The year 1998 marked an intriguing period in popular culture. And Jackie Chan was laying the groundwork for his eventual breakthrough in Hollywood with the film Rush Hour. Chan had already established himself as a prominent figure in Asia and Europe, courtesy of successes such as Drunken Master, Police Story, and Armour of God. But the actor inspired an individual to create a review aggregator we now know as Rotten Tomatoes.
Senh Dong held a deep admiration for Jackie Chan and was thrilled upon discovering the impending release of Rush Hour. Eager to reignite his enthusiasm for Chan’s films, he decided to scour the internet for reviews of Chan’s previous works.
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Dedicated Jackie Chan Fan Invented Rotten Tomatoes
Regrettably, during the summer of 1998, Senh encountered difficulties locating substantial reviews. Undeterred, he opted to construct a dedicated fan page to document Jackie Chan’s filmography and provide updates on Rush Hour. Yet, when the movie’s release faced delays, he found himself at a standstill. Now, with his project in limbo, Senh grappled with how to occupy his spare time until the movie eventually hit the theaters.
Recognizing a notable void in the internet’s informational landscape, he took the initiative to compile diverse reviews for upcoming movies, launching the first page dedicated to Neil Labute’s Your Friends and Neighbors. Co-founder Stephen Wang revealed that Senh subsequently pioneered the distinctive features of Rotten Tomatoes, including the Tomatometer, fresh and rotten classifications for reviews, and the establishment of the Rotten Tomatoes name.
Fandom indeed holds its own allure, and Senh’s admiration for Jackie Chan fostered a space where like-minded enthusiasts could congregate, sharing their mutual appreciation and insights for the films they hold dear.
Zack Snyder Might Not Be Happy With This Invention
Despite creating high levels of anticipation, Zack Snyder’s films frequently confronted critical obstacles on Rotten Tomatoes. While praised for their visually impressive and stylistic qualities, several of Snyder’s projects, such as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League were met with a blend of reviews and moderate receptions from both audiences and critics.
While some commended Snyder’s directorial finesse and ambitious storytelling, others critiqued the lack of narrative coherence and character development, ultimately resulting in unsatisfactory Rotten Tomatoes ratings. Snyder’s films persist in triggering divisive debates, exemplifying the diverse viewpoints they provoke within the film community.
Take, for example, 2013’s Man of Steel. This revamped Superman film arrived just a short while after Bryan Singer and Brandon Routh’s Superman Returns failed to captivate viewers. Despite being intended as the launchpad for the DCEU, it didn’t garner the positive reception that DC and WB had anticipated, earning only a 56% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
Snyder’s first venture as a director, Dawn of the Dead, stands as the sole film produced by him to secure a “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Serving as a reimagining of George Romero’s classic 1978 horror flick, the movie holds a commendable 76% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with the audience score closely trailing at 77%.
