History Main / ReviewerStockPhrases

** Even if it isn't, it's still open to comparison these days. See certain editions of ''DragonridersOfPern'' books, and how for a while every ''TheDresdenFiles'' book had "[[WallBanger ...as another wizard named Harry]]" on the front or back (or both). Not as painful since [[DarkerAndEdgier later books]] came out, but it still leads to [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotForKids misunderstandings]].

* Before the whole recent push towards being obsessed with [[NostalgiaFilter "retro gaming"]], it was common to see any post-1999 2D game being described as having "SNES graphics."

* Whenever an [[VideoReviewShow internet-based critic]] reviews something bad, expect [[RefugeInVulgarity a lot of]] fecal and/or sexual metaphors.

* On episode of [[ThirtyRock 30 Rock]]'' has Pete use the stock acting description to say that Tracy Morgan is phoning it in. Then clarifies that this is NotHyperbole, he's doing the scene over the phone from his dressing room.

* One episode of ''SpinCity'' had the Mayor asking his staff for their reviews of his performance as mayor. Paul's review consisted entirely of lines like these he stole from various movie reviews, including the line, "Stallone is pure adrenaline."

** Ritz, glitz, chic, freak(y), geek, tired, trashy, and in. All entirely meaningless anymore. Can also be applied to gossip rags [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment when applicable]].

->''There is no such thing as fun for the whole family.''

* Page-turner comes up often.

* If it resembles a better-known work in the same genre, you might see "invites comparison to..." This can backfire, however. ("Invites comparison to ''LordOfTheRings''. ''Lord Of The Rings'' was great. This is crap.")
* Some variant of "I couldn't put it down" often turns up in positive reviews, although this at least MEANS something. As literary types, critics are naturally uncomfortable using wacky and zany neologism "unputdownable".

[[folder:Film]]
* Riveting. When was the last time you saw that word used outside of a movie review context? Apart from [[StealthPun metalwork class]] that is?

** Every action movie has at some point been referred to as a "roller coaster ride" or "thrill ride". Directors are typically called "visionary" for reasons which are often unclear.

* "Sophomoric" has become a cliche phrase within music reviews. As has the infamous "Sophomore slump" that critics use to describe disappointing follow-up records.

* Anything recorded between 1976 and 1982 will have to answer to punk or new wave, Similarly, anything recorded between 1988 and 1997 will have to answer to AlternativeRock or grunge. In short, if there's a subversive musical movement [[CausticCritic caustic critics]] champion as cutting edge or the future of music, especially if the album or artist is seen as "irrelevant" to that new movement, then expect that subject to be brought up in each review, regardless of the reviewed album's style, demographic or artistic intent. Certainly don't expect that review to take (or to understand) a non-"relevant" artist or style on its own merits.
** Here's a game for you to play: Every time you see a music mag use the word "relevant" as a replacement for "good" - take a shot. Wait, what am I saying?! '''[[TooDumbToLive DO NOT DO THAT]].'''

* KillerApp: a game so good it's a system seller: ''SuperMarioBros'', ''{{Halo}}'' Master Chief]], ''{{Tetris}}'', ''MetalGearSolid'', et al.
* X Clone: a game that uses a recent successful game's style in a good or bad way. Double points if the "X" is extremely old and part of a genre that has changed a lot over time (like ''{{Doom}}'' for a FirstPersonShooter) or NewerThanTheyThink and not what the game is really inspired by: ''({{Bayonetta}}'' was named a ''GodOfWar'' clone instead of ''DevilMayCry'', [[SignatureStyle with which it shares a director]]). Triple points if it's actually kind of accurate - see ''SaintsRow'' after ''GrandTheftAuto'' or ''UFOAfterBlank'' for ''{{XCOM}}''.

* Whenever an [[VideoReviewShow internet-based critic]] reviews something bad, expect fecal and/or sexual metaphors. [[RefugeInVulgarity A LOT OF THEM]].

* The term "dark." It's OlderThanDirt, tracing back to the Biblical days or further, and one of the most overused descriptors in the history of media. Any show that's violent, negative, or set in a CrapsackWorld is [[DarkerAndEdgier "dark."]] Any band that makes ominous, [[TrueArtIsAngsty angsty]], or sad music will inevitably be called "dark." Characters always have "dark pasts" and "dark secrets" that will one day lead them to TheDarkSide. (Not to mention that a "[[ItWasADarkAndStormyNight Dark and stormy night"]] is never a good thing.) Thankfully, [[DarkIsNotEvil this is often subverted.]]

