tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post7596870721191841503..comments2024-03-26T22:42:06.412-07:00Comments on TAG Blog: The Mid-Month DerbySteve Huletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05537689111433326847noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-83793323780065084192009-11-24T22:28:48.695-08:002009-11-24T22:28:48.695-08:00I completely agree. But I cant honestly believe A...I completely agree. But I cant honestly believe Astro Boy's critics will have that kind of change of heart in 50 years...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-64332207598783823112009-11-24T18:13:20.410-08:002009-11-24T18:13:20.410-08:00I was referring to the critical reaction when &quo...I was referring to the critical reaction when "Fantasia" first premiered. It's amazing what time and a little perspective will do to public perception of any given work of art. That's the irony of believing that critical appreciation indicates the true quality of a film. It's silly to use it as any kind of guide IMO.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-546686698369654962009-11-22T18:14:56.578-08:002009-11-22T18:14:56.578-08:00I know Im going to get murdered for pointing this ...I know Im going to get murdered for pointing this out, but I cant resist:<br /><br />Fantasia has a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.<br /><br />*laughs evilly to myself*Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-31356856000173061002009-11-22T13:17:57.448-08:002009-11-22T13:17:57.448-08:00If you actually saw it, and that's your opinio...If you actually saw it, and that's your opinion, fine. But you might bear in mind that Walt Disney's "Fantasia" was both a dud with critics AND at the box office. Which of COURSE means it's crap, right?<br /><br /><br />Or maybe it was just overlooked and under-appreciated?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-8174730252763319142009-11-21T13:35:43.391-08:002009-11-21T13:35:43.391-08:00Um, I have worked on LOTS of animated films that h...Um, I have worked on LOTS of animated films that have received poor critical response. Big deal. Ive worked on stinkers AND huge box office and critical successes.<br /><br />But cry all you want, Astro Boy was just okay, not fabulous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-41698799283123397732009-11-21T13:08:35.576-08:002009-11-21T13:08:35.576-08:00But whatever will you do if a consensus of critics...But whatever will you do if a consensus of critics don't like an animated film you worked on? Of if you take part in something you know is good but is overlooked by the public thanks to bad scheduling and faulty publicity?<br /><br />Quit your job? Join a monastery? Become a film critic?<br /><br />BTW, last week at the Animation Asia Conference, the head of Imagi Studios gave a presentation concerning Astro Boy's rough ride at the box office. While it tanked in the U.S. and Japan, it did very well in China (it has yet to be fully released worldwide). He gave various reasons why the movie had its difficulties, with media and everything (gotta love his honesty). His reasons for the U.S. failure involved timing of the film's release, Americans' general lack of awareness of Astro Boy and the fact that the trailers made the movie look too "kiddie". Well, what do you know? I believe I mentioned a few of those reasons in earlier posts. Regarding Japan's reception of the movie, it was found that many Japanese didn't like the idea of Astro getting updated and Americanized (even though the character's been dormant for like 20 years and Japanese in general like American films. They're just a very traditional crowd when it comes to their own culture). China, on the other hand, is a huge consumer of anime and the film's done very well there. Hopefully the rest of the world will catch on too. As I've said and will continue to say (because I'm right!) the movie deserves more love than it got.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-51484374405855783902009-11-21T08:21:48.179-08:002009-11-21T08:21:48.179-08:00Thus, the term "consensus" as mentioned ...Thus, the term "consensus" as mentioned before. You clearly dont know the meaning of the word.<br /><br />Dont feel sorry for me. I make a lot of money making cartoons and am extremely happy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-39283394222744102332009-11-20T23:05:36.611-08:002009-11-20T23:05:36.611-08:00Right. Whereas movie critics all have GOOD taste, ...Right. Whereas movie critics all have GOOD taste, by your way of thinking.<br /><br />Boy, do I feel sorry for you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-17497833355623830002009-11-20T09:50:52.586-08:002009-11-20T09:50:52.586-08:00Or, you might just have bad taste.Or, you might just have bad taste.