Was the Audience Rating for 'The Last Jedi' on Rotten Tomatoes Accurate?

There are two camps when it comes to viewing The Last Jedi: those who absolutely loved it and those who found it to be a disappointment. The movie is currently sitting at a 47 score on Rotten Tomatoes, which, based on the polarizing reception, appears to be quite accurate.

Rotten Tomatoes' Audience Rating Revisited

Rotten Tomatoes (RT) employs a different method for its audience rating compared to its critic ratings. The critic rating is a ratio of positive to negative reviews from a selection of journalists who choose to have their reviews appear on the site. The audience rating, however, is based on users themselves rating the film using their RT accounts. Importantly, the tooltip on the audience rating describes it as the percentage of users who rate the film 3.5 or higher.

Given that not everyone who watched the film has a RT account, and not all account holders felt compelled to rate it, the audience rating is naturally skewed towards those with a more decisive opinion. Rotten Tomatoes' system thus favors individuals who are motivated to express their sentiments, essentially turning the rating into an online poll.

The Rigging Theory

Many fans have argued that the audience rating was rigged, pointing out the predictable nature of the movie's plot and character cliches. Here’s why the argument for a rigged audience rating is compelling:

Character Cliches

Many of the main characters in The Last Jedi rely on tropes seen in far earlier films. For example:

Poe Dameron: A rugged, rebellious, youthful pilot who doesn't listen to authority but is ultimately teachable. This is reminiscent of Top Gun and Iron Eagle. Kylo Ren: A troubled teenager struggling with his identity, echoing characters like John Bender from The Breakfast Club and Will Hunting from Good Will Hunting. Finn: A brave warrior struggling with his identity, reminiscent of Independence Day. Rose Tico: Someone vowing revenge and clutching a talisman, similar to scenes in Braveheart, where William Wallace carries a flower his wife gave him. Luke Skywalker: A man isolated from society, coaxed back to fight for a good cause, akin to John Wick and Unforgiven.

While the integration of these cliches is not entirely new, The Last Jedi seems to have amplified them to an excessive degree.

Waste and Magical Conclusions

One of the criticisms levied against the movie is its perceived waste. Benicio Del Toro, a highly talented actor, had a relatively small and unfulfilling cameo, seeming only to confirm his allegiance for money. This and other plot elements feel forced rather than nuanced.

The film also runs longer than necessary, causing some viewers to find its pacing and character development painful. The portrayal of Finn and Rose's relationship, despite the significance of the medallion, feels awkward.

Epic Fails in Special Effects and Storytelling

The visual effects in The Last Jedi are solid, but the film ultimately fails to live up to its grand-scale storytelling, let alone match the quality of the original trilogy’s sacrifices. Rogue One, for instance, was considered a standout because the audience felt the sacrifices were meaningful, even if it was a known outcome.

In conclusion, while Rotten Tomatoes' audience rating may reflect the polarized opinions of viewers, it is also influenced by the film's reliance on tropes and its lack of substance. The movie may have been more memorable if it had eschewed familiar storytelling elements and focused on more impactful and innovative narrative choices.