What is rotten tomatoes?

What is rotten tomatoes?

Rotten Tomatoes is an online review aggregator and movie database that provides critical consensus and audience opinions on films, television shows, and streaming content. It serves as a trusted source for moviegoers to gauge the overall quality and reception of a particular film or TV series. Rotten Tomatoes collects reviews from professional film critics and calculates a percentage rating, known as the Tomatometer, to indicate the level of positive reviews a film has received. This rating system has become widely recognized and influential in the entertainment industry.

The history of Rotten Tomatoes dates back to 1998 when it was launched by Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang as a simple, hobbyist website. Initially, the website focused on compiling film reviews and creating a database of movies, but it quickly gained popularity and expanded its offerings. In 2004, IGN Entertainment acquired Rotten Tomatoes, and it subsequently went through various ownership changes, eventually ending up as a subsidiary of Fandango, an online ticketing platform, in 2016.

The primary feature that distinguishes Rotten Tomatoes from other movie review platforms is the Tomatometer. The Tomatometer is based on the aggregated reviews of professional film critics, whose opinions are weighted based on their stature and influence. The rating ranges from 0% to 100%, with a higher percentage indicating a higher proportion of positive reviews. If a film receives a score of 60% or higher, it is deemed "Fresh," indicating a generally favorable reception. Conversely, if a film's score falls below 60%, it is labeled "Rotten," suggesting a mixed or negative critical consensus.

Alongside the Tomatometer, Rotten Tomatoes also provides an audience score, which reflects the opinions of regular moviegoers. The audience score is derived from user ratings and reviews submitted by registered users of the website. Unlike the Tomatometer, the audience score is displayed as a percentage without any distinction between positive or negative reviews.

While Rotten Tomatoes primarily focuses on film reviews, it has expanded its coverage to include television shows and streaming content. The platform allows users to browse and discover a wide range of titles, read reviews, watch trailers, and access information such as cast and crew details, release dates, and box office performance. Additionally, Rotten Tomatoes features curated lists, editorials, and news articles related to the film and television industry, providing a comprehensive and immersive experience for movie enthusiasts.

The impact and influence of Rotten Tomatoes cannot be understated. The Tomatometer has become a prominent indicator of a film's critical reception, often referenced in marketing campaigns and movie discussions. The Tomatometer score can significantly impact the box office performance of a film, as audiences tend to rely on it as a guide for their movie choices. A high Tomatometer score can generate positive buzz and increase audience interest, leading to higher ticket sales, while a low score can discourage potential viewers.

However, the influence of Rotten Tomatoes has also sparked debate and controversy. Critics argue that reducing the complexity of a film's quality to a single percentage can oversimplify the critical discourse and neglect the nuances and diversity of opinions within the film industry. Some filmmakers and industry professionals have criticized the platform for allegedly prioritizing clickbait headlines and encouraging a "love it or hate it" binary perception of films. Furthermore, there have been instances where review bombing and targeted campaigns have aimed to manipulate the audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes, questioning the integrity and reliability of user-generated ratings.

To address concerns and provide a more comprehensive perspective, Rotten Tomatoes has introduced additional features such as an "Audience Verified" program, which verifies ticket purchases from Fandango to ensure authenticity in audience ratings. The platform has also included individual critic reviews alongside the Tomatometer score, allowing users to explore and read different perspectives.

In conclusion, Rotten Tomatoes is an influential online platform that aggregates film reviews and provides a Tomatometer score based on the opinions of professional film critics. It has become a trusted source for moviegoers to gauge the critical consensus and overall reception of a film. With its extensive database, audience scores, and additional features, Rotten Tomatoes has established itself as a significant player in the film and television industry, shaping audience perceptions and influencing box office performance. While it has faced criticism and controversy, it continues to be a popular and widely recognized platform for film enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.

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