Key Takeaways:
* Netflix declined to purchase the film ‘Harold and the Purple Crayon’, breaking from its history of rescuing failed movies.
* This decision suggests a change in strategy as Netflix intends to produce better quality films.
* Despite negative critical consensus, the film received a 91% audience score on the ‘Popcornmeter’.
The streaming giant Netflix, known for buying under-performing movies from other film studios, has surprisingly declined to buy one particular film. The film in question is the fantastical comedy ‘Harold and the Purple Crayon’ starred by Zachary Levi.
The Background
As the time for the movie’s release drew near, Sony was said to have contacted Netflix about possibly buying the film. Sony executives were reportedly fond of the film, but were concerned about its ability to compete with blockbuster animations such as ‘Inside Out 2’ and ‘Despicable Me 4’. These concerns turned out to be well-founded as the film didn’t do well at the box office.
Netflix has in the past swooped in to buy films that studios thought might not make much at the box office, like ‘The Cloverfield Paradox’ and ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’. This was seen as a way for studios to try and recoup some of their investments. However, this time around, Netflix was not interested in adding ‘Harold and the Purple Crayon’ to its collection.
An Unexpected Shift in Strategy
This move may suggest a shift in Netflix’s approach to acquiring films. According to anonymous insiders, the streaming giant is now planning to focus on making better quality films. That means they’re not as interested in buying other studios’ rejected films. Reports suggest this change came about under new film chairman Dan Lin, who took over earlier this year.
Harold and his Not So Magical Journey
‘Harold and the Purple Crayon’, directed by Carlos Saldanha, is based on the beloved children’s book by Crockett Johnson. The film transformed the four-year-old lead character into the adult actor Zachary Levi, who also plays Shazam. Levi’s character uses his magic crayon to create a whole new reality, a surreal exploration of art and creativity.
However, despite such an inviting premise, the movie has been poorly received by critics. The film currently holds a disappointing 26% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics citing the film’s failure to capture the simple charm of its source material.
An Unexpected Audience Response
Despite the rough road for Harold and his purple crayon, the movie was well-received by audiences. It scored an impressive 91% on the audience score ‘Popcornmeter’. This stark difference between critics and audiences shows that movie reviews aren’t always in line with public opinion.
Conclusion
Netflix’s decision not to buy ‘Harold and the Purple Crayon’ speaks volumes about its future direction. The platform, which has been acquiring lesser films in the past, is now transitioning its strategy towards higher-quality production. While critics didn’t praise ‘Harold and the Purple Crayon’, it seems that audiences enjoyed the film, pointing to the fact that success isn’t always measured by box office hits or critical reviews. This entire saga is a clear reminder that entertainment platforms and the movie industry are consistently evolving.
