I’ve seen a lot of movies in my life and, for the most part, I have enjoyed most of them. I don’t know if it’s because I am selective or just because I have a low threshold for what entertains me. Ultraviolet, Pocahontas and The Lost World: Jurassic Park probably top the list of movies that I didn’t like at all. Even looking back on something like Suicide Squad, I was entertained enough…or maybe I’m just being generous.
There are plenty of movies I have seen and enjoyed, but have walked out of the theater thinking, “I shouldn’t like that.” In spite of my best efforts and the low quality of said movies, I can’t help myself. We all have guilty pleasures, but these aren’t even guilty pleasures. I have no shame in expressing my love for these movies, as misplaced as it may be.
Here are some of my top “I Shouldn’t Like That” movies.
Speed Racer
I was reminded how much I enjoyed Speed Racer when it popped up on TV recently. Having all these movie channels hasn’t impacted my productivity, but has given me something new to put on in the background. I saw Speed Racer in the theater and immediately loved it. I love all of the colors, all of the chaotic action and the style for style’s sake. The movie is ridiculous and filled with stellar dialogue like the following:
Pops: You think you can drive a car and change the world? It doesn’t work like that!
Speed: Maybe not, but it’s the only thing I know how to do and I gotta do something.
That is terrible and awesome all at once, much like the entire movie.
Batman Forever
There have been eight Batman movies, not including the Adam West feature but including Batman v Superman. I have seen all of them except for Batman v Superman. Without seeing the Caped Crusader’s most recent adventure, I can confidently say that Batman Returns may crack my top four. I’m not sure if I like it more than The Dark Knight Rises, but I could make a case. Batman Forever found a nice middle ground between Batman Returns and Batman and Robin. It’s like Joel Schumacher didn’t feel emboldened enough to go full Schumacher with his first Batman movie. So Batman Forever gives us some of Burton’s tortured hero, but also plenty of Schumacher’s neon.
A Knight’s Tale
I walked out of the theater wanting to hate A Knight’s Tale. It was ridiculous, I didn’t really like Heath Ledger and adding 70s rock to a medieval joust pushed every boundary of reason. The more I thought about Paul Bettany’s performance, though, and the ballroom scene set to “Golden Years,” the more I realized I loved A Knight’s Tale. Not only did I love A Knight’s Tale, but it was one of my favorite movies. It is a staple in my life, right up there with Star Wars and the MCU. I watch A Knight’s Tale every time I pack to leave on a long trip, which means I have seen it a lot. A few years ago an extended cut of the movie was released, and it’s like I experienced one of my favorite movies for the first time. I seriously shouldn’t like A Knight’s Tale as much as I do, but I can’t help myself.
Honestly, I shouldn’t like any of these movies as much as I do. Objectively, they’re not very good, but a lack of quality doesn’t keep them from being entertaining. I’m fine with enjoying things that aren’t very good like McDonalds cheeseburgers and melted Velveeta. However, we should be willing to admit that we like something that isn’t very good and embrace our guilty passion.
What are your favorite “I Shouldn’t Like That” movies?
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