10 Movies With 50% on Rotten Tomatoes: Exploring the In-Between Gems

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Rotten Tomatoes keeps film studios, directors, and actors tossing and turning at night, yet it persists as a crucial part of the movie industry. Every production dreams of receiving a high rating from critics on this aggregator site, but only a select few achieve that distinction. If wishes could materialize into reality, numerous Hollywood heavyweights would travel back to the 20th century, when Rotten Tomatoes hadn’t been invented yet.

1998 saw the establishment of a website by three students from the University of California: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang. Contrary to popular belief, the name doesn’t originate from the traditional audience practice of throwing rotten tomatoes to show disapproval during a bad stage performance. Instead, it was inspired by the Canadian film “Léolo” where a character dreams about his mother becoming pregnant after falling into a cart of tomatoes that were contaminated by an Italian man’s semen.

Aiming for a new rating on Rotten Tomatoes above 60% is usually beneficial, but at times, critics may disagree. And when a film earns a 50% score, it suggests an uncertain verdict – “We’re unsure whether this movie is great or disappointing.” Below, you’ll find movies that have garnered such a label, and for good reasons.

10
’12 Strong’ (2018)

12 Strong recounts the initial significant military operation during the Afghanistan War, as narrated by journalist Doug Stanton in his non-fiction book, Horse Soldiers. Following the September 11 attacks, a U.S. Army Special Forces team, under the command of Captain Mitch Nelson (Chris Hemsworth), was dispatched to Afghanistan. The team’s brave actions ultimately led to the collapse of Mazar-i-Sharif, marking the Taliban’s first significant defeat.

Stretched Past Its Yield Point

It’s a nice change to watch a contemporary war film featuring American soldiers on horses instead of tanks or Humvees. Chris Hemsworth gives an impressive performance, showing that his talents extend beyond playing a character from Asgard. Nevertheless, the movie could have been improved by cutting back some scenes. At over 2 hours and 10 minutes, it seems overly lengthy without a clear justification for its duration.

12 Strong is praised by critics for its compelling cast, noble intentions, and gripping, true-to-life plot – elements that sometimes manage to compensate for a lacking complexity or subtlety. Despite these flaws, it remains an appealing choice for those who enjoy films set during the War in Afghanistan.

9
‘Escape Plan’ (2013)

In the movie “Escape Plan,” character Ray Breslin, portrayed by Sylvester Stallone, runs a security-testing company that specializes in assessing high-security prisons’ weaknesses by purposely getting himself incarcerated. However, complications arise when he unexpectedly lands on a vast sea-bound prison facility. Fortunately, Emil Rottmayer (Arnold Schwarzenegger), another detainee, steps forward to aid in his daring breakout.

Two Chefs Serving a Familiar Meal

In the first film that pairs Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger as main characters, there’s enough nostalgic action for fans of ’80s cinema. The two stars share an impressive on-screen rapport, backed by a robust supporting cast featuring Vincent D’Onofrio and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. However, it doesn’t bring anything fresh to the table; it’s more of the same old fisticuffs and gunfights. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes have summarized it as: “While it’s entertaining to watch Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger share the screen, Escape Plan offers little more than a watered-down replica of ’80s popcorn thrills.

8
‘Carrie’ (2013)

Revisiting one of Stephen King’s finest adaptations might not have been the wisest choice, but it went ahead nonetheless. Similar to the original film, we witness the main character, Carrie, exercising her telekinetic abilities to retaliate against her overly judgmental mother and the tormentors who’ve been picking on her at school.

A More Sympathetic Carrie

In contrast to the original Carrie, this version is less frightening. There’s less graphic violence and more dialogue focusing on topics like bullying and poor parenting. This aspect is praiseworthy, but it may disappoint enthusiasts of the book or the initial Brian De Palma film. However, casual viewers are likely to enjoy it. Critics have commented that the remake “showcases a talented cast, but Kimberly Peirce’s reinterpretation of Brian De Palma’s horror masterpiece fails to bring anything fresh from the Stephen King novel and seems unnecessary.

7
‘The Passion of the Christ’ (2004)

Under Mel Gibson’s direction, the film titled “The Passion of the Christ” narrates the concluding 12 hours of Jesus’ life. The narrative is predominantly inspired by the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, but it also incorporates elements from a widely recognized devotional account called the “Friday of Sorrows.

Too Violent for a Biblical-Themed Movie

Critics observed that Director Mel Gibson’s intense passion for the project is evident in “The Passion of the Christ,” but what viewers may find draining instead of spiritually enriching is its overwhelmingly violent nature. Essentially, it’s a film focused on torture, which aligns with historical facts, but this style could potentially drive away younger audiences. However, the acting is exceptional and will definitely earn applause.

6
‘The World Is Not Enough’ (1999)

In the movie “The World is Not Enough,” James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) is assigned to safeguard the daughter of a deceased billionaire. However, he discovers that there’s more to the story and that the daughter might not be as pure as she appears.