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-49208993359352882402009-11-20T08:00:50.242-08:002009-11-20T08:00:50.242-08:00I might think Trans2 was good, if I actually watch...I might think Trans2 was good, if I actually watched it. But whether I do or not, the opinions of movie critics won't be the deciding factor. I ignored the tepid reaction of critics to Astro Boy, and I loved that movie. More than any film I've seen recently, including Up. I've seen it twice, and both times, the reaction of the audience around me was very enthusiastic. Grownups were tearing up at some parts of the film. The kids were silent, engrossed, focused on the screen - I heard no fussing, no restlessness (how often does THAT happen during a matinee showing of a so-called family film?) This is why I'm saying that people by and large are better off ignoring the opinions of movie critics when choosing a film to spend their time and money on. The quality of Astro Boy as opposed to film critics' opinions of it was a revelation to me. And that's why I'm championing the film here. Unlike some people here, apparently, I'm more a fan of animation than I am of movie critics. Astro Boy is just damn good. Do yourselves a favor and give it a look. Or obey the movie critics and stay home. Your choice. And possibly, your loss.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-37695973670110179012009-11-18T21:26:13.391-08:002009-11-18T21:26:13.391-08:00So box office performance means nothing, but movie...<b>So box office performance means nothing, but movie critics' opinions DO, when it comes to any given film's quality?</b><br /><br />How else would you explain Transformers 2? You really think that movie was good?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-14866190164065966052009-11-18T19:08:05.824-08:002009-11-18T19:08:05.824-08:00But if a film gets bad reviews but good marketing ...But if a film gets bad reviews but good marketing and good box office ("Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs"), does that mean it's a good film?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-76052080954408499152009-11-18T18:15:13.179-08:002009-11-18T18:15:13.179-08:00WHOOPS! Typo:
But if it gets bad reviews AND a p...WHOOPS! Typo:<br /><br /><br />But if it gets bad reviews AND a poor marketing....well....its kinda doomed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-71508920859723981382009-11-18T18:14:25.459-08:002009-11-18T18:14:25.459-08:00Yes, all films that get 48% on Rotten Tomatoes did...Yes, all films that get 48% on Rotten Tomatoes did poorly at the box office solely because of bad marketing.<br /><br />Brilliant.<br /><br />See, I only think you can claim "bad marketing" if it get's positive reviews, just like Bolt and Iron Giant was pointed out earlier.<br /><br />But if it gets bad reviews AND a poor critical reception....well....its kinda doomed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-54663135106345528932009-11-18T17:49:29.853-08:002009-11-18T17:49:29.853-08:00Yeah. So did The Iron Giant.
Brilliant, RC.Yeah. So did The Iron Giant.<br /><br />Brilliant, RC.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-61382570190655102272009-11-18T13:55:23.235-08:002009-11-18T13:55:23.235-08:00Astro Boy failed because it sucked.Astro Boy failed because it sucked.Reality Checknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-69158040838097186782009-11-18T11:18:41.515-08:002009-11-18T11:18:41.515-08:00So box office performance means nothing, but movie...So box office performance means nothing, but movie critics' opinions DO, when it comes to any given film's quality? Wow, what a twisted view. So twisted I don't even know how to untangle it.<br /><br />As for Astro Boy, my point all along was that ordinary folk who have seen the film generally love it (see the Rotten Tomato/Yahoo Movies user review grades for the film, which were all much higher than the film critics'). AND that the reason the movie did so poorly is because Summit did a lousy job of selling the film to the public prior to its premiere. It wouldn't be the first time, after all, that a studio failed a good movie in that regard. Rotten Tomatoes gives "The Iron Giant" a 97% Fresh rating, yet the film flopped. (So much for critics' opinions, hmmm?) <br />So with all that critical praise behind it, why did "Iron Giant" fail? Easy; same reason "Astro Boy" failed. Bad publicity, bad timing on the film's release. It's really not that hard to figure out...if you're not totally into some kind of cult-like worship of Rotten Tomatoes, that is. :PAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-13371390894027244242009-11-18T09:10:16.039-08:002009-11-18T09:10:16.039-08:00Wait, so if Ice Age 3 was good because it made a l...Wait, so if Ice Age 3 was good because it made a lot of money, wouldnt that mean Astro Boy was bad because it didnt? PLUS it got bad reviews?My 2 Centsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-61223521589784116452009-11-18T08:38:38.308-08:002009-11-18T08:38:38.308-08:00Yes! And Ice Age was a TERRIBLE movie, definitely...Yes! And Ice Age was a TERRIBLE movie, definitely deserving of a poor RT score. People went to see Ice Age because it was a familiar property with talking animals, cheap laughs, lots of action, and pretty imagery. NOT because it was a good film.<br /><br />Even more proof you cant separate box office results and film quality. You arent even worth arguing withAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-3987300675024171102009-11-18T07:08:17.182-08:002009-11-18T07:08:17.182-08:00And I'd like to add that Rotten Tomatoes gave ...And I'd like to add that Rotten Tomatoes gave Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs a Rotten Rating of 45% - lower than Astro Boy's (48%). Ice Age is now one of the biggest animated hits of all time, raking in millions of bucks and promising more employment for hundreds of animators.