The movie that suprised you the most

[akun50]

Basically, has a movie come along that shattered your pre-formed conceptions about it so much that it was actually a shock for you?

Now, when I say "Shattered your pre-formed conceptions", it goes both ways. A movie that seemed (through trailers, the leaked plot, the people involved or by a friend's recommendation) like it would be awesome that turned out to be an enormous turd...

AND/OR

A movie that looked like it was going to be nothing but tripe that shocked you with how good it was.

If you've got one of either, list it here.

---

A good movie gone bad:

Day of the Dead - I love the cheesy Night of the Dead, I love Dawn of the Dead (both versions). I HATE Day of the Dead. With a passion.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3 - I was at the upper end of the age group when this came out, but as corny as the previous two had been, this one sucked so hard, that I couldn't stand the franchise. This movie KILLED my interest in the entire series.

Super Mario Brothers - Video Game to Movies have a very low chance of success. Tron got away with it because it's Tron. Super Mario Brothers is NOT Tron. It could have gotten away with this had it been released back when the Super Mario Super Show was still on the air. Not afterwards.

---

Bad movie gone good:

Aliens vs Predator: Requiem - As I said in the Worst Movies thread, this one managed to surpass my sour expectations. Not really a GOOD movie, but a lot better than it's predecessor.

Evil Dead: Army of Darkness - I went to see this with low expectations and no prior knowledge of the Evil Dead series. I came out worshipping Bruce Campbell.

Dogma - I don't like Ben Affleck or Matt Damon, as prior to this movie, something about the former's smile just irritated the living shit out of me, and the latter has never really made much of an impression on me. Add in that I also don't care for Clerks, despite the love my classmates showered Kevin Smith's works with, and I didn't actually see this movie until it was on Comedy Central. I caught part of it while flipping channels. I was stunned that I wound up liking this movie. I liked Ben Affleck (if only in this movie), and Matt Damon actually managed to impress me with his role in this.

 

[garedelyon]

As terrible as this is going to sound, in the bad movie gone good -

The Longest Yard.

and The Dukes of Hazzard

Yeah I'm nuts, but I was in a particular mood where I really enjoyed these. It might have had something to do with the people I was with...

And, although I should have expected it, my friends raved about the Stormrider movie as being awesome, and I, in my folly, believed them.

What utter crap that was.

 

[MilesMortim]

Hitman

I was expecting a horrible ripoff of the game and a some clueless director slaughtering the potential of the movie. I was fortunately proven horribly wrong. The plot was entertaining and Timothy Olyphant was funny, cynical, & had a personality that was believable for the movie. The martial arts choreography, gun fights, sword fights, and general intrigue of the film was astounding and awesome.

 

[locke69]

Cast Away

I heard that it was a bad movie from nearly everyone, so I never watched it in theaters. Cue it coming to VHS. Cue a local movie rental get a few copies and instantly throws them in the "To be sold" shelves. Then cue my sister in a movie buying mood, finding the movie and then forcing me to watch it with her.

I found it enjoyable, far more then I thought I would.

Rocky Horror Picture Show

I'm going to get flamed for this, but when I first watched this movie, I couldn't care less about it. A few years later, while my siblings and I were bored and we had beaten whatever game we were playing, my brother stuck the movie in. My interest in the movie increased. A few more years after that, I watched it again after I raided my brother's room for a game he took from me. I was hooked then to the movie.

Sadly, now of days I just listen to the movie for a couple of the songs and to remember my only visit to a live showing of the movie.


Hmm, I seem to have blocked out whatever movies I wanted to see but turned into piles of buffalo shit.

 

[demon of humanity]

in the name of the king: For an uwe bolle movie this one turned out pretty damn decent unlike his previous forrays

 

[akun50]

Gold To Shit

Oh, I should probably mention this one, just because I was so very very VERY stupid about it:

Dungeons and Dragons

My Thoughts Before The Movie: Wow! This is written BY D&D Nerbs FOR D&D Nerds! It can't possible fail!

Me Now: BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAaaaaaa.... :blue:

In a sadistic sense, I'm actually looking forward to the rumored second movie just to see how shitty it will turn out.

Street Fighter: The Movie - I think I saw this just because I liked the first Mortal Kombat movie (Johnny Cage's punch to Goro's nuts was FUCKING WIN!). I could probably rant on how crappy this was, but I was mostly watching for the shots of Cammy's ass.

--------------

Above My Expectations, But Still Shit

Doom - To be honest, most of this was still crap, but I did like the 'FPS Sequence'. Probably the only thing in the entire damn movie that was actually worth seeing. Maybe the next time they get the idea of converting an FPS into a movie, they should just make a lengthy 'FPS Sequence', like Doom's. It'd be a thousand times better than most of the shit they try and tack on.

