As a cinephile who has seen more films than I can count, I must say that these movies are quite the spectacle – in a “so bad it’s good” kind of way! Each one seems to have its own unique charm and quirkiness that makes them stand out from the crowd.
The 1990s was an era that produced several blockbusters that have stood the test of time. Titles like Titanic, Jurassic Park, and The Lion King are still widely recognized, with consistently high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, a well-known movie review aggregator. A “fresh” rating on this platform often encourages viewers to spend their time watching the film, while a “rotten” score tends to deter viewers.
Achieving a superior score on Rotten Tomatoes is quite challenging. What might come as a surprise is that numerous well-liked movies receive mediocre reviews from critics. However, it’s unusual for a film to earn ratings in the single digits, although it isn’t unheard of. Nonetheless, here are some of the poorest films from the ’90s, as ranked by Rotten Tomatoes.
10 ‘Speed 2: Cruise Control’ (1997)
4%
Speed 2: Steady Sailing: The story revolves around Annie Porter, portrayed by Sandra Bullock, and her partner Alex. Embarking on a tropical voyage aboard a lavish cruise liner bound for the Caribbean, they find it hard to unwind and unwind immediately. However, their tranquility is disrupted when a hacker seizes control of the ship’s navigation system, causing the vessel to veer towards an oil tanker. The captain meets his untimely demise, leaving Annie and Alex to outwit the malevolent programmer before disaster strikes.
Why It’s Bad
As a movie critic, I must confess that I found “Speed 2: Cruise Control” to be an extreme test of patience rather than a thrilling experience. The film strains credibility with its over-the-top villain’s actions, which often veer from implausible to downright absurd.
9 ‘Getting Even with Dad’ (1994)
3%
As a passionate film enthusiast, I find myself deeply engrossed in Ray Gleason’s character from “Getting Even with Dad.” Ray, with a shady past as an ex-con, hasn’t quite managed to distance himself from his criminal ways. He and his associates are hatching a plan for a daring coin heist, but just when things seem to be falling into place, a surprise visitor turns up at his doorstep – none other than his estranged son, Timmy.
Just Not Enough
In his heyday following the popular “Home Alone” films, Macaulay Culkin portrayed young Timmy and also appeared in two movies released in 1994: “Getting Even with Dad” and “Richie Rich.” The latter movie fared better at the box office, while the former didn’t resonate as strongly. Despite Culkin’s fame, his stardom couldn’t overshadow the less engaging storyline in these films.
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8 ‘McHale’s Navy’ (1997)
3%
The TV series, titled “McHale’s Navy“, centers around a retired Navy lieutenant named Quinton McHale. He’s on his way to a Naval base for business purposes. However, his enemy, Major Jake McPherson Vladakov, decides to bomb his house due to McHale’s presence. As a result, McHale is thrust back into active duty to put an end to Vladakov’s destructive actions, which are wreaking havoc in the lives of those around him.
Couldn’t Hold Audience’s ATTENTION!
The film, modeled after a well-known TV show from the 1960s, failed to draw the audience from their homes to the cinema. Regrettably, the followers of McHale’s Navy did not flock to the theaters. It fell short at the box office and left critics unimpressed as they felt it lacked the humor and charm present in the original series. However, it was nominated for the Razzie Award for “Worst Remake or Sequel,” but ended up losing to Speed 2: Cruise Control.
7 ‘Problem Child’ (1990)
0%
The comedy “Problem Child” revolves around Ben and Flo Healy, a couple longing to start a family but struggling with infertility. In their quest for parenthood, they opt for adoption, guided by a rather dubious agent. Their seemingly innocent, seven-year-old adoptive son, Junior, hides a mischievous side that brings much more chaos into the Healys’ life than they anticipated.
Wasted Potential
This movie wasn’t made to break new ground or create something revolutionary. Given the acting talents of John Ritter and Gilbert Gottfried, one might expect it to be at least a pleasant diversion. However, critics found its portrayal of adoption problematic, its humor unoriginal, and the script underutilizing its talented cast. Yet, despite these criticisms, it managed to produce two follow-ups and a brief animated series.
