Stellar relativity

[sigma7]

After finally finishing Kung Fu Hustle (SEE IT SEE IT SEE IT), I just idly looked up Roger Ebert's take on it and Shaolin Soccer (YOU ALSO SEE IT NOW), and it was in the latter's review that I found an interesting and enlightening explanation of the star-based rating system:

What it means is that the star rating system is relative, not absolute. When you ask a friend if "Hellboy" is any good, you're not asking if it's any good compared to "Mystic River," you're asking if it's any good compared to "The Punisher." And my answer would be, on a scale of one to four, if "Superman" (1978) is four, then "Hellboy" is three and "The Punisher" is two. In the same way, if "American Beauty" gets four stars, then "Leland" clocks in at about two.

And that is why "Shaolin Soccer," a goofy Hong Kong action comedy, gets three stars. It is piffle, yes, but superior piffle. If you are even considering going to see a movie where the players zoom 50 feet into the air and rotate freely in violation of everything Newton held sacred, then you do not want to know if I thought it was as good as "Lost in Translation."

Also of interest: Ebert's Brown Bunny review: three stars. Still not gonna see it.

Comments

[kitblonde.livejournal.com]

I heart Shaolin Soccer bigly. In fact, I'm kinda rabid about all the Stephen Chow I've experienced. I'm actually having a God of Cookery party next Saturday. (If you're in Philly, come on by.) I think GoC is my favorite, but that's like picking a favorite puppy. They're all great.