This Hit M. Night Shyamalan Kids Movie Has A Shockingly Low Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
When he was first making a name for himself in Hollywood, M. Night Shyamalan wrote a hit kids movie that many would have expected to be a critical and commercial success. However, the film has since developed a reputation for being one of the director's more divisive and underappreciated projects, with a shockingly low Rotten Tomatoes audience score that may come as a surprise to many.
The movie in question is "Stuart Little," the 1999 live-action adaptation of the classic children's book by E.B. White. Shyamalan was brought in to work on the screenplay, collaborating with veteran writers M. Night Shyamalan and Greg Brooker to bring the story of a mouse adopted by a human family to the big screen.
At the time of its release, "Stuart Little" was a major box office hit, grossing over $300 million worldwide and resonating with audiences of all ages. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its charming visuals, heartwarming story, and solid performances from the cast, which included Michael J. Fox as the voice of the titular character.
However, in the years since its debut, "Stuart Little" has developed a more polarized reputation, with many viewers expressing disappointment or even outright dislike for the film. This is perhaps best reflected in its Rotten Tomatoes audience score, which currently stands at a shockingly low 37% - a far cry from the 73% critical rating.
So why has this once-beloved kids' movie fallen so far out of favor with audiences? There are a few potential factors at play.
For one, the film's blend of live-action and CGI, while cutting-edge at the time, has not aged particularly well. The visual effects, especially those used to bring Stuart to life, can appear dated and unconvincing to modern viewers more accustomed to the seamless integration of computer-generated characters in contemporary films.
Additionally, some have criticized the movie's handling of certain themes and plot points, arguing that it oversimplifies or glosses over more complex issues. The adoption storyline, for example, has been seen by some as overly simplistic or even unrealistic in its portrayal of the process. Others have taken issue with the film's treatment of Stuart's mouse identity, feeling that it reinforces problematic stereotypes or fails to fully explore the character's unique perspective.
Furthermore, the movie's tone has been a point of contention for some viewers. While many praised the film's mix of whimsical humor and heartwarming family drama upon its release, others have found it to be uneven or, at times, overly saccharine. The decision to frame Stuart's mouse-ness as more of a quirky trait than a significant challenge or source of conflict has also been a point of criticism for those who felt the film missed an opportunity to explore more meaningful themes.
It's worth noting that the film's negative reception is not universal. There are still many fans who fondly remember "Stuart Little" as a beloved childhood classic, and the movie continues to have its defenders, who argue that it succeeds as a charming, family-friendly adventure, even if it may not hold up to more rigorous scrutiny.
Ultimately, the declining reputation of "Stuart Little" serves as a reminder that audience tastes and perceptions can shift over time, and that even films that were once widely celebrated can become the subject of reevaluation and criticism. For M. Night Shyamalan, it's an interesting footnote in his filmography - a project that, while a commercial success, has struggled to maintain the same level of goodwill from viewers that it once enjoyed.
As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, with audiences becoming increasingly discerning and critical, it remains to be seen whether other beloved childhood films will face a similar fate, or if "Stuart Little" will remain a unique case study in the fickle nature of audience appreciation. For now, the movie stands as a curious example of how a once-celebrated kids' film can become the subject of such surprisingly low regard from the very viewers it was meant to enchant.