I think if any movie is “meh” it’s the Princess Bride.
It was a flick I had never gotten around to seeing. I first saw it just 5 years ago, was super enthused to see it, and came away meh.
OTOH, Mandy Patinkin’s impressive performance aside, I still think they could have done something more original than the old “officiant makes long drawn-out speech while the groom impatiently tells him to skip to the vows” cliché.
Here in England we relish our pantomimes. 
Princess Bride is in the same genre - good v evil; lots of laughs; memorable lines.
It does what it sets out to do. 
I don’t know if I’ve ever watched the whole thing beggining to end. I generally like that kind of movie, but it just doesn’t trip my trigger.
I think the question kind of sets a false premise. I do not know that the Princess Bride is held to be a shinning example of a movie, so high esteem is maybe not the way to phrase it. It is undoubtedly beloved by many people though. On the whole it really is a silly movie that does not take itself too seriously in its execution, while the characters are playing it straight.
It features one of the best fencing scenes in cinema for which Cary Elwes and Mandy Patinkin practiced extensively. The chemistry between all the principal characters is great, and in addition to the famous lines, there are various small facial expressions or reactions that are just great. It does not rely only on the dialogue or the premise to be charming.
Of course it is not for everyone, just like acclaimed Horror films are not for everyone, but it is a more than competently made movie, that plays around with Fairy Tale tropes, and features great actors playing engaging characters.
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This pretty much sums it up for me. I’m not a student of film. I don’t analyze movies. Sure, sometimes I like a movie to make me think, or to wow me somehow. Btut most often, I like to be engaged and entertained. Perhaps I’m willing to overlook what some see as mediocre editing, etc., for a couple of hours of entertainment. To some extent, a “good” movie for me is one I remember afterwards. So many are just instantly forgettable fluff. But TPB is probably right up there with Caddyshack, Holy Grail, and only a couple of others in terms of phrases that are part of my regular conversation. “In-con-ceivable!”
I’ve watched several movies that supposedly knowledgeable folk claim to be masterpieces for one reason or another. (Most recently Chaplin’s City Lights. Many actors/directors claim it their favorite movie.) But if the characters and story don’t engage me, I don’t care what an impressive accomplishment the film is for film cognoscenti.
This is basically how I feel about The Shawshank Redemption.
Let me explain. No, is too much. Let me sum up.
It’s fun. And that’s all it really needs to be.
This. And the author takes it seriously. The combination of wit, clever and concise writing, stunning character acting, and sincerity make it a winner in many ways. And, maybe more importantly, make it different.
That said… it’s a movie with many great scenes, but it is not a great movie. In particular the whole sequence between Buttercup being rescued from Vizzini and being taken by Prince Humperdink is one of the worst paced, dull 15 minutes (or whatever it is) ever set to film.
I have watched it a bajillion times, and will probably watch it a quarter of a bajillion more times in my lifetime.
Because the grandson was bored and the grandfather skipped ahead.
Funny you should mention Shawshank, because for me it’s another example of a film many people laud as a classic that I think is average at best. Not a bad film, and Morgan Freeman is good in it. But I have always failed to see why it rates so high in many peoples’ opinion. I suppose I feel the same way about it that the OP feels about The Princess Bride. Which is fine - you don’t have to like everything.
Exactly this. Plus, Corey Elwes is a really terrible actor, and I can’t get past that.
Anyway, when I finally saw it (years after it was released), I guess I was too old or something because I thought, man, that was disappointing.
Again, for me, good actors, good story, holds my interest - therefore = good movie, worth rewatching at least every few years.
Makes me wonder - is there ANY movie that we ALL would agree is.- if not great, at least significantly worth watching/rewatching? I’ll start a thread…
I saw it when I was in college in the early 90s and thought it was okay. I probably enjoyed it more on subsequent viewings when I know the flatter portions would pay off later. I think it’s a sweet fun movie with a lot of great scenes and some clunky connecting material. I wouldn’t be shocked if someone wasn’t in love with it but I guess I’d be mildly surprised if someone actively disliked it.
I graduated college in 1988 and I think I first saw it on campus, so perhaps right after the original release. I liked it, of course, as did seemingly everyone on campus. I think it was just the right time for us.
Some who don’t like it may have heard for a long time that you’re going to love it and it’s the greatest movie ever. I think that sort of thing may set up expectations in one’s head that are almost never fulfilled.
I feel like hype is probably part of it. It’s a nice warm fun film but it’s not a triumph of cinematic art.
Just watched it with my husband, who had never seen it. He was not a fan, but isn’t big on speculative fiction at the best of times.
I still love it, except for the deeply annoying frame tale, which bothered me when I saw it in the theater and bothers me now. The annoying kid in the overdecorated bedroom was unnecessary. This watching, I noticed an open bag of cheetoes prominently displayed, label out. Perhaps they couldn’t do the product placement without the kid.
I kind of like the framing story; Fred Savage was cute in this.
Really? Both kid & grandpa are fine as actors. I just didn’t like the subplot. Good to know it landed fine with other people .
And without it you can’t have Once Upon a Deadpool 
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