--------------

Low Expectations To WIN!

Men In Tights - I didn't know Mel Brooks before this movie, though I'd seen parts of Blazing Saddles (at the time, I was too young to enjoy that movie). I credit this movie for saving my sense of humor. Soon after, I discovered other works by him that I liked, including Space Balls, Blazing Saddles (again, but I picked up on the humor this time), and History of the World, Part I.

 

[sigfried27]

Rocky Horror Picture Show

I'm going to get flamed for this, but when I first watched this movie, I couldn't care less about it. A few years later, while my siblings and I were bored and we had beaten whatever game we were playing, my brother stuck the movie in. My interest in the movie increased. A few more years after that, I watched it again after I raided my brother's room for a game he took from me. I was hooked then to the movie.

Sadly, now of days I just listen to the movie for a couple of the songs and to remember my only visit to a live showing of the movie

And here I would have thought that I'd be one of the only people here to have gone to see a live showing of it. Granted, I can't share a general appretiation of the movie with you, since the movie is really not a very good stand alone movie.

Seeing it at a theater however is a great deal of fun, even though the one time that I went, some people brought a 5-10 pound bag of rice for the wedding scene, and since they had far too much, they threw the rice throughout the whole movie. But when I did go, there was a person who had memorized the script of comments to go along with the movie, and it is amusing.

 

[Legacy|iB]

Stardust. This movie surprised me quite a bit, and in a very pleasant way.

Now, I expected an ambitious, but haphazard fantasy-esque movie and nothing more. Nothing big, nothing special, and certainly nothing worth mentioning to that great of an extent.

Instead, it was a clever and very nicely done and imagined movie. The story was fresh and was a lot of fun, the characters were unique (especially Captain Shakespeare - seriously, Robert de Niro as a gay pirate captain...you'd be surprised just how entertaining he was!), and the general idea and progression of it was beautifully executed. I watched it more to kill some time and initially thought of it as just another movie for me to screw around and watch until something better comes along. I was quite shocked and very much blown away at how well done Stardust was.

The setup of it was so soothing, so fairy tale-ish and certainly not cliched or of the usual. Hell, it's one of those kind of movies that warms the deep cockles of my heart and otherwise brightens my day.

So, that settles it - once it comes out on Blu-Ray, I'm buying it. I enjoyed it a lot, and I will most certainly pay money for movies like it.

 

[Steel]

Good to bad:

Any HP after the first two (ie anything not directed by Columbus)

Bad to good:
The third matrix movie. Although that's probably because I'm the only one I know who liked it. Yes, I have bad taste. Yes, this has already been established.

 

[akun50]

Good to bad:

Any HP after the first two (ie anything not directed by Columbus)

:sisi:

I think the third one was terrible because I heard the director "doesn't like magic". If he doesn't like magic, why the @#$@ing hell was he directing a movie ABOUT WIZARDS?!
:flameon: :spank: :rant:

 

[Steel]

I called the third HP "The Birds."

The fourth one was "Hermione Fanwank."

The fifth one was "Pretty colors Fanwank."

 

[InternetLOL]

The fourth one was "Hermione Fanwank."

The fifth one was "Pretty colors Fanwank."

I knew I heard someone else masturbating!

Er. Someone. Someone masturbat-

 

[Steel]

I wasn't one of the ones being wanked. I don't particularly like Hermione as a Harry pairing (managed to struggle through ONE of those fics EVER), and the fifth one I was already Eh about the series because of the sixth book.

 

[Sect]

In a sadistic sense, I'm actually looking forward to the rumored second movie just to see how shitty it will turn out.

You mean the one that's been out for two years? Not too bad, actually.

Well, not too bad in the AvP:R sense. It's a SciFi Production, if that means anything to you.

 

[OniGanon]

I second Stardust. I was expecting it to be a chick flick, because it was so vehemently recommended to me by a female friend who hasn't quite grasped that my taste in movies are usually very different to hers. But while it is a romance story, it is really well done, with an intriguing plot (that isn't just about the romance), clever dialogue, great acting (especially on De Niro's part, lol), and good sfx. I think this is a movie pretty much anyone can enjoy.

It's also a good date movie...

 

[kaiseryuu]

I'm thirding Stardust, I watched it due to the fist recomendation on this thread, and it was okay, until they meet the pirates. Then it got great.

 

[MilesMortim]

Hell, Stardust was amazing in the subtle applications of humor and action.

Spoilers:

For example, at the beginning and near the end of the movie, the tavern in the town bordering the dimensional rift was called the "Slaughtered Prince." How the vanity of the witch pursuing Yvaine the star led to an accelerated degredation of her beauty (Lamia tries to use magic to fix her face and her boobs sag in response) :snigger: . Or Robert de Niro's charcter's penchant for dressing in women's clothing and dancing to classical music (seeing such a masculine actor pull that off without a hitch was awesome :rofl: :snigger: ).