6 ‘Return to the Blue Lagoon’ (1991)
0%
In the 1980s, the movie “The Blue Lagoon” stirred up a good deal of controversy because its main actress, Brooke Shields, was only fourteen at the time and her character was portrayed in a way that some found sexually suggestive. Its sequel, “Return to the Blue Lagoon,” didn’t receive much better reviews critically. Both films share similar stories about two teenagers who find themselves stranded on an island and develop romantic feelings for each other.
A Sequel We Didn’t Need
As a devoted fan, I was excited for the sequel to the original movie that had been such a blockbuster hit at the box office, despite not receiving many awards. Yet, “Return to the Blue Lagoon” fell far short of its predecessor, managing only $3 million in revenue on an $11 million budget. The scenic backdrop was undeniably beautiful, but the acting felt uninspired and the plotline predictable. Compared to the 12% Rotten Approval rating of the original film, “Return to the Blue Lagoon” seems to have received a collective thumbs-down with its 0%.
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5 ‘Highlander II: The Quickening’ (1991)
0%
The movie titled “Highlander II: The Quickening” serves as the second chapter in the science fiction Highlander series. In this story, we follow the character of Connor MacLeod, who finds himself in the year 2024 – a time considered far into the future. A protective barrier called The Shield, which safeguards our planet, is under the manipulation of unscrupulous individuals. Connor’s mission becomes to thwart these wrongdoers from bringing about Earth’s destruction.
A Total Mess
The sequel to Highlander, titled Highlander II, was met with criticism from multiple angles. Different versions were distributed, but despite these variations, many viewers found the storyline bewildering and far-fetched. It ended up on numerous “worst” lists, and even subsequent films in the series chose to disregard the events depicted in this installment.
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4 ‘Folks!’ (1992)
0%
“Neighbors, Everyone!
Low-Hanging Fruit
In this movie, numerous cinephiles might effortlessly recite many of its jokes. Critics, including those from Rotten Tomatoes, argued that the writers based most of the humor on the character’s dementia (and it was not particularly amusing). Despite his accomplished acting background, Tom Selleck, who portrayed Jon, received a Razzie nomination for Worst Actor.
3 ‘Look Who’s Talking Now’ (1993)
0%
Check Out “Look Who’s Barking Now”! This hilarious movie features an impressive ensemble: John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, Danny DeVito, and Diane Keaton, among others. It marks the end of the Look Who’s Talking series. In this installment, a family experiencing a career shift during the holiday season adopts two dogs. The audience gets to hear their thoughts as they adjust to their new home.
Look Who’s Bored Now
In simpler terms, the general agreement among critics, as expressed on Rotten Tomatoes, is that “Look Who’s Talking Now” isn’t worth watching – “Look away.” Previous movies in this series might have been corny, but they had a certain charm. However, this latest installment seems to lack effort from the writers, directors, and actors, with some critics suggesting that the chemistry among the cast members is less convincing than before.
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2 ‘Wagons East’ (1994)
0%
In simpler terms, the movie titled “Wagons East” is a humorous Western film set in the 1860s. The main character, James Harlow, is a wagon master with an alcohol problem, who is employed by a group of settlers to transport them back East. Along their journey, tensions arise due to personality differences among the travelers, and it remains uncertain whether the challenging terrain or internal conflicts will cause their demise.
Characters, Not People
One significant criticism of this movie is that its characters seem more like stereotypes than real individuals. For instance, there’s the gay bookstore owner, a prostitute, and the alcoholic. Regrettably, this was one of actor John Candy’s last performances before his passing, and unfortunately, it didn’t provide a strong finish to his career.
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1 ‘Simon Sez’ (1999)
0%
Dennis Rodman, who was once a professional basketball player, also tried his hand at acting for a while. In the action-packed movie called “Simon Sez“, he portrayed Interpol agent Simon. His mission was to save a woman who had been kidnapped in France. However, to reach her, he must navigate past an arms dealer and his cohorts.
A Surface Watch
Action movies often face criticism for their heavy reliance on explosions and intense fight scenes over substance. Simon Says, unfortunately, seems to perpetuate this stereotype. The movie is characterized by its loudness and speed, yet it lacks depth and feels more like a diversion from the rudimentary narrative hidden beneath the stunts and visual effects.
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2024-12-01 02:02