Not Enough Quality

It’s often said that among Pierce Brosnan’s Bond films, only GoldenEye stands out as exceptional. Interestingly, this sentiment aligns with Rotten Tomatoes’ assessment. However, it’s important to note that all these movies are enjoyable in their own right. The World is Not Enough, for instance, boasts some striking action sequences such as the ski chase and the underwater fight. Despite some issues with mediocre writing, uneven acting, and a plot that follows the typical Bond formula, it still offers some thrilling and authentically Bond-like action scenes according to Rotten Tomatoes’ critical consensus.

5
‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’ (1998)

The movie titled “How Stella Recaptured Her Rhythm” revolves around Stella (Angela Bassett), a prosperous stockbroker grappling with love. On her vacation in Jamaica, she encounters a younger man named Winston (Taye Diggs). However, when it’s time to return home, she faces a predicament: should she continue their connection? With the distance and age gap between them, is there any hope for a successful relationship?

The Complexities of Love

In a movie set in a Caribbean island titled “How Stella Found Her Rhythm Again”, the visuals are as clear and vibrant as one would anticipate. Basset delivers another solid performance, yet the storyline tends to follow predictable patterns, and the dialogue lacks excitement. The critics commented that Stella’s character glides effortlessly through a passionate summer romance with minimal complications or tension, which leaves us questioning whether she will truly rediscover her zest for life, or if this fling is just temporary.

4
‘Olympus Has Fallen’ (2013)

Olympus Has Fallen begins with the demotion of Secret Service agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) after a road accident causes the death of the First Lady. Months later, he is forced to come back to the President’s defense when North Korean guerillas attack the White House.

All-Action, Less Plot

Antoine Fuqua is skilled at creating action-packed films. In his latest work, he delivers an abundance of action scenes and maintains a constant feeling of suspense. However, the storyline could use some improvement. Still, it’s worth watching due to Gerard Butler’s captivating performance. Critics also appreciated certain aspects, praising the film for its taut direction by Antoine Fuqua and Gerard Butler’s powerful acting – elements that might appeal particularly to action enthusiasts.

3
‘Alice in Wonderland’ (2010)

In the story of ‘Alice in Wonderland’, it’s Mia Wasikowska who plays Alice Kingsleigh. As a young girl, she ventured into Wonderland but can’t recall the place. Fast forward to when she turns 19 and is on the verge of getting married. In an unexpected twist, she tumbles down the rabbit hole again. Eventually, she comes to understand that her fate lies in assisting the White Queen to reclaim her throne.

Audiences in Wonderland

In this incredible adventure known as Alice in Wonderland, I was fortunate to share the screen with the likes of Johnny Depp, Alan Rickman, Martin Sheen, and Anne Hathaway. The performances were nothing short of marvelous, and it was an absolute joy working under Tim Burton’s direction. However, the film suffered slightly due to Burton’s attempt to make the plot overly intellectual. Despite this, the blockbuster appeal remained unwavering. Critics commended the movie for its stunning visuals, acknowledging that while it may have sacrificed some of the book’s narrative coherence and emotional depth, it was undeniably a feast for the eyes.

2
‘Disorganized Crime’ (1989)

The disorderly nature of their criminal activities is aptly reflected in the title Disorganized Crime. Notorious bank robber Frank Salazar (played by Corbin Bernsen) assembles a team for a new heist in Montana, but ends up getting arrested prior to the crime. Despite not knowing each other beforehand, his crew elects to carry on with the plan, however, the execution is nothing short of mayhem.

Messing it All Up

As a movie enthusiast, I find movies about botched crimes can be quite intense, yet they’re even more enjoyable when they’re sprinkled with humor. This is exactly what “Disorganized Crime” does – it’s packed with one chase scene after another, and the characters find themselves in such absurd situations that they even end up wallowing in manure at times. Unfortunately, if you’re looking for a meticulously planned heist, you might be disappointed, as even esteemed critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert pointed out the same thing.

1
‘Now You See Me’ (2013)

The movie Now You See Me presents us with four talented illusionists: Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg), Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher), Merritt McKinney (Woody Harrelson), and Jack Wilder (Dave Franco). They are brought together by a secret backer. The FBI becomes suspicious that these magicians are actually pulling off heists during their performances, distributing the stolen funds to their spectators, leading them to pursue and track down this group.

Modern Day Robin Hoods

It’s regrettable that there aren’t more movies about magicians in Hollywood. However, Louis Leterrier managed to breathe life into this underdeveloped genre by combining it with a thrilling heist storyline. The movie keeps you engaged for its full 2-hour duration, but it fails to fully utilize the acting abilities of its cast. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes have noted that the film’s characters and plot are somewhat shallow, relying on clever directorial techniques to keep viewers entertained and divert attention away from these weaknesses.

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2025-02-09 20:33