Superhero films are often a guarantee of success. But sometimes things don't go as planned. Movies like The Eternalswhich was banned in several countries, Madame Web or The Marvelsconsidered the biggest failure of the MCU, were monumental disappointments, both critically and at the box office.
These titles have accumulated bad ratings, proving that even in the Marvel or DC universe, everything is not always a success. But if there is one film that surpasses all these failures, it is Max Steel. Released in 2016, it holds the sad record for the superhero film with the worst rating in history: 0% sur Rotten Tomatoes. And when we see what the critics thought of it, we understand why.
A total failure, from the first to the last minute
Critics, spectators, everyone agrees: Max Steel is a pure disaster. Rotten Tomatoes film critic Allen Adams didn't mince his words: “This movie is what happens when the only reason to make it is 'people loved this toy'“. A clear observation, which well sums up the resounding failure of this adaptation.
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The film has one and only “victory”: being the first superhero film to earn a zero point on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics do not take half measures: “Winding and lifeless“, “A film that embodies all that is worst about the genre“, “A show without a show“, “A waste of time“, in short, everything goes.
The story: a mix of superpowers and clichés
The film follows Max (Ben Winchell), a young man who arrives in a new town and must deal with his overprotective mother (Maria Bello). After his first day of class, Max quickly realizes that he is attracted to his classmate Sofia (Ana Villafañe). But the plot takes a strange turn when he discovers that he possesses extraordinary powers. Indeed, his body is capable of developing unique superpowers. Problem: he can't control them… until he meets Steel, a mysterious alien creature who helps him control them. Together, they form an unbeatable team: Max Steel.
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But of course, their superpowers quickly attract the attention of a threatening group who wants to exploit them for unsavory purposes. And this is where the story goes completely awry.
A franchise that never had a chance
If the toy line Max Steel was launched in 1999 and gave rise to several animated series and comic books, the 2016 live-action film is the only one to have seen the light of day in cinemas. And clearly, it was a dismal failure, so much so that it ended any idea of exploring this franchise on the big screen.
“This movie is not only ugly, it's also boring, and that's a shame, because the concept had some potential“, deplores the critic of Cinema Crazed. And to top it all off, some renowned actors like Andy García and Maria Bello found themselves playing in this trainwreck. As The Hollywood Reporter points out, “It's sad that talented actors were dragged into this project. Sure, actors have to work, but perhaps a special fund could be created to save them from this kind of professional shame“.
The final verdict: avoid at all costs!
In summary, if you are looking for a superhero movie with interesting characters, great special effects and a gripping story, Max Steel is definitely not the one for you. With a 0% rating and unanimously negative reviews, this film will forever go down in history as one of the biggest failures of its kind. A word of advice: save yourself 1h30 of your life and move on.
