New movies have been filling the theaters, drawing in viewers. But it’s begun to feel like the money is spent more on the popcorn and slushies than a movie worth watching. I shouldn’t have to wonder if a movie will have cheesy effects, cliches, or simply seem to blur together everytime I go to the theater.
The stories and creative minds required to make movies often go unappreciated by the masses–and their employers. Has money become more prioritized than the expression of the world through an artist’s eyes being shown on the screen? Or, it could simply be the exhaustion that comes with treating creativity like something made on a factory line. How many stories can be made before old cliches are exhausted and new ones are created?
The amazing movies of the past few years must be discussed. Pieces such as Barbie, Oppenheimer, and Everything Everywhere All at Once all placed in the top 5 highest-grossing films of 2023 and 2022. With Everything Everywhere All at Once becoming A24’s highest grossing film ever. These movies were so successful due to many factors. From striking visuals to stories so human they hurt, the films had lessons to teach the audience and obvious care given to the details. These are what make a good movie.
Amongst these details was a unique style, individual to each movie, another key factor in creating a good film. Barbie’s set design was made to the proportions of Barbieland, while Oppenheimer had wide shots and earthy, striking graphics. These personalized styles made the movies stand out, and added a deep significance.
Barbie herself was a cliche, but because of this movie, she gained a new voice and her image accomplished something completely new. These old cliches must be split open and reworked into something more meaningful. For cliches like the nerd or white-haired mentor to be so repeated, there must be some deeper meaning behind them. Movies that are worth watching should always look to create something new and meaningful.
All in all, movies for viewers of all ages and walks of life should have genuine hard work and meaning put into them.