Audience Raves Over 300 at Berlin
Filed under: Action, Berlin, Warner Brothers
You know how there's often this "rift" between film critics and general moviegoers? Like when something like Meet the Fockers scores only 38% from The Tomatometer -- yet goes on to gross well over $279 million domestically and $237 million overseas? Yeah, that kind of thing happens a lot. (koff-NORBIT-koff) And it looks like it might be happening with Zack Snyder's 300 at the Berlin Film Festival.A few days back our Erik Davis informed us that during and after the press screening for 300, a small-yet-vocal contingent of the audience was, well, let's just say they were unimpressed. And since it's a European Film Festival (where "cineastes" often behave like childish jerks), their disdain devolved into a round of scattered jeers and boos. Frankly I don't think it's that big a deal. (I remember a press screening of The Two Towers in which a few people booed. Those people were morons.)
But now comes word that Snyder's mega-sweaty 300 was not only well-received during its "ticket-holder" screening; the folks absolutely devoured the thing and greeted the end credits with a big fat standing ovation. (Two things that seem pretty prevalent at European film festivals: booings and standing ovations.) According to Bloody-Disgusting.com, the flick elicited big waves of applause throughout and people really seemed to like it. So I guess the moral of this story (and the Marie Antoinette story and the Clerks 2 story and the Southland Tales story and the Fountain story) is that you shouldn't judge a film's quality by the pleasant/nasty reaction it receives at swanky film festivals. Better to either stick with your favorite and most-trusted film critics -- or, heck, just drop the nine bucks and see the flick for yourself. (300 opens on March 9.)
EXCLUSIVE: Creepy New One-Sheet for IFC's 'Fear(s) of the Dark'!
EXCLUSIVE: Brand-New Poster for Ridley Scott's 'Body of Lies'!
Comic Creators Respond to Warner Bros' 'Dark Superman' Idea
EXCLUSIVE: New Photos from Spike Lee's 'Miracle at St. Anna'
Vin Diesel Will Press On With 'Riddick' Sequels
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg){kind=spacer}
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-15-2007 @ 7:07PM
bgdc said...
Far more inclined to believe bloody disgusting will misrepresent the reception than a generic critic. They - like that sellout red-ape at AICN - have no ability to judge quality from crap.
Reply
2-15-2007 @ 10:43PM
Ryan Stewart said...
"So I guess the moral of this story (and the Marie Antoinette story and the Clerks 2 story and the Southland Tales story and the Fountain story) is that you shouldn't judge a film's quality by the pleasant/nasty reaction it receives at swanky film festivals."
I agree that it's silly to put a lot of stock in either a positive/negative reaction at one festival, but I'd trust the opinion of a group of critics at a small, quiet mid-afternoon screening over the instantly-press-released 'reaction' at a public premiere, where, as we both know, its studio policy to pack the aisles with feverish clappers and standing-ovation-leaders.
Reply
2-16-2007 @ 4:32AM
Ethan Stanislawski said...
I saw the film at a screening in L.A. at the press junket. Overall it was well received, and I, a critic for the college press, liked it. I wonder how much Erik's negative review was influenced by the reaction of the crowd, because I thought his review was really incomplete and missed the point.
Reply
2-16-2007 @ 12:52PM
Filmbrain said...
Scott --
If I may ask, what was the source of your story? Was it from someone who was at the premiere, or was it taken from Warner's press release?
I was at a separate screening from Erik, and the reaction was the same as he described. There were a ton of walkouts.
I'd love to hear from someone who was actually at the Berlinale Palast on Wednesday night. I've not been to a single premiere at this year's fest that received a standing ovation.
There is a lot of buzz about the film here at the fest, but it's almost all negative.
Reply
2-16-2007 @ 2:36PM
ThePete said...
Clerks 2 was good?
I really wish I HAD listened to critics before dropping my $10 on that film. It felt more like a made-for-TV reunion special TV networks broadcast opposite the Super Bowl or the Oscars than a sequel to Clerks...
As for 300? I'll be seeing it regardless--it's playing at an Imax theater near me and I figure even if the movie does suck, it'll still rock on that massive screen.
Reply
2-16-2007 @ 2:56PM
The Jeremy said...
I like Kevin Smith's work, but *Clerks 2* was pretty poor, even with Rosario Dawson. Indulgent. Bring on *Jay & Silent Bob 2* if there's to be another trip to that well.
Reply
2-21-2007 @ 1:42PM
Snark said...
Why are people so invested in this movie? You'd think their mother made it or something. Guys, liking 300 doesn't make you a bad-ass like one of the Spartans on this film. Really. You can let it go.
Reply