatometer: 0%

Speaking of zero percent Tomatometers...we've got Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, quite possibly the most reviled cinematic duo since Hitler and Riefenstahl. (Though Triumph of the Will would probably be Certified Fresh given enough reviews.) Friedberg's and Seltzer's long-standing assault on spoof comedy (and cinema, in general) appears to be hitting its stride with Disaster Movie, a film so hastily thrown together that it spoofs trailers, which currently holds a zero percent Tomatometer. This year has been rife with the goose eggs (Witless Protection, Deal, Strange Wilderness, One Missed Call), but this Tomatometer is especially important for Friedberg and Seltzer: after getting single-digit percentages on their previous movies, they've finally hit the coveted rock-bottom. Enjoy, guys, you've earned it.



Next: The Best and Worst Box Office Earners of the Summer
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Comments (1-20 of 78 posts) | Reply
Detrs
Detrs writes:
on Sep 02 2008 12:31 PM

I have nothing but contempt for Babylon AD. I mean, of all the science-fiction (I'm not getting into the sf vs. sci-fi debate here) books to adapt, it's that one? Really?

Now that this has failed, as we knew it would, studios will proclaim that it's because audiences don't want to see science-fiction films.


(Reply to this)
jokerboy1991
jokerboy1991 writes:
on Sep 02 2008 12:49 PM

My list would be
1-The Dark Knight
2-Vicky Cristina Barcelona
3-Iron Man
4-Tropic Thunder
5-Hellboy 2
6-Wanted
7-Pineapple Express
8-Kung Fu Panda
9-Speed Racer
10-Indiana Jones

Haven't see WALL-E yet, wish I did though... I would definitely say that THE MUMMY 3 was the worst of the summer, man it was so bad!
10-


(Reply to this)
jokerboy1991
jokerboy1991 writes:
on Sep 02 2008 12:51 PM

Biggest disappoints I would say were INDY, even though I liked it I just thought if your going to be bring Indy back then he should come back to us in greatness. Also X files, great tv show turned into a mediocre movie.

(Reply to this)
arendr
arendr writes:
on Sep 02 2008 12:59 PM

The studio breakdown is interesting. Fox really did get owned.

However, I'd like to see that list include the budget for each movie. That would really show who did well and who didn't.


(Reply to this)
MassEffect452
MassEffect452 writes:
on Sep 02 2008 01:00 PM

In reply to this comment (#2014505)
I agree, the x-files was a sad attempt to such a great show. TDK and Iron Man are one hell of a 1-2 punch for the comic book world. Let's hope the future comic book movies take note and try to impress as well!

(Reply to this)
enjaysim
enjaysim writes:
on Sep 02 2008 01:01 PM

I'm so sorry but I have an irrational dislike for Pixar movies. I liked the first 25 minutes of Wall-E. The short film before it was imaginative but once it got to that spaceship and introduced the humans, it just got uninteresting. They should've stuck with the robots. Even saying that I just feel there's something a little bit too polished/clinical about the Pixar movies. I know they have to be 'cause they can't afford re-takes(!) but I find them a bit tiresome. I've hang-ups about the Dark Knight but cannot make an argument against its success as a piece of absolutely absorbing cinema. I knew it would be that at least but I've met a lot of people who find it difficult to say whether they actually liked the film or not. It's a curious phenomenon. Indy was sadly a bit dissapointing. I'd have been happy with a knockabout romp built on audience's affections for Mr.Ford but it just didn't hit the spot. Can't wait for the next one though!

(Reply to this)
jokerboy1991
jokerboy1991 writes:
on Sep 02 2008 01:07 PM

Also I think next summer is going to be way better, I mean I think we only had 2 great movies, next summer I think we will have more then 2. There's Star Trek, T4, Public Enemies, and I think that WATCHMEN is going to be pushed back to summer DAMN FOX!

(Reply to this)
neverwakingworld
neverwakingworld writes:
on Sep 02 2008 01:43 PM

Speed Racer deserves more respect than it got

(Reply to this)
rh1252
rh1252 writes:
on Sep 02 2008 01:46 PM

This is a really good article, but it has a few errors.

First off, The Happening should be in the Top 10 Worst Tomatometers list, with only an 18% fresh rating!

Also, you said that Sex & the City was the only film in the top 10 with an overall rotten rating...but what about Hancock at 38%? It stands out as the big "did great but wasnt that great" movie of the summer.


