Man Ritchie’s newest movie Fountain of Youth has arrived on Apple TV+ to a wave of adverse opinions.
The movie, which stars John Krasinski and Natalie Portman, debuted with a 36% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
That rating dropped simply earlier than the movie’s streaming launch on Friday, 23 Could. Regardless of a robust forged and an adventure-driven plot, early opinions haven’t been type.
Large names, large price range, poor reception
© Apple TV+Within the movie, John and Natalie play estranged siblings Luke and Charlotte Purdue. They reunite for a high-stakes mission to find the legendary Fountain of Youth.
Their journey takes them around the globe, piecing collectively clues left behind by a dying tycoon. Critics agree that whereas the movie has scale and ambition, it falls brief on story and execution.
In comparison with Indiana Jones however missing the allure
© Apple TV+The plot attracts clear inspiration from the Indiana Jones franchise.
However reviewers say the joy and emotional stakes don’t measure up.
The Hollywood Reporter wrote: “It is all as predictable as you’d count on, with the screenplay by James Vanderbilt failing to offer the wit essential to make the movie stand out in any approach.”
Leisure Weekly agreed: “The characterisations are flat, the would-be quippy dialogue hardly ever elicits laughs, and the motion sequences seldom rise above the extent of passable.”
Social media backlash
© Apple TV+On X, Awais from Filmhounds didn’t maintain again: “Fountain of Youth is likely one of the worst movies of the 12 months!”
He added: “A movie that ought to be loads higher than it’s. it definitely appears the half – lavish, costly, large. However it’s a soulless, vapid, and overwrought mess.”
Subsequent Large Image commented: “Worse than not being nice, it by no means sinks to sufficient depths to turn into a horrible trainwreck, both.”
“The typical set items, mildly efficient humour, and first rate chemistry between the actors simply make the expertise all of the extra laborious to endure.”
One outlet presents a extra balanced view
© Apple TV+Collider gave the movie a 6/10 and provided a barely extra forgiving take. They wrote: “The factor is, Fountain of Youth may have simply been simply one other dangerous film made for streaming, and the truth that it is not is an accomplishment in of itself.”
“It is a completely watchable film designed to maintain you entertained for 2 hours on a wet Sunday afternoon.” That’s not glowing reward, but it surely’s extra beneficiant than most different opinions.
What went fallacious?
© Apple TV+This response is a notable shift for Man, 55, who not too long ago loved streaming success with The Gents and MobLand. Each titles carried out nicely with audiences and critics, constructing momentum for his transfer into main streaming partnerships.
Given the forged and Apple TV+ funding, expectations for Fountain of Youth have been excessive. The response to date means that not each high-profile streaming undertaking can hit the mark.
My tackle the opinions
© Apple TV+As somebody who covers the intersection of streaming and cinema, this backlash highlights a rising problem. Streaming platforms are pouring assets into big-budget originals, usually pushed by well-known names and recognisable genres.
However that system doesn’t assure high quality. This movie seems to have been designed to suit the algorithm slightly than problem audiences creatively.
It additionally displays a broader pattern of “protected” storytelling within the streaming house — technically polished, however emotionally empty. Critics are more and more delicate to this, and audiences are catching on too.
What’s subsequent for Ritchie?
© Getty PicturesMan is unlikely to be too shaken by the criticism. He has a number of initiatives within the pipeline and a popularity for bouncing again.
However Fountain of Youth is a reminder that even confirmed administrators can miss the mark. As for viewers, this is perhaps one to avoid wasting for background noise on a lazy weekend — slightly than a must-watch Friday night time premiere.
Fountain of Youth is now obtainable to stream on Apple TV+.
