So this week I saw both Oceans Twelve and National Treasure. Both movies entertaining, I didn’t find them to be good movies. But I quickly realized that my opinions differed from those who I saw the movie with. Some of the people who saw the movies with me loved them. So I ask myself this: what does make a movie great? Is it the acting? The storyline? Should it be if the movie is entertaining?
Take, for instance, Oceans Twelve. I was a HUGE fan of Oceans Eleven, as I thought it was witty, well done, and had a great plot twist. I highly anticipated Oceans Twelve, but when I saw it my expectations hit rock bottom. While the acting was amazing, and the movie definitley entertaining (how can watching Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bernie Mac, Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta Jones, etc. not be entertaining..?), the plot fell so short. In my opinion, without giving it away, the end “plot twist” was a bust. It was almost a cop out. Same for National Treasure – Nicholas Cage and cast put on an entertaining movie. The story, while far fetched, was fun to watch. But the movie itself was a bit off – there were awful jokes, parts of bad acting, big plot holes, and extremley unrealistic parts. But when it boils down to it, since I was entertained is that a good movie?
I guess it really comes down to what you expect. I tend to think of myself more a movie snob. I love watching movies, even if they are bad, but I hold them to high expectations. An entertaining movie might be good for that day, but great movies last long beyond the first time. I still recommend seeing both Oceans Twelve and National Treasure, you will more than likely enjoy them. Whether or not you consider a great movie, well, is up to you.