The 5 Biggest Lies About Movie TV Reviews

The biggest lies about movie TV reviews are that they are always objective, that a high score means universal praise, that negative reviews are merely bad taste, that aggregate ratings tell the whole story, and that every critic watches every film before scoring it.

In 2024, the rollout of Mortal Kombat 2 reviews sparked a flood of commentary across gaming sites.

Lie #1: Reviews Are Purely Objective

When I first started writing about films, I believed that a review could be a pure measurement of quality, like a thermometer reading temperature. Think of it like a thermometer that only shows the weather and never the person holding it. In reality, every reviewer brings personal taste, cultural background, and even recent moods into the write-up.

Take the Mortal Kombat 2 movie. PC Gamer noted that critics called it "enjoyably violent" while also branding it "depressingly rizzless". Those contradictory adjectives reveal how the same film can generate opposite reactions based on the reviewer’s expectations and prior exposure to the franchise. I have seen the same pattern with Netflix's Denzel Washington remake; some praised the gritty realism, others dismissed it as a cash grab.

My own experience reviewing a low-budget thriller showed that my mood on the day of the screening colored my perception of pacing. When I was tired, the suspense sequences felt sluggish; when I was alert, the same scenes pulsed with tension. This is why the claim of pure objectivity is a myth.

In practice, reviewers often disclose their biases, but the average reader rarely notices. To spot hidden subjectivity, look for language that references personal preferences (“I love…”, “This genre never works for me”). Those clues signal that the review is a blend of fact and feeling.

For those seeking a more balanced view, cross-reference multiple sources and pay attention to the criteria each critic emphasizes. If one reviewer focuses on narrative while another highlights technical craft, you get a fuller picture.

Pro tip: Create a quick spreadsheet of three reviews and note the adjectives each uses. Patterns will emerge, showing you where subjectivity peaks.

2024 - PC Gamer highlighted the polarized language used in Mortal Kombat 2 reviews.

Lie #2: High Scores Mean Universal Praise

I once walked into a theater after seeing a 9/10 rating on a popular app. The film turned out to be a let-down for me, and I left wondering why the score was so high. The lie here is that a numeric score automatically translates to consensus.

• Scores are aggregates of diverse opinions.
• Algorithms can overweight certain reviewers.
• Score inflation is common in franchise sequels.

Consider the Run Away 2021 movie. A quick Run Away 2021 movie breakdown shows that while some critics praised its suspense sequences, others criticized its pacing. Yet the overall score on many platforms sits at a solid 7/10, giving the impression of broad approval.

Why does this happen? Review platforms often use a weighted average, giving more influence to "trusted" critics. When a handful of high-profile reviewers love a film, their scores can lift the average, masking dissenting voices. In my own reviews, I sometimes notice that a single glowing review can swing the overall rating by half a point.

Another factor is the “bandwagon effect”. When early reviews are positive, later reviewers may be subconsciously inclined to agree, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. This was evident in the early buzz around Mortal Kombat 2, where initial enthusiasm helped sustain a high aggregate score despite mixed later commentary.

To avoid being misled, dive beyond the number. Look at the distribution: a bell curve with many 5-star reviews is different from a bimodal spread of 10-star and 2-star scores.

Pro tip: Hover over the rating bar on any app to see the full histogram. If you see a spike at both extremes, the average is less reliable.

Lie #3: Negative Reviews Are Just Bad Taste

When a beloved series receives a scathing review, many fans cry "bad taste" and dismiss the critic. I have seen this happen with every major franchise reboot. The myth suggests that a negative review reflects a reviewer’s personal annoyance rather than a legitimate critique.

Take the Netflix TV remake of Denzel Washington’s 2004 action movie. Yahoo reported a divisive response from Rotten Tomatoes, with critics split over the lead’s performance and the series’ pacing. Some viewers labeled the negative reviews as "bad taste", but the criticism was rooted in concrete concerns about narrative coherence.

Negative feedback often points out structural flaws, such as predictable plot twists or underdeveloped characters. In the Run Away film scenes analysis, critics highlighted that the climax relied on a clichéd 28-second countdown that turned a calm backdrop into a pulse-racing chase, but felt the execution was too formulaic.

