It does not take a rocket scientist to understand that there are two types of films: good films and bad films. Just as there are many aspects that contribute to the making of a good film, likewise there are many factors as to why a film can be labeled bad. The list of such factors is quite lengthy: poor acting, atrocious screen-writing, inappropriate lighting or music, and the list goes on.
But did you ever consider the possibility that one of the reasons why a film may be described as bad is because of yourself?
For many people, this is an un-heard-of concept. On the surface, such an argument does not make sense. A viewer does not direct the film, act in the film, or perform any other duties that have any impressive effect on the film. All a viewer does, as many believe, is choose whether or not to view the movie.
If one digs deeper, this is not inherently true.
Think about this: If there is any superpower that actually does exist, it is one that is individually possessed by most human beings and it is often referred to as one's imagination. Our imaginations are truly incredible; they can create entire worlds in our minds, paint beautiful dreams and horrifying nightmares, and craft incredible stories that rival even the most extraordinary of blockbusters.
Our imaginations can also do something else: influence our perceptions.
For example, when DC Comics announced that it's latest film would feature the famous fight between two of the world's greatest superheroes, Batman and Superman, viewer's imaginations took the reins and ran wild. Everything from conspiracy theories to revisitations of classic animated movies and cartoons flooded social media and the Internet. YouTube videos analyzing the conflict, the trailers, and the film's possible plot line appeared faster than raindrops in a thunderstorm.
On the one hand, interest in the film was at a record high, but on the other hand, all of the excitement was raising viewers' expectations to such an incredible level that there was no way the film could even lift its head to meet the bar.
So what happened?
Unfortunately for DC, the film was torn apart by critics and it received brutal treatment across the Internet.
Granted, the film could have been greatly improved in many areas, but this was overshadowed by the one fact no one will admit: the film did not meet many audience expectations, so therefore it must be bad.
This phenomenon is what one of my close friends calls, the hype.
Basically, the hype is over-the-top interest in a film, driven by our imaginations, which fuels our fantasies.
There is a reason why this same friend wisely told me, "Never give in to the hype."
He could not be more right. The hype is the ultimate destroyer of films; it tops any director's error, any editing error, or any cinematic error for that matter.
Why?
Because if a viewer gives in to the hype, the film cannot compete with the viewer's imagination, and so it is then perceived to be bad, regardless of whether or not it actually is.
Viewers need to understand that films are not free-flowing. Instead, they are linear. That means that the film starts at point A and ends at point B. Our imaginations do not work like that. Instead of being linear, our imaginations are fluid, constantly reshaping our fantasies and stories, crafting and re-crafting an endless amount of possibilities.
Our imaginations do not understand that it is impossible for a film to change what it is midway through a showing, just to accommodate our subconscious desires and wishes.
And when a film does not, viewers complain about how "bad" the movie was, completely ignoring were the film succeeded and where it could legitimately be improved.
It is true that there are many factors relating to whether or not a film is bad and a viewer giving in to a hype may, in fact, be the greatest of them all.
Thus, when preparing to see a film, remember to enjoy yourself, watch the film's trailers, and get excited! Then, enter the theatre with a clean slate, one that is not piled high with influenced expectations and over-bloated fantasies. Only by doing this will you as a viewer be able to not only appreciate films more, but be able to clearly identify whether or not the film is truly good or bad.
There is no simpler way to say it: ignore the hype.