(Reply to this)
CaptainSiberia
CaptainSiberia writes:
on Sep 02 2008 01:52 PM

Space Chimps totally deserved to flop just for being such a piece of product! "Let's give them something we've given them before. Throw a bunch of money into the animation, hire some famous actors to do the voices, and who needs an inspired script? They'll come to see it just because they come to see other cgi animated films that aren't just for kids!" No, they won't.

Speed Racer another deserving loser, for its visual incoherence and its unbalanced mix of heavy plot elements with light characters in a light world. I look at films like these, and I just really feel like I could have done it better. I just see such clear missteps, and I think that if I had been there, I would have caught them and said, "No, don't do that. Do it this way instead."

Boy, I wish there were more Tony Wilsons in the world.

Holy ****! Hancock did that much business? It beat Wall-E? How'd that happen? I mean, Ebert liked it. But I never realized so many people went to see that movie!


(Reply to this)
JettaJameson
JettaJameson writes:
on Sep 02 2008 02:05 PM

In reply to this comment (#2014507)
Haha, yeah, FOX sucks. Now it's not just their news station.

However, I thought What Happens In Vegas was HILARIOUS.

"YOU KNOW WHY!!!"

Haha!

Congrats to Paramount and Warner Brothers. They deserve the success. Here's hoping this creates a HUGE turnaround in Hollywood. If you take your time with movies and cultivate them, rather then throw them together real quick, audiences will turn out in droves over and over again.


(Reply to this)
CaptainSiberia
CaptainSiberia writes:
on Sep 02 2008 02:06 PM

Oh, I have to go off on a little rant about Ashton Kutcher. Ashton Kutcher is Kelso from That 70s Show and /only/ Kelso from That 70s Show. If he ever wants anyone to see him as anything else, he had better develop a whole lot more range /fast/.

(Reply to this)
JettaJameson
JettaJameson writes:
on Sep 02 2008 02:08 PM

In reply to this comment (#2014514)
Don't forget about Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I predict it'll be the #1 movie of 2009.

(Reply to this)
CaptainSiberia
CaptainSiberia writes:
on Sep 02 2008 02:10 PM

In reply to this comment (#2014582)
Not if it sucks like the last movie.

(Reply to this)
arendr
arendr writes:
on Sep 02 2008 02:11 PM

In reply to this comment (#2014590)
The last one was far better than 1, 2, and 4.

(Reply to this)
jokerboy1991
jokerboy1991 writes:
on Sep 02 2008 02:12 PM

In reply to this comment (#2014582)
Oh yeah, I forgot they postponed it...thanks for bringing it up.

(Reply to this)
tidussquall10x
tidussquall10x writes:
on Sep 02 2008 02:37 PM

In reply to this comment (#2014503)
Wow since you haven't seen Wall-E yet I highly recommend it.
Your list will change a bit


(Reply to this)
dethburger
dethburger writes:
on Sep 02 2008 03:22 PM

This is based solely on films I've seen...

Best: Space Chimps
Runner Up: TDK
2nd RU: Wall-E

Worst: Wanted
Runner Up: Speed Racer


(Reply to this)
Jen Yamato
Jen Yamato writes:
on Sep 02 2008 03:37 PM

rh1252, I'd like to thank you for pointing those items out. It turns out there was a bug in our initial database query, which we've now resolved with an update that should take effect immediately. As you'll see, not only does The Happening enter the Bottom 10 of the summer, but it's joined by Made of Honor. X Files and Space Chimps are now in the clear. (Where's tomwaitsjr.?)

Thanks for the catch!


(Reply to this)
bondfreak
bondfreak writes:
on Sep 02 2008 04:06 PM

I must say i was surprised by how many at least decent movies i say over the summer. I mustve seen a movie like every week since may 2nd with iron man. The Dark Knight was the most engrossing film, Pineapple express and tropic thunder tie for most fun, best special effects? Well even though Hellboy II wasnt so great id give it to them. Best Actor? Id say Robert Downey Jr. for Iron Man. Best Supporting Actor? Heath Ledger for the Joker, and Robert Downey Jr. in second for his ingenious performance in Tropic Thunder. Best Director? Chris Nolan kind of a given, Jon Favareau for Iron Man in second and Guillermo del Toro for hellbo 2 in third. Best Actress? Hmmm come to think of it, there rly arent many leading ladies to consider this summer its been all guys lol, maybe Maggie Gylennhaal for The Dark Knight but thats cause theres like no one else. Best Supporting Actress? Who knows :p. Best Picture? The Dark Knight in first, Iron Man in second and Express and Thunder tie for third. These are juss summer opinion not all of these will win oscars of course, its juss the most entertaining stuff from May 2nd - Aug. 29th weekends. Cheers fellow movielovers


(Reply to this)
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