Critics will be critics! That is an essential line to remember when coming across critical assessments of an upcoming film. The work of a reviewer is to look at a piece with a critical eye. The factors for weighing value are not the same measures as the general fanbase applies. Rotten Tomato scores are derived from an aggregate of critics’ reviews. So, the more reviewers, the more balanced and well-adjusted the score.
With such sites as Rotten Tomatoes being the go-to for pre-determinant information, one cannot help but wonder what is up with the current Rotten Tomato Scores for MCU’s upcoming featureSecret Invasion.Given the scores, the question lingering is whetherSecret Invasionis worth a watch. Do the scores indicate the series will be a flop? Well, that depends on several other questions which must be answered, such as, are the scores reflections of legitimate assessments or are they biased? Fundamentally can the scores be trusted? And finally, is there a more accurate measure by which one may go?
Secret Invasion and The Rotten Tomatoes Scores
Secret Invasionhas earned a score of65% on the Tomatometerat the time of writing. And this is the aggregate score after 52 critical reviews. While 65% is not awful, it is not exceptional. But as many well know, the closer a feature gets to a score of 50%, the bigger the toss-up in terms of quality or entertainment value. Assumably, a film or series may not be worth the time.
At this point, much must be considered when attempting to answer why such a score was given. Two of the most critical factors in answering what is up with TheSecret InvasionRotten Tomato Scores are the power of subjectivity and the pertinence of a film to its franchise. Both are powerful aspects of looking at what a score shows.
On Subjectivity
An analysis is subjective. As objective as a critic proclaims to be, personal perspective still plays a critical part in the analysis. Thus, there will never be a perfect critique. Typically, this balances out with the more critics available to analyze a film.
In keeping with this consideration, an average score is more of an indicator of balance than one that tips to extremes. The closer to a median score, the more balanced a film may be, meaning it may have a broader appeal. This shows that critics representing the viewing audience are torn between quality measures. The fact thatSecret Invasionsits at 65%, given the perspective of 52 critics, is not a negative. But comparative analysis is vital to get a good sense of what is going on with the score.
Secret Invasion Scores: The Importance of Comparative Analysis
To get a good assessment of what is going on with the scores, one must look at the scores of other series. More importantly, one must look at scores of similar features. Looking at the scores of anothersimilarly branded MCUfeature serves as a good base of comparison.
Related:Why Secret Invasion Is the Single Most Important MCU Series So Far
For example, one might want to compare the scores ofFalcon and Winter SoldiertoSecret Invasion. One rationale for this is that they are projects from the same franchise, so they can be judged on the same merits. In giving a more introspective look at a comparison, one critic speaks highly favorably of the upcoming offering, making just comparisons to the MCU’s Winter Soldier. This is a more positive perspective and adequately represents the yo-yo sentiment. As this Rotten Tomatoes Criticnotes on Inverse:
“Marvel has dipped into politics and espionage, to varied success, throughout its 15-year history. But not sinceThe Winter Soldierhas the MCU juggled conspiracy, pulp, and paranoia so effectively.”
No one can deny that is a definitive glowing remark in favor of the series.
Going back to look at comparisons such asFalcon and Winter Soldierasan argument for overlookingSecret Invasions’current scoring may be confusing. But why?Falcon and Winter Soldiercurrently has a score of over 80% from critical reviews. So how could it possibly compare or be argued thatSecret Invasionis hot garbage?
It is important for one to also consider scoring pre-showing vs. post. It is reasonable to assume that the score could trend upward as more reviewers view and analyze the show. Thirdly, one must consider the history of how scoring usually plays out in determining the success of a feature. And last, one must weigh how past audience scores have fared compared to critical scores. It is only then that an appropriate assessment can be made. So given all this information, let’s look at what is up withSecret Invasions’ 65% Rotten Tomatoes score, which is considered thelowest rating among MCU shows.
Comments Give Substantial Information
If one were to delve into the comments of top critics, one could better understand the score. And based on the current reviews, critics are divided. The dividing lines seem to be regarding the overall feel of the series. The critics have used terms such as tepid, inert, or lacking intrigue to describe the offering, meaning some feelSecret Invasionis blah, in other words, banal.
Yet others sway to the other side using terms such as solid storytelling, well-structured, and mature. An astute observer will realize this may be seen as two sides of the same coin, indicating a matter of perspective, what some see as slow-moving and droll, others as a timely process of building a solid framework. Thus, solidifying the premise that the score doesn’t say much about howSecret Invasionwill be received.
Related:“Marvel’s Andor”; First Reactions For Secret Invasion Bring High Praise For Nick Fury MCU Series
Franchise Pertinence
Subjectivity is a considerable component. However, franchise pertinence is also an essential factor in scoring outcomes. Analysts tend to have a more critical eye when something is as highly anticipated asSecret Invasion.As the byline forScreen Rant readsregarding the upcoming feature,
“There’s nothing else coming from the MCU quite like Secret Invasion, and thanks to its story, it could be the most consequential show of 2023.”
Statements such as this lend to the relative importance of a feature. The only issue is such immediately raises speculation and increases the amount of criticism drawn. Analysts will lean toward a more critical stance from the start. This could also factor into the lower-than-expected Rotten Tomatoes scores. However, in this case, fans who want a more robust indicator must look outside the score. Other early reactions outside of Rotten Tomatoes don’t exactly tell the same story. Other sources give a more oppositional view showing a great deal of excitement regarding the earlier episodic viewings and the potential for the show.
For now, it’s a wait-and-see game. The fact that it’s a critical offering for the franchise will draw overwhelming criticism. While fans should consider what is being said, they should also weigh this out with the understanding that rarely do audience scores equal critics’ scores. Thus, the best judgment of the quality of a feature, whether film or series, is to see it for yourself.
