The point of a review is to provide an informed opinion that might help a reader decide whether to invest money, time, and effort into a particular form of entertainment, like a movie or TV series or museum exhibit.
Something I have observed for years is that it is easier (and more fun, in a gleefully cruel way) to write a negative review. This is something we could observe in the hallways of any school. Imagine a crowd of people gathered around your locker as you sang the praises of "Mary," who is simply an exemplary human being. Imagine how quickly the crowd would disperse once they realize that no "dirt" is being shared.
On the other hand, if you want that crowd to hang around, try sharing rumors and innuendo. In fact, the more famous and accomplished the student, the more we tend to enjoy the "fall." It's as American as apple pie.
Here is the first graf of a review from today's Washington Post that illustrates this truth:
It would be hard to imagine an R-rated action comedy more tedious and unengaging than “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” — despite all the car chases and would-be wisecracks — were it not for the existence of “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” the 2017 sleep aid to which this sequel is a worthy successor. Once again starring, in titular order, Ryan Reynolds as executive protection agent Michael Bryce, Salma Hayek as con artist Sonia Kincaid and Samuel L. Jackson as her assassin husband, Darius, the film throws this trio into a scenario much more complicated than is worth caring about.
Readers immediately sense that the reviewer is not a fan, and that the reviewer has a sly and stinging voice... one that may provide even more fun as the piece continues.
I also appreciated the immediate connection to a prequel to this film, evidently equally horrible. This can help readers who happened to see that earlier film while warning away some readers who might want to add this to their Netflix list.
There is nothing very fair in that first paragraph, though there is an attempt to include some mention of action and (lame) comedy. But that's OK. A review is not designed to present an objective, balanced report. It is designed to give the writer a chance to build an argument, based on personal research and drawing on a long list of other films or programs or shows or products.
One more point in favor of negative reviews: think of how difficult is is to explain exactly why you love x movie or song so much. The more you are enchanted by something, the less logical your explanation as to why.
It's like trying to clearly and concisely answer the classic: "Why do you love me?" that has stumped humans for millennia.
If you have a choice, rip something.
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