Watching War of the Worlds tonight, I couldn't help but think to myself, "Man, this film would have been an instant classic had it come out years before now." I'm not talking about the quality of the special effects, of course. I'm talking about the feel of the film, and how it corresponds with recent sci-fi classics like Alien, The Abyss, The Thing, and the Terminator films (to name a few). It's got nearly everything these films have and more. But it seems like the majority of those who saw it finds it lukewarm, if not altogether stale.
So, I'm wondering: do we attach an ever-growing expectation to films as they are released? Do we enjoy films less and less if they don't give us something completely fresh and original in exchange for our cost of admission? I mean, even I can see how War of the Worlds is a "johnny-come-lately" of sorts, but does that really make it less enjoyable? Are we growing fickle with the film industry? More demanding? Are we becoming less sympathetic with the formula?
What films would you say are condemned now, when they would be praised had they been released years earlier? Do you think these films should be praised more or less today?
So, I'm wondering: do we attach an ever-growing expectation to films as they are released? Do we enjoy films less and less if they don't give us something completely fresh and original in exchange for our cost of admission? I mean, even I can see how War of the Worlds is a "johnny-come-lately" of sorts, but does that really make it less enjoyable? Are we growing fickle with the film industry? More demanding? Are we becoming less sympathetic with the formula?
What films would you say are condemned now, when they would be praised had they been released years earlier? Do you think these films should be praised more or less today?