10 cult classic movies from the ’90s that have aged poorly

It is to be expected that not every movie from decades past will age well, as the ideas surrounding what is acceptable to say and do on film have changed a lot. There are some cult classic films from the 1990s that are hailed as great contributions to cinema at the time, but should be reevaluated. more often than not, Offensive depictions of people’s identities and ideologies are the red flags in these movies. As more diverse filmmakers and writers gain a voice in Hollywood, this is becoming less of an issue, but past films should still be viewed with a critical eye.

Some of the most influential movie directors of the 1990s got their start with projects that have earned cult classic status but haven’t aged well by today’s standards. The movies and the creative teams behind them should not necessarily be forgotten or torn down, but it is important to recognize the flaws in all parts of media, even if they are considered important and iconic. Art and filmmaking have evolved and become more complex with each generation because New artists are informed by the success and failure of those who came before them.

10

Cruel Intentions (1999)

Directed by Roger Kumble

The explosive combination of Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon and Selma Blair is the highlight of Cruel intentions. What the adaptation of the classic French novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses What it lacks in complexity and class, it makes up for in pure, unadulterated scandal. however, Teenage sexuality and exploitation are at the forefront of Cruel intentions, Making it hard to let loose and enjoy the horrible things the characters do to each other.

Additionally, the weaponization of sexuality and homophobia takes the viewer out of the movie’s experience and immediately dates the script. Geller’s character, Kathryn, is depicted more harshly than Sebastian (Philippe) because she is the villain. However, this makes her character a bit one-dimensional and uplifts Sebastian. Some of the characterization is beautiful, as Sebastian evolves and tries to change, and his ending is even harsher than Kathryn’s. The original screen iteration of the book, The 1988 Dangerous linksIs a little easier to watch because of its difference in space and time.

9

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

Directed by Tom Shadiak

Jim Carrey’s talents are wasted Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Although the character has some odd quirks, there is too much wrong with the movie to watch it today without cringing. The movie falls victim to jokes and plot points that don’t reflect contemporary culture. Ace Ventura Uses Carrey’s signature facial expressions as the crux of every joke, Making them grow stale within the first few minutes. Furthermore, his character’s treatment of women and blatant homophobia makes it endlessly uncomfortable.

One of the worst parts of Ace Ventura This is how the trans character is treated. Although the character is the villain, the story humiliates her by publicly outing her and making a joke about Ventura being attracted to her. This is a disrespectful and outdated image of the LGBTQ+ community. The movie could easily be just as effective without using trans identity as a plot twist. Although Aspects of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective are nostalgic, the movie doesn’t have the star power of some of Carrey’s other works, Making it easy to forget.

8

Dazed and Confused (1993)

Directed by Richard Linklater

Before Richard Linklater made history with the Before trilogy And BoyHe tells a more traditional high school story by Desperate and confused. Although Desperate and confused Credited with launching Matthew McConaughey’s career and featuring some of the most iconic dialogue of the 1990s, there are still dated aspects of the film. primarily The hazing and violence that the older high school boys use to terrorize the younger ones. While it’s clearly a terrible thing, it’s also played for laughs.

Overall, the successes of Desperate and confused More than these issues, because the movie is considered one of the best of the 1990s and one of the more accurate depictions of high school. Few films from this era can claim that they didn’t glamorize violence and make sexism seem cool. However, it is impossible to ignore this There are practically no female characters with development or substance present in the film, which is something no movie should get away with today.

7

She’s All That (1999)

Directed by Robert Iscove

today, She’s all that is remembered as a classic, but there are harsh realities of rewatching 1990s rom-coms. It is also known for being one of the biggest perpetrators of sexist tropes that run rampant in the genre. There is a scene in She’s all that in which Lainey (Rachael Leigh Cook) literally takes off her glasses and is then considered beautiful By the charming and handsome Zack (Freddy Prinze Jr.). This is the scene that has spawned a thousand parodies, and rightfully so, as Laney’s treatment throughout the film is appalling.

Zack and his friends, she is the butt of the joke, until he finds himself attracted to her and suddenly realizes that she has value. Her interests and beliefs are played for laughs, and there is little to nothing on the concept that her makeover makes her a better and more fulfilled person, and Zack hardly redeems himself in the eyes of the public. Although it is a harmless and fun movie, on the one hand, It teaches generations of youth all the wrong lessons about love and self-acceptance.

6

Buffalo ’66 (1998)

Directed by Vincent Gallo

A young Christina Ricci stars in Buffalo ’66 Along with Vincent Gallo, who also directed the film and contributed to the screenplay. Although technically Buffalo ’66 is a triumph of independent filmmaking, the story should be viewed through a critical lens, considering It begins with Gallo’s character kidnapping Ricci’s character and ends with the pair falling in love. While Buffalo ’66 Can not condone this behavior and comment on it, there were many cases in which the intentions of the film were misinterpreted.

