When a movie quote is memorable and connects with audiences, it can change the entire course of the plot and leave an impression on viewers. There are plenty ofmovies with bad reputations that are actually good. However, while the quality of a film relies on many different moving parts,it’s easy to immediately identify a good quote.When a quote makes the maximum impact, it’s moving, philosophical, and well-crafted. These lines are elevated even more by their delivery, as plenty of great actors grace the screen of films that are received well by critics and audiences.
Qualifying a movie as “bad” is subjective, as just because a movie isn’t of the highest quality or critically acclaimed doesn’t mean it can’t be fun to watch or enjoyable in a campy sense. Finding hidden gems within the dialogue of poorly reviewed films is like watching a project that wastes agreat ensemble cast on a bad movie. The individual quotes and actors make up for some of the pitfalls and often stick out in the audience’s memory because they came as a shock. This is whyamazing quotes are easy to recall, even in middling movies.
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams
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Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams is an action-adventure comedy film written and directed by Robert Rodriguez and is the sequel to the 2001 Spy Kids. The first members of the official OSS Spy Kids Division, Carmen and Juni Cortez, must head to a mysterious island to retrieve a strange device. However, a run-in with a rival group of spy siblings and a dangerous scientist forces them to unite with their parents to survive and complete their mission.
TheSpy Kidsmovies are beloved cult classics for generations of audiences. However, there’s no question that the premises can lean into outlandish territory and that they’re meant to be fun rather than meaningful. However, there’s a shocking moment inSpy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreamswhen a deep philosophical question is posed.This line is delivered by Steve Buscemi,who plays Romero, a scientist who is the creator of a technology used for evil in the film.
Hearing this quote in any movie would make the viewer think, but incorporating it into a children’s fantasy spy narrative is even more unexpected.
Hearing this quote in any movie would make the viewer think, but incorporating it into a children’s fantasy spy narrative is even more unexpected. However, it’s a great example of howfilms for younger audiences sneak meaningful themes and messages into the storyto teach the audience a lesson. Additionally, this line might have been put in to capture the attention of older viewers who weren’t prepared to be moved by the project.
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Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is a 2009 science fiction action film and the sequel to Transformers. Directed by Michael Bay, it follows Sam Witwicky, played by Shia LaBeouf, as he is drawn back into the conflict between Autobots and Decepticons due to mysterious symbols affecting his mind.
TheTransformersmovies have a complicated legacy, as they’re thrilling additions to the action genre, but the early films have faced criticism. These comments primarily have to do with the depiction of women and war, but the more recent installments ofTransformershave successfully evolved. However,Transformers: Revenge of the Fallenis an especially low-rated part of the franchise,as it didn’t capture the intrigue of the 2007 movie and treads no new territory in terms of story.
Megatron, voiced by Hugo Weaving, is the primary antagonist inTransformers: Revenge of the Fallen, and he speaks this chilling quote to his second-in-command, Starscream (Charlie Adler).In the wake of Starscream trying to undermine him and leave him for dead, Megatron makes his authority clearand exposes how much he craves power and wants to be in charge. Though Megatron is ultimately defeated, this moment is terrifying and expertly establishes the stakes and Megatron’s motivations as a character.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
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Nacho Libre
Nacho Libre is a comedy film directed by Jared Hess that was released in 2006. Jack Black stars as Friar by day and Luuchador by night. Ignacio is a kind-hearted dreamer who wrestles at night to pay the bills at the orphanage he works at.
Mike White, known for sharply written projects likeThe White LotusandSchool of Rockhelped penNacho Libre, a comedy movie starring Jack Black that isn’t afraid to get silly. The film follows Ignacio (Black), a priest who has a double life as a luchador, leading to plenty of hijinks and mistaken identities. Filled with slapstick comedy and at-times offensive humor,Nacho Libredoesn’t live up to the other works from the filmmakers behind the project.
Ignacio can be a sympathetic character, and his drive to achieve his dreams is one of the most compelling parts of the story.
However, Ignacio can be a sympathetic character, and his drive to achieve his dreams is one of the most compelling parts of the story. This comes through in lines like this, which inspire watchers to take control of their own lives and destinies. While not every audience member might want to be a professional wrestler,there’s still plenty to relate to about Ignacio and his enduring ability to stay positiveand know that he’ll be recognized for his true self.
