Consistency is difficult in any medium. For a movie to be great, many elements must come together to create perfect scene after perfect scene. Most films retain a level of general quality throughout. Skilled actors and directors stay on top of things, ensuring that the movie maintains stays on track.
Nonetheless, some movies have a significant dip in quality. Despite their entertaining, compelling, and well-crafted beginnings, the plot begins to slip. From characters making bizarre decisions to the plot becoming less interesting as time goes on, several movies fail to maintain consistent quality all the way through.
This article contains video clips from various movies ranging from family friendly to R rated. Some clips include strong language, sensual themes, or sequences of gore, torture, and other sensitive topics.
10 Spectre
Daniel Craig's tenure as James Bond has been an uneven one. Films like No Time to Die, Casino Royale, and Skyfall have been heralded as some of the long-running franchise's best efforts. Entries like Quantum of Solace and Spectre have failed to win the same appreciation. However, Spectre begins with promise.
Spectre's first scene is a stylish, dynamic action sequence set in Mexico City during the Day of the Dead. The cinematography, choreography, and direction come together to create an entertaining set piece. However, the rest of the movie falls prey to a weak plot, underdeveloped characters, and ham-fisted attempts to tie the other films together.
9 X-Men Origins: Wolverine
X-Men Origins: Wolverine is infamous for being one of the X-Men film franchise's worst entries. It suffers from a nonsensical plot, poor effects, and unnecessary changes to fan-favorite characters. At the same time, fans adore its opening credits sequence for its slick style and unmatched potential.
After a short prologue, X-Men Origins: Wolverine portrays Logan and Victor fighting through America's historical wars. A well-shot and well-edited montage depicts them in the American Civil War, both World Wars, and Vietnam. Many fans wish this had been the film's plot instead. Origins' opening highlights a level of style that the rest of the film lacks.
8 Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is a film with many weaknesses. Fans and critics alike pan its casting, story, and unfulfilled potential. The film is confusing, poorly paced, and more generic than it should be. Its main strengths are an interesting premise and beautiful visuals.
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets' opening scene shows both of these off in full. It details the creation of Alpha from the International Space Station. Set to David Bowie's "Space Oddity," montage depicts humanity's first contact with many alien species who add to Alpha in their own way. The opening is beautiful, heartfelt, and a rare sequence that plays to Valerian's strength.
7 The Dark Knight Rises
The Dark Knight Rises isn't a bad film. Fans still consider it one of the best Batman films ever made, even if it can't live up to The Dark Knight's success. However, it begins to run out of steam after a promising beginning. The Dark Knight Rises opens with Bane's gripping, clever attack to crash a CIA plane and abduct a nuclear scientist.
This opening is The Dark Knight Rises' best scene, but it's far from the only worthwhile part of the film. The early story threads, like Bruce Wayne's turn to being a recluse and Bane's takeover of Gotham, are all very well-crafted. However, The Dark Knight Rises trails off as it enters its third act. Its plot twists become more outlandish, and its story starts relying on shaky logic. Many consider the ending a major letdown.
6 Watchmen
Watchmen is one of the more divisive superhero movies of the 2000s. Many highlight its ambition, faithfulness to the original comic book, and stellar casting. Detractors point to its length, unintentional comedy, and strange direction choices. However, even those who don't like the film tend to enjoy its opening.
Watchmen opens on a thrilling fight scene between the Comedian and an unseen assailant. It underscores Zack Snyder's best traits as a director and kicks things into high gear. Then, it takes a step back and shows a montage of its alternate timeline. Decades of history become clear through a few choice images. The rest of the film feels bloated and indulgent, but both of these scenes have excellent quality.
5 The Karate Kid Part II
No Karate Kid movie has achieved the same success as the original The Karate Kid. The second film takes things in an unbelievable direction while the third is an uncreative retread. The sequel, The Karate Kid Part II, opens on a strong note it soon squanders.
The Karate Kid Part II opens on John Kreese attacking Johnny Lawrence for his defeat in The Karate Kid. Mr. Miyagi intervenes in their fight and immobilizes Kreese. It's an excellent showing for the fan-favorite Mr. Miyagi that hints at a good follow-up to the first film. However, the rest of the movie takes a hard turn into much stranger and less compelling territory.
4 Suicide Squad
Suicide Squad is one of the biggest disappointments of the entire DCEU. A fun premise and effective advertising give way to a half-baked plot and wasted characters. However, the film's first scenes deliver on some of that promised fun. Suicide Squad introduces each of Task Force X with their own vignette.
Even then, Suicide Squad shows itself to be self-indulgent and inconsistent. Regardless, these vignettes are all genuinely entertaining, especially for major characters like Harley Quinn and Deadshot. It's only when the plot moves into place that the film falls apart.
3 Up
Many viewers consider Up to be one of Pixar's most poignant and emotional films. A lot of this perception comes from its opening minutes. Up dedicates its intro to showing Ellie and Carl's entire marriage. A montage highlights the two fixing up their house, their attempts to have children, the repeated delays to their dream, and Ellie's tragic death.
Up is a quality film throughout. However, this opening montage is beloved for a reason. It's one of the most moving and effective sequences that Pixar has put to film. The rest of the film, as good as it is, can't match the high standard set by the opening montage.
2 28 Weeks Later
28 Weeks Later is a well-liked zombie film. However, most fans agree that it's inferior to its predecessor, 28 Days Later. Many feel 28 Weeks Later is more generic and less tense than the unique atmosphere created in 28 Days Later. The only scene in 28 Weeks Later that can compete with its predecessor is the very opening.
28 Weeks Later begins with a group attempting to survive the outbreak's earliest days. However, a group of infected follow a boy they rescue and attack. It's a scene with all the first film's tension, danger, and excitement. Part of the reason this scene delivers is that it's the film's only scene directed by Danny Boyle, 28 Days Later's director.
1 Thor: Love And Thunder
Thor: Love and Thunder is a major Marvel Cinematic Universe disappointment. It's an underwhelming follow-up to the beloved Thor: Ragnarok. Fans and critics both pan its clumsy tone, inconsistent humor, and questionable choices in characterization. However, it has a glimmer of potential in its earliest scenes.
Thor: Love and Thunder opens on an impressive and heartfelt sequence with Christopher Bale's Gorr the God-Butcher. He buries his daughter, confronts his gods, and starts his journey to villainy. Even after that, there's an entertaining scene showcasing Thor's dynamic with the Guardians of the Galaxy. However, things quickly fall apart as soon as these two elements mix.