The zero-star dilemma: When is a movie so bad it's beyond one star?
The recent zero-star review of Kim Kardashian's TV show, All's Fair, has sparked a debate about the value of star ratings. While zero stars are rare, they do exist, and their impact can be powerful. But is giving zero stars an overreaction, or is it a necessary evil to highlight the truly terrible?
My esteemed colleague, Lucy Mangan, bravely ventured into uncharted territory by awarding Kardashian's show the infamous zero stars. This decision was not taken lightly, as zero-star reviews are indeed a rarity on this esteemed publication. However, the question remains: Should we expect more zero-star reviews in the future?
Interestingly, I hold the honor of delivering the Guardian's first-ever zero-star review for the cinematic disaster, 'Boat Trip', starring Cuba Gooding. But here's where it gets controversial: There have been films arguably worse than 'Boat Trip' that didn't receive the zero-star treatment. This raises an important question: Is the zero-star rating reserved only for the most egregious failures, or should it be used more frequently?
The decision to give zero stars is not taken lightly. It's like declaring that the worst has no lower limit. If one star is the worst, why introduce zero stars? And if zero stars become the new normal, what's stopping critics from going further and introducing negative ratings?
Imagine a world where critics, like Weimar citizens during hyperinflation, devalue their ratings to the point of absurdity. A zero-star review might become as common as a one-star review today. And then, the inevitable happens—someone gives a negative rating of minus one or minus two stars. The race to the bottom begins, and the star-rating system loses its meaning.
Perhaps it's time for a reset. If zero stars are to become the new benchmark for critical disdain, critics might need to establish a new rating system altogether. But until then, let's explore some movies that, in my opinion, deserve the big zero.
First up, the 2001 comedy 'Freddy Got Fingered', which I described as one of the worst cultural experiences of the 21st century. This film is so bad it's almost painful to watch. Next, Louis Leterrier's 'The Incredible Hulk' (2008), a film with acting so poor it nearly sent me into a nervous breakdown. But the ultimate zero-star award goes to Julia Roberts' 2010 film 'Eat Pray Love', a self-indulgent journey that feels never-ending.
And there you have it—my picks for the zero-star club. But I want to hear from you. Do you agree with these choices? Are there other movies that you believe deserve zero stars? Or do you think the zero-star rating is an unnecessary extreme? Share your thoughts and let's spark a lively discussion!