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Can’t Hardly Wait
School is finally over, and a diverse group of graduating seniors—from athletes and popular students to the academically inclined—converges at a rich classmate’s house for a celebration. At the party, artistic Preston (Ethan Embry) aims to confess his long-held feelings to Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt), the school’s most admired beauty. Meanwhile, geeky William (Charlie Korsmo) plots revenge against jock Mike (Peter Facinelli) for years of torment. In another twist, aspiring rapper Kenny (Seth Green) finds himself accidentally trapped in a room with the sarcastic Denise (Lauren Ambrose).
Of all the teen coming-of-age rom-coms from the 1990s,Can’t Hardly Waitis often overlooked and hasn’t aged as well as some of the more iconic films. However, there’s still plenty to recommend aboutCan’t Hardly Wait, as it features a stellar ensemble cast with Jennifer Love Hewitt, Seth Green, and Lauren Ambrose.The movie centers on one night at a high school graduation party,following several misguided teens as they try to make their mark and create their ideal high school experience.
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Of course, this is no easy task, and many of the characters aren’t always the most kind to each other of themselves. However, the movie has something to say about what should be left up to chance and what a person must achieve for themselves.This kernel of wisdom is delivered by a woman dressed as an angelthat the protagonist runs into when he’s about to give up on the girl of his dreams. Through the quote, he’s convinced to keep trying and find out if he can make things work without the help of destiny.
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The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1
The fourth film in the Twilight film franchise, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, sets up the finale for the adaptation of the popular book series. Following the wedding of Edward and Bella, the two are soon with child, but its unnatural rate of growth begins to threaten Bella’s life, as well as strike fear into the hearts of the wolves. However, a greater threat marches ever closer for the residents of Forks.
Fans of theTwilightfranchise know that eventhough the central relationship between Bella and Edward isn’t always aspirational, it’s consistently romantic.The wedding between Bella and Edward, played by Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in the movies, was one of the most highly anticipated moments in the series, and the scene delivered. Edward proclaims his love for Bella many times throughout the works, but this is one of the best lines.
This ineffable bond and star-crossed love between the pair is the driving force behind the entire series, making it vital that the depth of their affection is convincing.
Breaking Dawn - Part 1features one ofTwilight’s best quotes about lovewhen Edward tells Bella that even being together forever wouldn’t be enough time. This ineffable bond and star-crossed love between the pair is the driving force behind the entire series, making it vital that the depth of their affection is convincing.It’s quotes like this that show how much Edward caresand why Bella would be so quick to change into a vampire to be with him forever.
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The Legend of Bagger Vance
The Legend of Bagger Vance is a sports drama directed by Robert Redford. Set in the aftermath of World War I, the film stars Matt Damon as disillusioned golfer Rannulph Junuh, who finds an unlikely mentor in the enigmatic caddy Bagger Vance, played by Will Smith. Charlize Theron co-stars as Junuh’s former love interest. The story revolves around a high-stakes golf tournament that becomes a path to redemption for the troubled protagonist.
Despite its strong cast and good intentions,The Legend of Bagger Vanceis a notoriously terrible movie, largely because of its racial stereotyping.Charlize Theron, Matt Damon, and Will Smith lead the cast, with Smith playing the titular characterwho helps coach Damon’s Rannulph Junuh through a game of golf. It’s heavily implied that Bagger Vance is a mystical god-like figure who comes to help Junuh through his trauma from fighting in World War I through the game, and this is where the swing comes in.
Most sports movies use a metaphor similar to this quote inThe Legend of Bagger Vance,as the perfect swing that Vance is trying to get Junuh to tap into is his higher self.This deeper ability and plane of existence that Vance envisions for Junuh takes the golfer a long time to find and is a recurring motif throughout the plot. However, it’s only made important through the way Vance talks about it and convinces Junuh how critical it is.
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Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The fourth installment in the Indiana Jones franchise, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull sees the return of the legendary hero 19 years after his last outing. In the film, Indy finds himself in a race against KGB operatives to locate a mysterious crystal skull, aided by his former lover Marion Ravenwood and their erstwhile son, Mutt Williams. Along with Harrison Ford, Karen Allen reprises her role as Marion, with Shia LaBeouf joining the cast as Mutt.
WhileIndiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skullis full of plenty of engaging scenes, it’s one of the less successful additions to the franchise in terms of execution. Though the stories inIndiana Jonesmovies have always bordered on the fantastical,Crystal Skullgoes all in with the existence of aliens, which was shocking for some viewers.However, the movie also gets to reflect on Indiana (Harrison Ford) as he ages and the impact of his legacy.
While this quote isn’t a revolutionary take on growing old and loss, it’s still a poignant moment in a more traditional action-adventure movie.
This isn’t anIndiana Jonesquote that’s aged poorly, but one of the best of the franchise, as it focuses on how much the characters and narrative have changed sinceThe Last Crusade. While this quote isn’t a revolutionary take on growing old and loss, it’s still a poignant moment in a more traditional action-adventure movie. It also touches upon how Indiana sacrificed so much to be an archeologist. The decision to makeCrystal Skullseemed a little gimmicky, butlines like this show that it has depth.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
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Masters of the Universe
Masters of the Universe follows the battle between He-Man and the evil Skeletor, who seizes Castle Grayskull with the mysterious Cosmic Key. As Skeletor gains power, He-Man allies with locksmith Gwildor to recover the weapon, leading both forces to Earth, where it inadvertently lands in the hands of two teenagers.
The live-action adaptation ofMasters of the Universewas not the smash-hit start of a franchise that producers and audiences hoped it would be. However, its campy sensibilities and nostalgia for 1980s action movies have ensured that it hasn’t faded completely into obscurity. Dolph Lundgren stars as He-Man, the iconic hero. Though Lundgren certainly looks the part of He-Man, his performance was critically panned,as was the pacing and special effects featured throughout the film. Despite this, Skeletor, the antagonist, is a highlight.
Part of the reason this line hits so well inMasters of the Universeis becauseFrank Langella plays Skeletor and manages to bring nuance and complexity to a typically one-dimensional villain.Since the battle between He-Man and Skeletor is so obviously one-sided, it can grow tiresome to see He-Man continuously beat back his foe with no deeper exploration of their battle. However,Masters of the Universeprovides a truly iconic quote that makes the audience empathize with Skeletor, if only for a moment.
Masters of the Universe (1987)
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Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith details the fall of the Jedi Order and Anakin Skywalker’s transformation under the influence of Darth Sidious. Released in 2005, the film explores Anakin’s internal conflict and the shifting political landscape, leading to the rise of the Galactic Empire.
Thankfully, the recent critical reevaluation ofRevenge of the Sithhas proved that the movie was underrated when it was first released and that it’s a pretty good movie. However, for many years, all theStar Warsprequels were considered terrible, and some of the dialogue throughout the trilogy was especially panned. WhileRevenge of the Sithdoes have some stilted moments,it’s also one of the most serious movies in the franchise, and many lines reflect this.
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As Anakin (Hayden Christensen) succumbs to the dark side and becomes Darth Vader, the Jedi and Padmé (Natalie Portman) fight to uphold the universe’s right to freedom, even though Palpatine is corrupting the Republic from the inside.Portman’s delivery of the line is just as strong as the line itself,as the viewer can see the devastation and disappointment inside her as she watches the world she fought for crumble. It’s a dark part of theStar Warscanon but is vital to understanding its narrative push for liberty and equality.
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The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl follows Max, a young boy with a vivid imagination, who discovers his imaginary heroes, Sharkboy and Lavagirl, are real. Together, they embark on an adventure, revealing Max’s potential to become extraordinary, despite his ordinary beginnings.
There are a decent number of inquisitive and thoughtful quotes throughout the children’s fantasy filmThe Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl. Primarily taking place inside the dreams of the protagonist, Max (Cayden Boyd),Sharkboy and Lavagirlis an epic quest for Max to accept who he isand come to terms with the parts of life he can’t control. The dream world is an escape for Max, who feels out of place and frustrated with his life.
This quote is a reminder that all innovation and invention come with a price,and not everyone who creates things is doing so for selfless purposes. Mr. Electric (George Lopez) is the one who says this to Max, which makes sense as he’s Max’s teacher outside of the dream world and tries to help Max see the bigger picture and connect to reality. ThoughThe Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirldon’t make too many ambitious points about life and humanity, this is a particularly compelling moment.
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl (2005)
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