Star ratings for films

alleepally

There was a good article a few weeks ago in the Guardian about the merits or otherwise of giving films star ratings. A very good point was made that you never see a theatrical review getting star ratings or books for that matter. Does it cheapen film as an art form to assign it a star rating.

Does a film review with lets say 2 stars out of 5 put you off seeing it or do you just read the review and ignore the stars? I know that I'm often swayed by star reviews before I go to see a film.

Just wondering what others think on this subject.

Karl Hungus

I think it's really down to what kind of person you are, and whether you're easily lead on by the opinions of others. Or rather, if you're the kind of person who'd look at a rating and instantly take it as granted that it's a good, or bad film.

An actual writen review can tell you far more than a simple rating, and most intelligent film go'ers would (That is, if they'd bother reading a review at all) make their own minds up despite ratings. The best kind of review is the one that tells you what kind of film it is, and why it's good/bad on certain aspects, as apposed to a statement that "It's just crap." Or "It's just great!"

For example:

Generic Action Movie X: The Revenge is pretty much what you'd expect from the series; big explosions, car chases beautiful women, and there's really nothing new or original, but if you feel like switching your brain off for an hour and a half, and try and ignore the plot holes, you'll enjoy it. If you're looking for something challenging, with good acting and originality, avoid like the plague.

There's no way to account for taste in a review, so a rating of any kind is basically useless. Best thing you can do is look for a good insightfull review, and make your own mind up whether it's your kind of movie or not.

K!LL!@N

I think word of mouth is more powerful than star ratings.
I would avoid reading reviews to be honest, as a lot of them give away too much of the actual story.
But yeah, if you are skimming through reviews that have star ratings you'd tend to stay away from films that have low ratings. But if the story interested me, i probably still see it. Whereas if a friend, who's taste was similar to mine, said a film was rubbish i'd avoid it. Unless i really wanted to see it for some reason.

Killian

Quatre Mains

I hate the whole star system. I used to buy the once brilliant Uncut magazine but it drove me nuts with its star ratings in its (increasingly arrogant andd contradictory) reviews. One album would be berated and another praised, yet both would receive 3 stars.

Chad ghostal

i think star ratings are like any other form of rating/review, its best to know who is giving the opinion.
film magazines for example are pretty consistant with reviews and so if you know that a films looks good, and you rarely agree with the persons opinion go see it..

i dont think it cheapens the film in most cases.. most films arent really worthy of art title.