<br /><br />Golly...how come the audiences who provided those millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs didn't listen to the critics?! What a bunch of dolts, not heeding the words of people who obviously know better than they do what's good and what isn't. Sheesh! Moviegoers are chumps!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-15789621960907485302009-11-17T15:32:46.954-08:002009-11-17T15:32:46.954-08:00I...don't mean to prolong what appears to be a...I...don't mean to prolong what appears to be a heated argument, but I liked Astroboy too. Up was great, of course, but Astroboy really got to me. Visually I think it was just as good as any other CGI film. It probably won't win an Oscar, but who cares? (FOr the record, I never listen to movie critics either).BuckPrivatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14672813296230372754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-34132062450644422842009-11-17T11:13:17.806-08:002009-11-17T11:13:17.806-08:00I'm surprised people who are on this blog, who...<b>I'm surprised people who are on this blog, who supposedly support animation and wish for its success so that (at the very least) animators will get more work, would give a damn what movie critics say about any given animated work.</b><br /><br />Im a feature film animator. So, by that token, you assume I should support every single animated movie that comes out because I should "support my fellow artists" just because?<br /><br />No thanks. I only support GOOD movies because I want my particular craft to grow and develop, not to stagnate or be overrun by garbage movies, thus cheapening the craft. So I guess, I sort of regret going to see it.<br /><br />By the way, I thought Astro Boy was just okay. Sure, the visuals were nice, but the story was just meh. (I wasnt too convinced of the translation from the original 2D art of AstroBoy to CG) I could tell they were trying for a more honest storyline in there somewhere, but it didnt quite get there for me. So, maybe I should have listened to the critics, huh?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-9264444560636704302009-11-17T10:53:57.489-08:002009-11-17T10:53:57.489-08:00I would never buy, or not buy a car based on what ...I would never buy, or not buy a car based on what critics say, (unless it had some kind of chronic mechanical or<br />safety flaw). I would always take it for a test drive first.My 2 Centsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-79279271727604786092009-11-17T09:23:22.322-08:002009-11-17T09:23:22.322-08:00I'm surprised people who are on this blog, who...I'm surprised people who are on this blog, who supposedly support animation and wish for its success so that (at the very least) animators will get more work, would give a damn what movie critics say about any given animated work. Would actually avoid an animated film because of what some dude who's working at a newspaper thinks. And that bit about "financial success does not equal quality" falls right in line with my opinion of the movie Astro Boy. The opinions of some of the critics and the box-office take of that film are not an accurate gauge of its entertainment value. It's an underrated gem. That's my opinion that I base on having actually seen it. That was my argument from the very beginning: watch the film, make up your own mind, don't let the opinions of an overexposed few make up your mind for you. You might discover a diamond in the rough. The artists behind Astro Boy deserve praise and support because they did a damn fine job; it kills me that their hard work is being so unfairly overlooked. And that's why I don't give a damn about Rotten Tomatoes. I say it's a siren song for the easily led. Again, your mileage may vary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-49854761281373526582009-11-17T07:47:42.228-08:002009-11-17T07:47:42.228-08:00Yes, but financial success does not equal quality....Yes, but financial success does not equal quality. <br /><br />I think that's what you're arguing, and your antagonist is arguing only about film quality. <br /><br />Some people wont see a movie if its critically panned. Thats just the way it is. Some people like exploding robots despite how bad of a film it is.<br /><br />For me, I read reviews of Transformers, and because of the bad reviews, I didnt go see it, and I wont see it. Id rather not waste my time. So for me, film critics are helpful, and therefore, relevant. Whether or not it made a killing is a different discussion.<br /><br />Another way to look at it is with car reviews. Some people will spend hours reading reviews on safety, performance, engineering, etc before buying a car. Other people will just look at the exterior and if they like it, they'll buy it, even if it breaks down a year later (the Mitsubishi Eclipse comes to mind, haha). Maybe the Eclipse will outsell far superior cars because it looks better, but does that make an Eclipse a better car? No. Are reviews of other cars still relevant and helpful to those who listen? Absolutely.<br /><br />So I guess the point is, dont be so quick to easily disregard the combined opinions of others, even if you disagree. And dont be surprised if someone calls your Eclipse a piece of junk, even though you think it's fabulous.gnoreply@blogger.com