It’s not just the film itself that stirs up controversy as much as the offscreen dynamic. In the years since its release, Ricci has described the environment on set with Gallo as a difficult one, especially considering the actress was only 17 when the film was shot (by HuffPost). To this day, Gallo is a controversial figure, and his behavior on set has come under intense scrutiny, with Buffalo ’66 Because no exception. moreover, Layla’s (Ricci) lack of agency throughout the narrative may be upsetting to viewers.

5

Reality Bites (1994)

Directed by Ben Stiller

It’s hard to imagine a more quintessential 1990s figure than that of Reality Bites. With Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, and Ben Stiller in an ill-fated love triangle, It’s hard to feel sympathy for the disaffected youth seen on screen Reality Bites. The film is a precursor to the mumblecore genre and presents a slice-of-life story about a group of lost twenty-somethings in Texas. Stiller proved to be a solid director in his feature debut, but has found greater success in his other works.

Although Reality Bites Can speak to young people who feel lost and insecure, the main problems of the film are not as relevant because of how the world has changed. If anything, audiences may be jealous of these characters, because they don’t have the pressure of the internet or social media. moreover, The romance between Lelaina (Rider) and Troy (Hawk) is a bit one-dimensional, And no character is too likable. Although there is nothing wrong with Reality BitesIts main annoyance for audiences may be the self-indulgence of the characters and filmmaking.

4

Chasing Amy (1997)

Directed by Kevin Smith

Ben Affleck stars Chasing AmyWhich perpetuates the issues of homophobia that were common in the 90s. He plays Holden, a man who falls in love with Alyssa, played by Joey Lauren Adams, but discovers that she is a lesbian. however, Chasing Amy Hinges on the outdated idea that a straight man can win over a lesbian woman, using it as a subversion of the rom-com formula. More recently, the director, Kevin Smith, opened up about how old the movie is. This is a reminder that in 1997, sexuality was not discussed openly, and Chasing Amy was boundary-pushing (by Buzzfeed).

Instead of taking a nuanced look at how sexuality is fluid and can change over time or that biphobia often prevents people from fully exploring their identities, Chasing Amy Make fun of the entire LGBTQ+ community. Chasing Amy is ultimately not about Alice but about Holden discovering that the world is bigger than he ever imagined. Being a product of its time and lacking context, Chasing Amy Fails to unpack its full context. There are far better films from the New Queer Cinema moment of the era about identity, however Chasing Amy Never claimed to be part of the list.

3

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Directed by Steve Baron

visually, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Can’t compete with any of today’s live-action movies because the turtle suits have aged from slightly uncomfortable to downright uncomfortable. Compared to Michael Bay’s 2014 iteration, these 90s movies are cult classics, but that’s thanks to nostalgia rather than quality. Adapting an iconic comic book character is never easy, and there was a huge amount of pressure on it Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles To do justice to the source material. While it’s interesting to see how the studio imagines the turtles might look in the real world, The story works better in animation,

Although it is not entirely fair to compare live-action to animation, the 1990 movie could have gone further in capturing the aesthetic and visual style of the comics. It is undeniable that the film was a box office smash and that the following sequels cemented this adaptation as the definitive version for many years. However, there is still room for a more cohesive and effective version in the canon, vi The movie lacks the stylized and cameo sensibility of other live-action comic book films Like Tim Burton Batman.

2

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

Directed by Mel Brooks

Although some of Mel Brooks’ funniest movie scenes take place in Robin Hood: Men in TightsIt is not his strongest film and has not aged in some aspects of his humor. Comedy movies from decades past are expected to have dated elements as expectations and standards have changed, but the depictions of female characters like Maid Marian (Amy Yasbeck) and Latrine (Tracey Ullman) center their sexuality and physical attractiveness as the most important parts. of their roles. Although this is played for laughs, it still fails to develop their characters.

Additionally, outside of the social issues in the film, it’s just not on the same level as the director’s classics, gets off to a slow start, and relies on emphasis-based jokes to engage the audience. This comes through the use of words and sight gags like the Everlast chastity belt or when Rottingham hires a mafia boss to take on Robin during the archery competition. The best parts of Robin Hood: Men in Tights are the performances of the stellar cast of comedians that Brooks has assembled. They make Robin Hood: Men in Tights Sharper through their work.

1

Last Action Hero (1993)

Directed by John McTiernan

Last action hero

Last action hero Came out after the action movie boom of the 1980s That propelled Arnold Schwarzenegger to fame and created the buff and bulging action hero archetype. The movie tried to question the formula of the movies and poke at them through a satirical lens. However, for a variety of reasons, it bombed at the box office and only achieved cult classic status thanks to its availability on the Internet many years later. It is one of Schwarzenegger’s most poorly received movies to date.

In the years since the premiere, Last action hero It ebbed and flowed in popularity because it didn’t deserve the vitriol it got in the ’90s, But still has plenty of issues. While Schwarzenegger’s career did not end after the movie, his reputation shifted a bit, and the film added a flop to his legacy. Certain problems also appeared, such as the lack of logic in the multiverse plot and the darkness of the premise when Danny turns to movies in the wake of his father’s death. The original structural problems distracted audiences and critics from those aspects of the story, but they have become clearer over time.