10 Bad Movies That Actually Have A Really Good Scene Or Side Plot

I’m generally not very optimistic about real-world issues, but I always try to find the good in movies. Even in truly terrible films, I can usually find something to appreciate – a great scene, or a compelling side story that makes it almost worth watching.

Whether it’s new movies planned for 2025 or films that audiences strongly disagreed about, some movies have moments that save them from being truly awful. They aren’t *good* movies, but certain scenes elevate them a little bit.

Tron: Ares (2025) – The Light Jet Ski Chase Sequence

I didn’t expect *Tron: Ares* to be a top movie of the year, and honestly, neither did anyone else. I was surprised by the initial reviews (TopMob gave it a 2.5 out of 5). While the movie isn’t perfect – it prioritizes visuals over a strong story and stars Jared Leto – there are still enjoyable parts to this attempt to revive the *Tron* series.

I’m referring to the incredible jet ski chase scene where Ares and Eve Kim try to escape with the Dillinger mainframe, while Athena pursues them. It has everything you’d expect from *Tron*: amazing graphics, exciting action, and a fantastic soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails.

Spectre (2015) – Opening Scene In Mexico City

Let’s be honest, *Spectre* isn’t one of the best James Bond movies starring Daniel Craig. Coming after the hugely popular *Skyfall*, the 2015 film stumbled with a series of mistakes regarding Bond and the overall direction of the series. That said, it wasn’t a complete failure…

As a huge Bond fan, I have to say the opening of *Spectre* is truly something special. The way Sam Mendes directed it, and Hoyte van Hoytema filmed it, was just incredible – so detailed, intense, and smooth. That long sequence through Mexico City during the Day of the Dead celebrations is phenomenal. It’s a real shame the rest of the film didn’t quite reach that same level, honestly.

The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) – Roland Tembo’s Hunt For Dinosaurs

Let’s be blunt: *The Lost World: Jurassic Park* isn’t a very good movie. It just doesn’t capture the magic, depth, or lasting appeal of the original. I’ve always struggled with it, and it’s not just because it led to a frustrating and uninspired video game.

Even though I have issues with the movie, I always enjoy the subplot featuring big game hunter Roland Tembo, played by Pete Postlethwaite, in *The Lost World*. I genuinely believe the film would be stronger if it focused on his story instead of Jeff Goldblum’s character documenting the dinosaurs.

Street Fighter (1994) – M. Bison’s ‘For Me, It Was Tuesday’ Speech

I realize *Street Fighter* isn’t a good film, but I still enjoy it for being such a wild and over-the-top video game adaptation from 1994. I can’t explain what Jean-Claude Van Damme was going for with his performance as Guile, but Raul Julia’s portrayal of the villain, M. Bison, is something special.

Even though Julia passed away shortly before the game came out, her work in *Street Fighter* remains surprisingly impactful. While her character has a complex story, the moment that always stands out is when she casually replies, “For me, it was Tuesday,” after Chun-Li Zang (Ming-Na Wen) reveals that Shadaloo’s leader murdered her father.

The Matrix Reloaded (2003) – The Highway Chase Sequence

Despite some confusing and over-the-top elements – like the strange underground party and a needlessly complex storyline – *The Matrix Reloaded* doesn’t quite hit the mark in many ways. Still, one scene remains genuinely impressive even today.

I’m referring to the thrilling highway chase in *The Matrix* where Neo and his team race to rescue the Keymaker. It’s a standout scene thanks to the unsettling twins, stunning visuals, and the Wachowskis’ talent for creating incredibly dynamic action.

Army Of The Dead (2021) – Those Robot Zombies

Zack Snyder’s *Army of the Dead* is a visually impressive and action-filled zombie movie, arriving almost two decades after his remake of *Dawn of the Dead*. While it can feel a bit empty and isn’t particularly memorable, the 2021 Netflix film introduced a surprisingly ambitious idea—robot zombies and time loops—that unfortunately wasn’t fully developed.

Throughout the movie, there are a few scenes where the zombies look more like robots than actual decaying humans. People discussed this interesting concept after the film came out, but now that the series isn’t continuing, it doesn’t seem like this idea will be developed further.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) – Skynet Takes Over

I didn’t really enjoy *Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines* when it was released in 2003, and I still feel the same way today. But one thing that hasn’t changed over the last 22 years is how awesome the scene where Skynet gains sentience is – it’s easily one of the best parts of the whole *Terminator* series.

We’ve heard about rogue AI taking over the world in movies for years, so finally seeing it happen on screen was really cool. It’s too bad the rest of the film wasn’t very good, though.

Batman V. Superman (2016) – Bruce Wayne’s PTSD

While not the lowest point for superhero films like *Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice*, it’s generally considered a very flawed movie. It suffers from a complicated, overly long plot, a consistently gloomy tone, and visuals that are often too dark. However, despite all its problems, there’s still something genuinely good about it.

While many superhero films are starting to address mental health, *Batman v Superman* touches on it, mainly through Bruce Wayne’s struggle with PTSD. The events of *Man of Steel* deeply affected him, and his resulting trauma shapes how he sees the world and what he does.

Pearl Harbor (2001) – The Attack On Pearl Harbor

As a film buff, it’s always frustrating when a movie with so much potential falls flat. *Pearl Harbor* really stands out in that regard. It had everything going for it – a huge budget, A-list stars, and a truly important historical event at its core. But honestly, while it was a massive summer blockbuster back in 2001, the actual attack on Pearl Harbor – the event the movie’s named after – feels strangely lost within its over three-hour runtime. It’s a shame, because it *could* have been something truly special, not just a film remembered for one good sequence.

Despite everything, the long, detailed recreation of that tragic day in American history is truly impressive. From the first attack, to Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character firing the anti-aircraft gun, and the brave response from American pilots, the sequence is a stunning cinematic experience.

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) – Duel Of The Fates

While *Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace* isn’t the absolute worst film in the series – or even the worst of the prequel trilogy – it’s still a pretty flawed movie. It makes the *Star Wars* universe unnecessarily complicated, features some disappointing characters, and doesn’t hold up very well today. On the bright side, it does include the fantastic ‘Duel of the Fates’ sequence.

More than 25 years later, people are still captivated by the lightsaber duel and the pod-racing sequence. The fight choreography was groundbreaking for its time, and John Williams’ music perfectly complements the action.

Okay, so these aren’t exactly cinematic masterpieces, but there are moments – little scenes or side stories – that really grab me and make the whole experience worthwhile. They save the movies, honestly.

2025-10-15 18:08