'Toy Story' Narrowly Misses Perfect Trilogy Marks (Thanks, Armond White)

By Zach Dionne Posted Jun 20th 2010 02:00PM

Thursday, 'Toy Story 3' had a shot at something special -- it stood to propel the three films into history, becoming the only trilogy rated 100 percent fresh across the board on Rotten Tomatoes.

Friday, that hope was dashed. As Roger Ebert and others predicted, notoriously contrary New York Press film critic Armond White dissed the third installment in Pixar's flagship franchise. White's review deems the nearly universally acclaimed film "essentially a bored [sic] game that only the brainwashed will buy into" and posits the series is only fit for "non-thinking children and adults."

The other negative review (seriously, there were two) comes from a critic named Cole Smithey. His "news outlet"? ColeSmithey.com, of course, where he dubs himself "The Smartest Film Critic in the World." No word on who he actually, y'know, is, or why he sits alongside the likes of critics like Ebert, A.O. Scott, Peter Travers and Owen Gleiberman on the review-compiling website.

It's hard to ignore the fact that the two Scrooges' opinions fly in the face of much of the Internet and more than 150 critics on Rotten Tomatoes -- the consensus seems to be that the film is a stellar conclusion to a shining series.

"Maybe Smithey and White – a lifelong devil's advocate who has made a career out of railing against popular opinion – used their reviews more as a means of grabbing attention," Time magazine writes in a post titled 'Can 147 Critics Be Wrong? Meet the Two Pundits Who Trashed Toy Story 3.'

The tally now stands at 155 fresh reviews and two rotten ones. Unfortunately, the pair of unsavory reviews keep 'Toy Story' from being the only trilogy of all time to receive perfect marks:

June 22 update: A third rotten review has rolled in, dipping the film's score to 98 percent with 167 positive reviews, three negative ones.

To turn off our journalistic objectivity device for a minute (what do you mean, we turned that off for the headline and never looked back?!), we'd be remiss if we didn't point out Armond White dished a positive review to 'Jonah Hex,' an 80-minute feature film receiving a severe drubbing from critics (15 percent fresh on Rotten Tomates). White also suggested 'Transformers 2' as a superior alternative to 'Toy Story 3.'

White's chink in 'Toy Story's' armor was the final straw for some film fans -- a petition, 'Ban Armond White from RottenTomates.com,' has received nearly 2,000 signatures. The petition spotlights White's approval of films like 'Norbit' and 'Confessions of Shopaholic' and his poor reviews of critic- and fan-favorites 'The Dark Knight' and 'There Will Be Blood.'

"I am forced to conclude that White is, as charged, a troll," Ebert wrote last summer.

Entertainment Weekly reports 'Toy Story 3' could earn as much as $120 million in its first weekend. Pixar's current opening weekend record is $70.5 million for 'The Incredibles.'

Read more: 'Surveying Cinema's Biggest Franchises,' in which PopEater's Jason Newman spotlights Pixar's 10-for-10 run with fans and critics.

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Tags: Armond White, Toy Story 3

Comments

(72)

Monday 21 June

By Hope

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Sorry you didn't like it Kurt. I'm 22 and I've watched TS my whole life, it's been a part of my childhood. Whenever I see it I feel like I'm a kid again it's pretty simple.

By Lisa

Didn't he mean "board" game, not "bored" game?.....And, it was awesome!!

By jr2201

Movie Critic...Yea that looks good on a resume. Get a real job. A Movies review is a personal experience. Just because some bloated, bald headed wind bag tells me he dislikes a movie is not going to stop me from seeing it for myself and making my own decision. Many a so called “Movie Critic” have praised the worse movies ever made.

By tom

Personally, I never heard of either of them...so they are insignificant!

By Viv pet

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

my rule to see movies is: if this guys dont like it, watch it, for some reason the movies they like i tent to hate, so from a long time I guide myself the other way hahahaha if they like it, Don't watch it,,,

By bohica

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i think this is just a way for this troll to go against the popular vote not because of the merit of the film but because of plain ol racism

By Mindi

I never listen to the critics.....they always seem to have negative things to say about a good movie....I took my 4 and 6 yr old and they LOVED it.....I think that is the only kind of critic needed for such a film.

By Therese

Who takes the critics seriously anyway. If it gets a bad review, then I know to go see it because most of the reviewers have bad taste anyway. Pixar puts out wonderful films that even adults can enjoy. My husband is not into animation at all but he even enjoys the occasional Pixar film.

