AND THE TOMATO GOES TO…

Now that critics have had the opportunity to catch the Oscar hopefuls and other 2002 releases, it’s time to find out which movies they most enjoyed or hated in the 4th Annual RT Awards. Is it Chicago, the adaptation of the Broadway musical starring Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones? Perhaps it’s Roman Polanski’s Holocaust drama, The Pianist. Or maybe it’s About Schmidt — the critics love Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever and Pinocchio both have 0% on the Tomatometer, but are they really the worst? Keep reading to find out which movies have the distinction of being the best and worst reviewed of 2002.

Best Film

#1
#1
Adjusted Score: 104106%
Critics Consensus: The Two Towers balances spectacular action with emotional storytelling, leaving audiences both wholly satisfied and eager for the final chapter.
Synopsis: The sequel to the Golden Globe-nominated and AFI Award-winning "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "The... [More]
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen
Directed By: Peter Jackson

Moldy

#1

Rollerball (2002)
Tomatometer icon 3%

#1
Adjusted Score: 6622%
Critics Consensus: Removing the social critique of the original, this updated version of Rollerball is violent, confusing, and choppy. Klein makes for a bland hero.
Synopsis: Jonathan (Chris Klein) is the most popular player in the fastest and most extreme sport of all time: rollerball. Along... [More]
Starring: Chris Klein, Jean Reno, LL Cool J, Rebecca Romijn
Directed By: John McTiernan

Best Action/Adventure

#1
#1
Adjusted Score: 104106%
Critics Consensus: The Two Towers balances spectacular action with emotional storytelling, leaving audiences both wholly satisfied and eager for the final chapter.
Synopsis: The sequel to the Golden Globe-nominated and AFI Award-winning "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "The... [More]
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen
Directed By: Peter Jackson

Best Animation

#1

Spirited Away (2001)
Tomatometer icon 96%

#1
Adjusted Score: 104260%
Critics Consensus: Spirited Away is a dazzling, enchanting, and gorgeously drawn fairy tale that will leave viewers a little more curious and fascinated by the world around them.
Synopsis: 10-year-old Chihiro (Daveigh Chase) moves with her parents to a new home in the Japanese countryside. After taking a wrong... [More]
Starring: Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Jason Marsden, Susan Egan
Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki

Best Comedy

#1

About a Boy (2002)
Tomatometer icon 93%

#1
Adjusted Score: 99246%
Critics Consensus: About a Boy benefits tremendously from Hugh Grant's layered performance, as well as a funny, moving story that tugs at the heartstrings without tilting into treacle.
Synopsis: A comedy-drama starring Hugh Grant as Will, a rich, child-free and irresponsible Londoner in his thirties who, in search of... [More]
Starring: Hugh Grant, Rachel Weisz, Toni Collette, Nicholas Hoult
Directed By: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz

Best Drama

#1

Catch Me if You Can (2002)
Tomatometer icon 96%

#1
Adjusted Score: 102912%
Critics Consensus: With help from a strong performance by Leonardo DiCaprio as real-life wunderkind con artist Frank Abagnale, Steven Spielberg crafts a film that's stylish, breezily entertaining, and surprisingly sweet.
Synopsis: Frank Abagnale, Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) worked as a doctor, a lawyer, and as a co-pilot for a major airline --... [More]
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen
Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Best Horror

#1

Signs (2002)
Tomatometer icon 75%

#1
Adjusted Score: 83401%
Critics Consensus: With Signs, Shyamalan proves once again an expert at building suspense and giving audiences the chills.
Synopsis: Everything that farmer Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) assumed about the world is changed when he discovers a message - an... [More]
Starring: Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Cherry Jones, Rory Culkin
Directed By: M. Night Shyamalan

Best Romance

#1

Spider-Man (2002)
Tomatometer icon 90%

#1
Adjusted Score: 98714%
Critics Consensus: Not only does Spider-Man provide a good dose of web-swinging fun, it also has a heart, thanks to the combined charms of director Sam Raimi and star Tobey Maguire.
Synopsis: "Spider-Man" centers on student Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) who, after being bitten by a genetically-altered spider, gains superhuman strength and... [More]
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco
Directed By: Sam Raimi

Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy

#1
#1
Adjusted Score: 104106%
Critics Consensus: The Two Towers balances spectacular action with emotional storytelling, leaving audiences both wholly satisfied and eager for the final chapter.
Synopsis: The sequel to the Golden Globe-nominated and AFI Award-winning "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "The... [More]
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen
Directed By: Peter Jackson

Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy

#1

Insomnia (2002)
Tomatometer icon 92%

#1
Adjusted Score: 99025%
Critics Consensus: Driven by Al Pacino and Robin Williams' performances, Insomnia is a smart and riveting psychological drama.
Synopsis: From acclaimed director Chris Nolan ("Memento") comes the story of a veteran police detective (Al Pacino) who is sent to... [More]
Starring: Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hilary Swank, Maura Tierney
Directed By: Christopher Nolan