Ridley Scott is well and truly in his IDGAF Era. Granted, I think he’s always followed his own interests and instincts without overly caring or questioning what others thought. His anecdote about framing a scathing review of Blade Runner penned by famed film critic Pauline Kael — and then hanging it in his office — illustrates this point. But lately it feels like Ridley has really kicked it up a notch, with full-chested outspoken grandpa energy. I’m not complaining, merely observing. Last year Ridley inelegantly surmised the difference between directing and acting by saying that actors “don’t have to do any prep except learn their lines.” Now Ridley has seemingly picked up Kael’s mantle and issued the blanket criticism that most movies today are “sh-t” and that “we’re drowning in mediocrity.” I’m not disagreeing, merely reporting. Ridley made the comments at BFI Southbank where they’re having a “season” of showcasing Ridley’s work. Ridley appeared at an In Conversation event on Sunday, which is where he proceeded to trash modern cinema. The kicker is when he reveals what movies he does like watching:
Ridley Scott isn’t holding back his thoughts about the state of the film industry, telling the audience during a talk at the British Film Institute on Sunday that most modern movies are “sh-t.”
“The quantity of movies that are made today, literally globally — millions. Not thousands, millions … and most of it is sh-t,” the Oscar-nominated filmmaker said in conversation with his son Luke Scott, according to Metro.
“I think a lot of films today are saved and made more expensive by digital effects, because what they haven’t got is a great thing on paper first,” he continued. “Get it on paper!”
Later on in the discussion, Metro reported that the “Gladiator” and “Alien” director was asked if he has a “comfort film” he likes to revisit. “Well, actually, right now, I’m finding mediocrity — we’re drowning in mediocrity,” Scott replied. “And so what I do — it’s a horrible thing — but I’ve started watching my own movies, and actually they’re pretty good! And also, they don’t age.”
Scott added that he rewatched his 2001 war film “Black Hawk Down” recently and thought, “How in the hell did I manage to do that?”
Of movies by other people, Scott said: “I think occasionally a good one will happen, [and] it’s like a relief that there’s somebody out there who’s doing a good movie.”
Fortunately for Scott and his fans, the director — who released “Gladiator II” starring Paul Mescal last year — said retirement for him would be “impossible.” He confirmed that he has completed production on his next project, the post-apocalyptic sci-fi film “The Dog Stars” with Jacob Elordi, and has started writing a third “Gladiator.”
“He’s around and he technically is the Emperor of Rome” Scott said of Paul Mescal’s character, “and so I have a footprint about what I think it should be.”
But, he added: “I’m not going to tell you in case you steal it!”
Come on, Variety, you left out one of the best quotes! Per Metro’s reporting, Ridley brought math into the equation: “80% – 60% – eh, 40% is the rest, and 25% of that 40 is not bad, and 10% is pretty good, and the top 5% is great. I’m not sure about the proportion of what I’ve just said, but in the 1940s when there were maybe 300 films a year made, 70% of them were similar.” We’re in Yogi Berra “Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical” territory, yes? Except I couldn’t help myself and double checked the math and 25+10+5=40, so Ridley actually got that right. But then he totally undercuts his argument by saying it was roughly the same breakdown in the 1940s! Or am I reading that line wrong?
But like I said earlier, the real kicker is Ridley praising his own work. It’s so hilariously cliche, I’m wondering if this is Ridley angling for a chance to play himself in season two of The Studio. Seriously, they should even let him recite his own words about “occasional” good films by other directors: “It’s like a relief that there’s somebody out there who’s doing a good movie,” is another Emmy winner, I’m telling you! The thing is, I was on board with a lot of what Ridley was saying up until that point. There are so many things I watch where you can see the good ideas, but the script definitely needed more drafts. On the other hand, where else should Ridley Scott laud his own films, if not at a mini film festival in tribute to him!
Photos credit: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon, Phil Lewis/Wenn/Avalon, James Warren/Bang Showbiz/Avalon, Getty
I agree with him about modern movies, and I was about to say he should count his own latest films under mediocre, but I see he understands this as well, hehe.
And Black Hawk Down was indeed a masterpiece.
Exhibit A: Gladiator 2.
Exhibit B: the last two Alien movies
That last photo looks like it could be a Rembrandt, with the velvet behind him. That’s like frameable piece.
I think his math is right but 5% memorable is true about any human endeavor isn’t it? Think novels, think football games, think restaurants. A genius that disrupts things and where nearly all output is a high level is really unique in a century. As a Jane Austen fan I think about this a lot.
Um, the last Gladiator movie he made was a mess of a plot with incredibly expensive special effects – some impressive (the flooded colosseum) and others less so (the cursed monkeys).
I mean, the flood colosseum was impressive but those CGI sharks looked ridiculous.