Not to be forgotten is the fight scenes between Tristain Thorn and Septimus, in which the remaining witch manipulated Septimus' body to fight via a voodoo doll. That one of the best sword-fights I've seen, especially how they pulled off the boneless act when using the sword. :blink: :huh!: :jawdrop:

Spoilers End.

The dialogue and plot take a while to set up, but it is well worth as the remaining princes chase for the throne, the Lilim (witch sisters) search for Yvain the star, and Tristain matures into a man. It is well worth seeing twice or thrice.

 

[Sect]

Hell, Stardust was amazing in the subtle applications of humor and action.

Spoilers:

For example, at the beginning and near the end of the movie, the tavern in the town bordering the dimensional rift was called the "Slaughtered Prince." How the vanity of the witch pursuing Yvaine the star led to an accelerated degredation of her beauty (Lamia tries to use magic to fix her face and her boobs sag in response) :snigger: . Or Robert de Niro's charcter's penchant for dressing in women's clothing and dancing to classical music (seeing such a masculine actor pull that off without a hitch was awesome :rofl: :snigger: ).

Not to be forgotten is the fight scenes between Tristain Thorn and Septimus, in which the remaining witch manipulated Septimus' body to fight via a voodoo doll. That one of the best sword-fights I've seen, especially how they pulled off the boneless act when using the sword. :blink: :huh!: :jawdrop:

Spoilers End.

The dialogue and plot take a while to set up, but it is well worth as the remaining princes chase for the throne, the Lilim (witch sisters) search for Yvain the star, and Tristain matures into a man. It is well worth seeing twice or thrice.

I watched Stardust right after watching War (which is another surprising movie; why did a decent movie like that have such a sucky ending?), and it pumped me up. Very twisty, as I expected from Gaiman, with awesome characters. Robert deNiro really stole the show with his VERY un-deNiro character. I especially like the Prince's raid on his ship, when the Prince walks in on deNiro. ^_^

Basically, deNiro was the "surprising" aspect for me.

 

[akun50]

I have to revive this thread to make mention of this:

Superhero Movie.

I went in expecting a shitty mishmash story, stupid plotlines forcibly interjected, and an excess of fart and gay jokes that are intended to carry a majority of the movie, like Epic Movie; but I daresay, this movie was surprisingly good.

This one takes a fairly competent idea (Superheroes) and runs with it. And it definitely scores.

The main character, who becomes the Dragonfly, is like Peter Parker, but not entirely. His powers are similar in some ways, yet wholly different as well. The Dragonfly doesn't get webbing, but he IS pretty hard to hurt.

The villian, Hourglass, at first seeming like a ripoff of the Goblin, has an understandable desire for immortality, given that he's dying.

Both of these characters are interesting in that they would be justifiably intriguing characters, not simply a shitty retread of an existing character.

In fact, instead of trying to mock several movies/concepts at once, like Epic Movie did; it largely follows a storyline akin to the first Spiderman movie, and I have to say, that it was a lot more like the first Naked Gun movie or Hot Shots.

Oh, there are a few fart and gay jokes, and a number of eye-rollingly stupid moments, but the writers and director didn't try to carry the entire movie with them.

Most shocking of all is Brent Spinner (Yes, Data from Star Trek: Next Generation). He's good as both a facilitating scientist and as comedic element.

In fact, if they can keep the humor as high-brow as this, I'm seriously hoping to see a sequel.

 

[SotF]

Dungeons and Dragons

My Thoughts Before The Movie: Wow! This is written BY D&D Nerbs FOR D&D Nerds! It can't possible fail!

Me Now: BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAaaaaaa.... :blue:

In a sadistic sense, I'm actually looking forward to the rumored second movie just to see how shitty it will turn out.

The first one was great because it had the feel of a beginning campaign that most gamers had experiences with in Junior High. Even with the stupid member of the party not quite figuring a section out and thus forcing the dungeon to be dropped (Remember the cave to get the scepter?) and the character who wants to multiclass as a Paladin being stuck doing the honorable thing rather than the smart thing (The Rogue actually challenging the villain rather than sneak attacking him in the tower).

The second one (Wrath of the Dragon God) has the feel of a matured campaign that had been going on for a while. Not as much focus on the party staying in one place (The Party is split early on) and several interesting items coming into play. Not to mention the cameos of monsters and items that act like they ought to (The lich acting like one rather than the Beholder in the first movie). Plus Damadar actually is a credible villain now that developed from his previous abilities.

 

[The Eromancer]

You've probably heard of this film.

Bad to FUCKIN' GREAT!!

