MovieChat Forums > Steven Spielberg Discussion > I really don't like Spielberg

I really don't like Spielberg

posted 11 years ago by collinfrey26
9 replies | jump to latest

I do understand that he is immensely talented in his directing skills but I do not like that way he works. I can sit down and watch any of his films for entertainment and I believe that it why he is so popular. Everyone wants to be entertained. He has a great aesthetic quality and can direct great actors. But I do get slightly annoyed sometimes. For one thing, I find his films very manipulative. The good characters always have bad things happen to them and the bad characters are completely evil. I also do not feel Spielberg's films leave room for interpretation and discussion; he always feels the need to provide complete closure. This goes along with his need to create success stories; almost all of his films end with the main character overcoming their problems. When you look at his "tamer" films like Indiana Jones, the deaths are completely emotionless and the evil characters are shot with no attention payed to the fact that they are also humans. The topics Spielberg chooses make it hard for people to criticize the film; who is going to criticize a film about slavery or the Holocaust? Finally, this is not as much about his films but how they are marketed, he really plays into the fact that so many people love him. For example, the trailer for Lincoln said "Bring home the most acclaimed film of the year." I'm not trying to sound mean but more just explaining my opinions. None of his movies are necessarily bad at all. And none of my criticisms are "bad things," they are just things that don't rub me very well. It's the same reason I can't watch super hero movies. I hate it when people die without any care give to them. I don't particularly like it when a movie wraps everything up for me; I do like to figure things out on my own sometimes.

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[–] tombrun 11 years ago

I agree with mostly everything you said. But even though I love my David Lynch movies, I find it very relaxing to pop in a "shallow" adventure movie now and again. I'm usually pretty exhausted after work, so one of Steven Spielberg's movies is the perfect kind of entertainment when I need it.

[–] Yucahaor 11 years ago

This might sound like a major shock to you, but every director in the history of mankind makes films that manipulate the audience. That is just how the medium of film works, or hell, any other art form out there. Spielberg just happens to be the most famous director in mainstream culture so everyone likes to bag on him just because he's popular.

[–] collinfrey26 11 years ago

Some of his films seem like American propoganda

[–] Spoffdarko 11 years ago

The topics Spielberg chooses make it hard for people to criticize the film; who is going to criticize a film about slavery or the Holocaust?

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This literally covers two of his films, you talk like he has made nothing else.

Do you think that making a movie about a little alien who is lost on earth was not opening himself to potential criticism? or how about an island full of DNA reproduced dinosaurs? or even pre-crime in the future due to psychics?

He gets loads of criticism (just look at this board for starters) and the "critics" seem to rip into him pretty often.

I'm leaving. I've assessed the situation, and I'm going.

[–] collinfrey26 11 years ago

I meant manipulation in the sense that the "villains" have no feelings or human emotions. It may not have been the correct word to use. It allows for a lack in character development when the protagonists are victimized and practically perfect. You feel instant sympathy for them. I feel like there needs to be a balance.

[–] Gus-69 10 years ago

Shallow, as in A.I. or Munich? LMAO.

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[–] tombrun 10 years ago

No. "Shallow" as in Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, or Jaws. Movies that are meant primarily as entertainment and you don't have to analyze it or think about it too much to understand what's going on. I really thought this was self explanatory...