Why Do People Hate Gareth Edwards?
Gareth Edwards is a British filmmaker who rose to prominence with his critically acclaimed directorial debut, the 2010 independent sci-fi film Monsters. His success led to him being tapped to direct the 2014 Godzilla reboot and the 2016 Star Wars anthology film Rogue One, both of which were commercial hits but received mixed reviews from critics and audiences.
Despite his impressive body of work and the financial success of his major studio films, Edwards has become a polarizing figure among movie fans, with a significant portion harboring negative sentiments towards him. In this article, we’ll explore the various reasons why people hate Gareth Edwards, delving into the criticisms leveled against his filmmaking style, creative choices, and perceived missteps.
Background on Gareth Edwards
Before we dive into the reasons behind the hate, let’s briefly revisit Edwards’ career trajectory.
Early Career and Monsters
Edwards, born in 1975 in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England, began his career in visual effects, working on projects like the BBC documentary series Perfect Disaster and several commercials.
His big break came in 2010 with the release of Monsters, a science fiction film he wrote, directed, and handled a significant portion of the visual effects for. Made on a shoestring budget of around $500,000, Monsters was a critical and commercial success, earning praise for its minimalist approach, innovative storytelling, and impressive visual effects.
Godzilla (2014)
The success of Monsters caught the attention of legendary production company Legendary Pictures, who hired Edwards to direct the 2014 reboot of the iconic Godzilla franchise. With a budget of $160 million, Godzilla was a box office hit, grossing over $529 million worldwide.
However, the film received mixed reviews, with some praising its visuals and faithfulness to the source material, while others criticized its pacing and lack of character development.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Following Godzilla, Edwards was tasked with directing Rogue One, a standalone Star Wars film set shortly before the events of the original 1977 movie. With a budget of $200 million, Rogue One was another commercial success, earning over $1 billion at the global box office.
However, like Godzilla, the film received mixed reviews, with praise for its action sequences and visual effects, but criticism for its underdeveloped characters and pacing issues.
Reasons Why People Hate Gareth Edwards
Now that we’ve covered Edwards’ background, let’s delve into the various reasons why people hate him.
Perceived Mishandling of Iconic Franchises
One of the primary criticisms leveled against Edwards is his perceived mishandling of beloved and iconic franchises like Godzilla and Star Wars. Many fans felt that his interpretations of these franchises failed to capture the essence of what made them special, instead focusing too heavily on spectacle and visual effects at the expense of character development and storytelling.
In the case of Godzilla, some fans felt that the titular monster was sidelined in favor of human characters who were underdeveloped and uninteresting. Similarly, in Rogue One, while the action sequences and visuals were praised, many felt that the characters lacked depth and that the film failed to capture the spirit of the Star Wars universe.
Pacing and Structural Issues
Another common criticism of Edwards’ films is their pacing and structural issues. Both Godzilla and Rogue One have been criticized for being too slow-paced and meandering, with lengthy stretches of exposition and setup before reaching the action-packed climaxes.
Some viewers found these films to be frustrating and tedious, as they felt like they were constantly being teased with the promise of excitement and spectacle, only to have that payoff delayed or underwhelming.
Lack of Character Development
Closely tied to the pacing and structural issues is the criticism of Edwards’ films for their lack of compelling character development. While his films often feature impressive visuals and action sequences, many viewers felt that the human characters at the center of these stories were underdeveloped, one-dimensional, and ultimately uninteresting.
In Godzilla, for example, the lead characters played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen were widely criticized for being bland and forgettable, failing to engage the audience on an emotional level. Similarly, in Rogue One, while the ensemble cast was praised for their performances, many felt that the characters themselves lacked depth and nuance, serving primarily as vehicles to move the plot forward rather than fully realized individuals.
Overreliance on Visual Effects
Another common criticism of Edwards’ films is their perceived overreliance on visual effects at the expense of substantive storytelling. While his background in visual effects has undoubtedly contributed to the impressive visuals in his films, some viewers feel that he prioritizes spectacle over substance, often sacrificing character development and narrative cohesion for the sake of dazzling set pieces and action sequences.
This criticism is particularly prevalent in relation to Godzilla, where some felt that the film was more interested in showcasing the titular monster’s destructive power than exploring the human characters or the deeper themes and implications of the story.
Divisive Creative Choices
Beyond the technical and storytelling aspects of his films, Edwards has also faced criticism for some of his creative choices, which have proven to be divisive among fans and critics alike.