Equilibrium

Personally I thought it was going to be shit, especially after I'd watched the second matrix movie I wasn't up for any more actors who didn't use any emotion in their acting . I'm looking at you Keanu!! :rant: But then here my father comes (should never doubt the King of Nerds) and insists I watch this movie he finally conned me into it and BAM!! Boy was I shocked!

Good too "I-- AM! THE GREAT MIGHTY POO! AND I AM GOING TO THROW MY SH-" (you get the idea)

Dead or Alive. Was there ever a more fanboyish moment in m,y life that I honestly considered someone would make a DECENT movie of this exce;ent fighting game franchise? Yes, yes there was. Should have looks at the director before I even got NEAR the damn thing. I HATE YOU CORY YUEN. hate you. :angry:

 

[Blinks77]

Bad to Goods

Unbreakable

Looking at the trailers for it i was vastly underwhelemed but one dark and boring night when the internet failed to keep my attention i watched it and found myself pleasantly suprised.


Troy

Hector is a god among men and i'd happily follow him into hades. Most of the other characters deserve far worse than they got. Being serious for a moment everytime i'd heard of it people had slammed it. I honestl quite enjoyed it. Well, at least until Hector died then i waited in vicious glee for Achilies to bite it too.

 

[akun50]

I Am Legend - considering how cheesy Wild Wild West and MiB2 were, and the fact that I avoided Bad Boys entirely, I decided to check up on the original version of this movie. Needless to say, I wasn't very impressed with the story it had originated from.

My response to the story of the Original "I Am Legend": Vampires becoming not only the dominant species, but the only species? How the hell would they survive? They need blood! Not to mention, they can't come out in daytime!

But an online review convinced me to at least give a chance, but I was going to give it the stinkeye.

This movie actually had me on the verge of tears at one point, which was a total shock, since I don't cry much at movies unless I've literally got something in my eye or it's genuinely sad movie (but I typical avoid those).

I liked this movie, but I can't say I'd watch it again. Will Smith did an excellent portrayl of a man barely on the verge of sanity with a daunting and rather frustrating problem. The backstory, while a tad cliche, is still a good one, and thankfully diverges a good deal from the original.

This is probably one of those "At Least See It Once" sort of movies, where you can appreciate how well it was made and the overall story.

Just don't go in with a bit of disbelief and try not to expect "Agent Jay" or "Fresh Prince" here.

 

[parker]

I Am Legend - considering how cheesy Wild Wild West and MiB2 were, and the fact that I avoided Bad Boys entirely, I decided to check up on the original version of this movie. Needless to say, I wasn't very impressed with the story it had originated from.

My response to the story of the Original "I Am Legend": Vampires becoming not only the dominant species, but the only species? How the hell would they survive? They need blood! Not to mention, they can't come out in daytime!

But an online review convinced me to at least give a chance, but I was going to give it the stinkeye.

This movie actually had me on the verge of tears at one point, which was a total shock, since I don't cry much at movies unless I've literally got something in my eye or it's genuinely sad movie (but I typical avoid those).

I liked this movie, but I can't say I'd watch it again. Will Smith did an excellent portrayl of a man barely on the verge of sanity with a daunting and rather frustrating problem. The backstory, while a tad cliche, is still a good one, and thankfully diverges a good deal from the original.

This is probably one of those "At Least See It Once" sort of movies, where you can appreciate how well it was made and the overall story.

Just don't go in with a bit of disbelief and try not to expect "Agent Jay" or "Fresh Prince" here.

It's the exact opposite for me. I loved the book, but the movie was so-so. The movie made for a good action movie and maybe game, and the book made for a good thing to read if you want to think about life.

 

[akun50]

Shattered expectations in a good way

Iron Man.

Superhero movies have always been on a tenuous border for me, just like Video Game Movies. I want them to be good, but hoping just isn't enough at times.

Some movies have drastically gone beyond my sour expectations, like Doom, which in all honestly, I was expecting Uwe Boll to turn Doom into a blatant ripoff of Turok, then make a movie about Turok that was a blatant ripoff of Duke Nuke'em, then make a Duke Nuke'em movie that was about making prize-winning apple pies.

It's too easy to take a good concept and FUBAR it so badly that (to quote Yahzee, creator of Zero Punctuation, on The Escapist's website), "They couldn't have missed the point worse than if they shot in the wrong direction and the point was in another country entirely."

So, I'm very thankful that Iron Man was worth the non-matinee price I paid (hey, I only need one kidney to live, right?). Despite not really following Marvel in over ten years, and not being much of a fan of Iron Man to begin with, this movie was AWESOME and probably one of the best adaptations I've ever seen.

The movie isn't without some eyebrow raising moments (notably, the "power cell change" scene with Pepper), but in the end, I enjoyed it a lot.