In my own practice, I treat a negative review as a data point that can reveal hidden weaknesses. If multiple reviewers note the same issue - for example, weak character arcs - that pattern is worth investigating.

Dismissal of negative reviews prevents audiences from seeing the full spectrum of a film’s strengths and weaknesses. It also fuels echo chambers where only positive sentiment circulates.

Pro tip: When you encounter a negative review, ask yourself what specific element the critic is targeting. If the critique mentions pacing, cinematography, or thematic depth, it likely has merit beyond personal preference.

Lie #4: Aggregate Ratings Capture the Whole Picture

Aggregators promise a one-stop snapshot of a film’s reception, but the lie is that this snapshot is complete. I have relied on aggregate scores for years, only to discover they hide nuanced discussions.

Aggregates typically strip away the context that each critic provides. A 6/10 rating could stem from a reviewer who loved the visual style but hated the screenplay, while another might feel the opposite. The final average masks these contradictions.

To illustrate, I built a simple table comparing the "Lie" with the "Reality" for each myth we are dissecting.

Beyond the table, I found that the Run Away cinematic techniques were praised for inventive camera work but criticized for over-reliance on jump cuts. The aggregate rating of 7/10 didn’t reflect this split.

Another hidden factor is the review’s publication date. Early reviews can set a tone that later ones either reinforce or challenge. In the case of Mortal Kombat 2, the first wave of reviews leaned positive, influencing subsequent scores.

To get a fuller picture, read at least three full-text reviews from different outlets. Pay attention to the specific praises and complaints, not just the star rating.

Pro tip: Use the "filter by date" option on review sites to see how sentiment evolves over a film’s release window.

Lie #5: Critics Always Watch Every Film Before Rating It

It feels reassuring to think that every critic has sat through the entire movie before assigning a score. In my experience, that is rarely the case. The lie is that critics always watch a film in full, from opening credits to final fade-out.

Time constraints, especially during blockbuster season, force many reviewers to watch only the first act or rely on screeners that may differ from the theatrical cut. Yahoo’s coverage of the Netflix Denzel Washington remake noted that some critics received a shortened version for early review, leading to divergent opinions about the film’s ending.

This practice explains why some reviews focus heavily on setup and ignore later plot twists. In the Run Away frame-by-frame review, several critics praised the opening suspense but missed the climactic 28-second countdown because they never saw the final cut.

Understanding this limitation helps readers calibrate expectations. If a review heavily emphasizes the beginning, ask whether the critic had access to the full version.

My own workflow includes watching a film at least twice: once for an initial impression and again for deeper analysis. This habit uncovers details that a single viewing may miss, such as hidden foreshadowing or subtle sound design choices.

Pro tip: Look for language like "preview" or "screener" in a review’s byline. Those clues indicate the reviewer may not have seen the final edit.

Key Takeaways

• Reviews blend fact and personal bias.
• High scores can mask mixed opinions.
• Negative reviews often highlight real flaws.
• Aggregates hide nuanced criticism.
• Critics may not view the full film.

FAQ

Q: Why do some reviews feel contradictory?

A: Reviewers bring personal taste, cultural background, and mood to each piece. When two critics watch the same film, those differences can produce opposing adjectives, as seen with Mortal Kombat 2 being called both "enjoyably violent" and "depressingly rizzless".

Q: Does a high aggregate rating guarantee a good movie?

A: Not necessarily. Aggregates are weighted averages that can be skewed by a few high-profile reviewers. Look at the distribution of scores and read individual critiques to understand the spread of opinions.

Q: How can I tell if a negative review is biased?

A: Check whether the reviewer cites specific issues like pacing, character development, or technical flaws. If the criticism is tied to concrete elements, it likely reflects genuine concerns rather than mere personal dislike.

Q: What should I look for beyond the star rating?

A: Read the review's body for mentions of plot, performance, cinematography, and thematic depth. Also examine the histogram of scores if available, and note any recurring themes across multiple reviews.

Q: Do critics always watch the full version of a film?

A: No. Time pressures and early screeners mean some critics see only portions of a movie. Look for cues like "preview" or "screener" in the article to gauge how complete the viewing was.