By Kate

This is a very good movie! I enjoyed it immensely, made me laugh-made me cry. It is definitely worth going to see.

By Joy M.

Okay, I really thought that these types of movies are to be geared more for the children. Can these rediculous critics EVER just step back some times and see the enjoyment on a child's face or hear their laughter before allowing negativity to exit their mouth's or print to paper? Really shame on you!! It's hard enough try to find good family movies for the WHOLE family to watch together without men with their OWN interest in mind. People who listen to them should be ashamed....if they want to be "Simple Minded" and let these critics decide what THEY should see, then I really feel sorry for them. My family and I choose what we want to see for ourselves NOT what people tell us. There is not one thing in this world that EVERYONE likes....we are ALL different and like different things. Please stop being followers people....stand up and use your own mind and make your own choices, don't listen to some guy that get's paid lot's of money to dictate what you should see!!!! You may end up seeing a not so good movie sometimes, but then again there are many other GREAT movies you would miss out on. Let the CHOICE be YOURS!!!!!

By Teri

Critics dont determine what movies I watch or dont. Personally,like jr2201 stated, it is a personal decision. I mostly listen to my family, friends who know my style and preferences before I check out a film. Or guess what, I go by my gut feeling based on the previews amd trailors. I took my 11mth and 3yo to see this and it was the first time (except when they're asleep) that I got 'em quiet simultaneously so that alone was a charm. I did enjoy the barbie & Ken scenes, mostly the wardrobe changing one that was hilarious. I also enjoyed buzz lightyear dancing "like a princess" my 3yo says when he was erroneously placed in spanish mode. I was touched as mom walked into Andy's room for the last time and saw it empty save a box or two remaining. Having two college kids myself I felt her sadness of his growing up. I'll keep watching TS so long as they keep making it. When I determine its gone stale is when I stop, not when the critics give it a thumbs up or down.

By Toy Story LOVER

umm that guy MUST be crazy toysory 3 was prob. the best out of all of them it had a GREAT plot kept u going the WHOLE time and i think the guy just wanted attention for messing up there record!!! My 17 year old sis 47 year old dad and mom cried so did i it was GREAT!! the end was just WOW i will not give it away for other people though but it was good

Wednesday 07 July

By Patty

Really? Who cares what the critics have to say. It certainly wouldn't stop me from seeing a movie. I actually saw this movie with my mother and we both LOVED it. The only opinion that matters to me is mine.

By poyzinsting

Personally I think critics who do it or a living are ridiculous. I dont need someone else to tell me why they think I should or should not see a Movie. The second "no name critic" you mentioned is just as influential as far as Im concerned as the "named critics" I cant believe people actually pay these people to "sell" their Movies. I can go onto any movie forum and read "regular" peoples opinions on a Movie and it means more to me than Eberts opinion cause they aren;t being paid for it. Anyone who loves movies can be a critic Big Name or You.

By susie

those who think the movie is bad have never actually understood the concept of the Toy Story Series. I thought all 3 movies are perfect. it was reasonable to have the toys struggle in the third movie and face the challenge of Andy going to college. Toy Story was one of our first vhs movies when i was a kid and to this day we still have it as well as Toy Story 2 and we watch it every now and then and Toy Story 3 was amazing, i could really see no falw in the movie wat so ever. Critics are just haters who diss on the good things in life. but i for one enjoyed the movie.

By Duzaman

How much you wanna bet they dissed Toy Story 3 because of the Ken character? I'll bet my money on that, but the thing is its barely homophobic.

By moviesmoviesmoviests3

Toy story 3 was an amazing movie, i watched it opening day, not only the graphics, but also the story line it made me laugh, & feel sad, im sorry to all of you who didnt have a childhood and cant appreciate it. this movie was excellent. ive loved toy story 1, 2, & 3. i grew up with them, and i can honestly say it was a great, yet a little sad ending to an amazing trilogy, so everyone who thinks differently, maybe you should watch it again. all three of them.

By Irving Nelson Canfield

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I give it "The Noisiest Movie Of 2010." I've never heard so much hollering and screaming, since Disney's obnoxious "Duck Tails".
This is talent? America has fallen far, folks.

By Carla

Dude... I wasn't a fan of the first two toy story movies, but... don't diss duck tails!

By comcc

Sort of like Pauline Kale years back when she, in the same column, gave a positive review of "Zoro, the gay blade" and a negative to "Star Wars". The guy who gave "Johna Hex" a positve and "Toy Story 3" a negative should have about the same impact.

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