In Rogue One, for example, his decision to kill off the entire main cast of characters at the end of the film was a bold and controversial move that divided audiences. While some praised the decision for its gritty realism and emotional impact, others felt it was an unnecessarily bleak and unsatisfying ending that undermined the film’s potential for future storytelling opportunities.
Similarly, in Godzilla, Edwards’ decision to keep the titular monster mostly obscured for large portions of the film was met with mixed reactions, with some praising the build-up and anticipation, while others felt it was a frustrating tease that failed to deliver on the promise of a truly epic Godzilla showdown.
Tables and Data
To further illustrate the divide in opinions surrounding Edwards’ films, let’s take a look at some data and critical reception.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
| Critic/Outlet | Rating/Review |
|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes | 84% (Certified Fresh) |
| Metacritic | 65/100 |
| Richard Roeper (Chicago Sun-Times) | “A solid, entertaining and ultimately stirring addition to the Star Wars franchise.” |
| Peter Travers (Rolling Stone) | “It’s a blast of a movie, but it lacks the specialness of the best Star Wars films.” |
As you can see from the table, Rogue One received generally positive reviews from critics, with an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a respectable 65/100 on Metacritic. However, the reviews were mixed, with some praising its entertainment value and action sequences, while others criticized its lack of specialness and failure to capture the true essence of the Star Wars franchise.
Godzilla (2014)
| Critic/Outlet | Rating/Review |
|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes | 75% (Certified Fresh) |
| Metacritic | 62/100 |
| A.O. Scott (The New York Times) | “Gareth Edwards’s film is ultimately a mild disappointment, a lavish estate that lies empty and uninhabited.” |
| Claudia Puig (USA Today) | “Godzilla is a fantastic spectacle of destruction on a grand scale, but the human drama is sorely lacking.” |
Similar to Rogue One, Godzilla received generally positive reviews from critics, with a 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 62/100 on Metacritic. However, the criticisms centered around the lack of compelling human drama and character development, with many feeling that the film prioritized spectacle over substance.
Conclusion
Gareth Edwards is a talented filmmaker whose work has garnered both commercial success and critical acclaim. However, as we’ve explored in this article, he has also faced significant backlash and negative sentiment from a portion of movie fans and critics alike.
The reasons behind this hate are varied, ranging from perceived mishandling of iconic franchises like Godzilla and Star Wars, to pacing and structural issues, lack of compelling character development, overreliance on visual effects, and divisive creative choices.
Ultimately, whether one loves or hates Edwards’ work is a matter of personal taste and perspective. While some viewers appreciate his emphasis on spectacle and visual storytelling, others crave more depth, nuance, and emotional resonance in their films.
It’s worth noting that Edwards’ detractors represent a vocal minority, and his films have undoubtedly resonated with millions of moviegoers worldwide. However, the criticisms leveled against him are valid and highlight the challenges of balancing commercial appeal with artistic integrity, especially when working within the constraints of beloved and established franchises.
As Edwards continues his career, it will be interesting to see how he addresses these criticisms and evolves as a filmmaker. Will he double down on his strengths in visual storytelling and spectacle, or will he strive to incorporate more character development and narrative depth into his work? Only time will tell.
Regardless of where one stands on the Edwards debate, his impact on modern blockbuster filmmaking cannot be denied. Love him or hate him, his films have sparked passionate discussions and debates among movie fans, cementing his place in the annals of polarizing and divisive directors.
FAQs
Why do some people dislike Gareth Edwards’ films?
Some of the main reasons why people dislike Gareth Edwards’ films include perceived mishandling of iconic franchises like Godzilla and Star Wars, pacing and structural issues, lack of compelling character development, overreliance on visual effects at the expense of storytelling, and divisive creative choices.
What were the criticisms of Edwards’ Godzilla (2014) film?
The primary criticisms of Godzilla (2014) were that the titular monster was sidelined in favor of underdeveloped human characters, the pacing was slow and meandering, and the film prioritized spectacle over substance and character development.
How did audiences and critics react to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story?
Rogue One received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its action sequences and visuals, but also criticism for its lack of specialness, failure to capture the true essence of the Star Wars franchise, and underdeveloped characters.
What are some examples of divisive creative choices made by Edwards?
Some of Edwards’ divisive creative choices include the decision to kill off the entire main cast of Rogue One at the end of the film, and the choice to keep Godzilla mostly obscured for large portions of the 2014 film.
Is Gareth Edwards a bad director?
Whether Gareth Edwards is a bad director or not is subjective and a matter of personal opinion. While he has faced significant criticism and backlash, his films have also resonated with millions of moviegoers and enjoyed commercial success. His work has sparked passionate debates and discussions among movie fans, cementing his place as a polarizing and divisive director.
