“Fifty Shades of Grey” is out in theaters, whether you like it or not. But believe it or not, the reviews aren’t actually that bad. They could be better, but with everyone’s bar set extremely low, some critics came out of the film surprised, but still not turned onto the film.
From the consensus of the reviews, it would seem that Dakota Johnson is actually the reason to go see the film, if you feel compelled to go see it at all. “Fifty Shades of Grey is by no means a masterpiece,” wrote reviewer JimmyO for JoBlo’s Movie Emporium. “Yet there are moments where it rises above the material thanks to the lovely Dakota Johnson who is luminous, and a director that helps paint a very pretty picture.”
However, despite certain parts of the film being actually witty and showing more characterization that one would expect, the film is still a slog, rising slightly above the book its based on, but is still in the low denomination of films.
SreenRant’s Kofi Outlaw wrote that despite “a solid cast, good director and unique premise,” these factors “only help to expose the inherent weaknesses of the source novel.”
Emma Dibdin of Digital Spy referenced the now-public knowledge of arguments E.L. James, the writer of the book the film’s based on, and director Sam Taylor-Johnson had about the direction of the film. “…had James been overruled more often Fifty Shades of Grey could have been something genuinely extraordinary: an adult blockbuster in every sense,” Dibdin wrote, also writing that the film is at its best when it ignores the book entirely.
Aisle Seat’s Mike McGranaghan has one of the more damning responses to the movie and the fact that it hinges on something as problematic as Grey’s sex life. “”Were it not based on a massive best-seller, no one would have made such a reprehensible movie. If you think rape is a turn-on, this is the film for you,” he wrote. “Personally, I’m perfectly happy not to be included in your ranks.” Another person who hated it is MLive.com’s John Serba. “Every line of dialogue is loaded. Loaded like a diaper,” he wrote.
What did you think about the film? Give your opinions in the comments section below.