* The "It's DieHard [[DieHardOnAnX On An X]]" line that's popped up in reviews for the past 25 years.

* The ''{{Discworld}}'' book ''The Truth'' played with this trope. One of the early books had a foreword reading "This book is not wacky. Only dumb redheads in Fifties {{Sitcom}}s are wacky. It isn't zany, either."

->''The taglline on the cover says "An action-packed thrill ride!" This line is so generic it's almost invisible. It says nothing! I defy you to come up with a more forgettable box quote. For bonus points use the words Fast, Furious, Rollercoaster and Tour de Force...\\

* The ''{{Discworld}}'' book ''The Truth'' played with this trope.

* If it's aimed at young adults and has even the slightest element of fantasy, it'll be perfect for Harry Potter fans, regardless of any actual similarities.

** In the same vein, if it has anthropomorphic woodland creatures, especially if they're mice, it'll be "perfect for fans of {{Redwall}}."
* If it resembles a better-known work in the same genre, you might see "invites comparison to." This can backfire, however. ("Invites comparison to ''LordOfTheRings''. ''Lord Of The Rings'' was great. This is crap.")

* Peter Travers, the film critic for Rolling Stone, often peppers his reviews with cliche phrases like "crackerjack thrillride," "enjoy the air conditioning," or "check your brain in at the door" to describe action movies that require little attention.

** "Whiskey-soaked" is the stock phrase to describeTom Waits' voice.

* KillerApp: a game so good it's a system seller: [[SuperMarioBros Mario]], [[{{Halo}} Master Chief]], [[MetalGearSolid Snake]], et al.
* X Clone: a game that uses a recent successful game's style in a good or bad way. Double points if the "X" is extremely old and part of a genre that has changed a lot over time (like {{Doom}} for a first person shooter) or NewerThanTheyThink and not what the game is really inspired by ({{Bayonetta}} named a GodOfWar clone instead of DevilMayCry, [[SignatureStyle with which it shares a director]]). Triple points if it's actually kind of accurate--see SaintsRow after [[GrandTheftAuto GTA]] or UFOAfterBlank for {{XCOM}}.

* When a woman runs for political office -- particularly if she's over fifty, is not pretty, or is running on actual ''issues'' rather than her own folksy charm -- her arguments will always be described as "strident" or "shrill". These words are never applied to male candidates.

* The word ''chic'' in fashion, can be applied to anything the reviewer likes, the word having no actual meaning unto itself.

** Or "searing."
** What about "blazing?" This Troper's never even heard any of those others.

* Riveting. Just... riveting. When was the last time you saw that word used outside of a movie review context? Apart from [[StealthPun metalwork class]] that is?

* Film reviews of blockbusters often feature "This Year's X": "''Film/StarTrek'' is this year's ''Film/IronMan''", for example.
** "The Next X" is similiar, also for [[ViewersAreMorons people who can't comprehend that something can stand on its own without being compared to something else.]]

* "[[AllAdultAnimationIsSouthPark It's like]] ''SouthPark'' [[AllAdultAnimationIsSouthPark in/on/with X]]" was and still is very popular to describe any very "mature" bit of western animation that includes loads of swearing or adult situations. It used to be that any very "mature" show that was a RefugeInVulgarity or RefugeInAudacity was compared to ''TheSimpsons'', but this has been phased out with other outrageous cartoon shows from Western Animation. Yet another sign that ''TheSimpsons'' isn't as outrageous as it used to be.

* "Sophomoric" has become a cliche phrase within music reviews.
** As has the infamous "Sophomore slump" that critics use to describe disappointing follow-up records.
** Also, "eponymous".
*** Which isn't a cliché at all... Since referring to something as eponymous is something with their own name. For example the first LedZeppelin album was called ''Led Zeppelin'' and is often referred to as their eponymous album.

** [[IronMan Tony Stark]]?
** {{Oireland}}?
** Me [[TVTropesWikiDrinkingGame after surfing TVTropes for a couple hours?]]

** {{Egregious}}! [[TVTropesWikiDrinkingGame (takes a shot)]]
** [[CompletelyMissingThePoint BANG!]]

----
<<|StockPhrases|>>

[[folder:Anime]]
* "AzumangaDaioh is x on crack", "LuckyStar is x on crack". Aside from half the shows getting this treatment aren't really completely off-the-walls bonkers, you people ever see a crack addict? They are not [[CloudCuckooLander charmingly whimsical fellows!]]
** To a lesser extent, saying something is "x on LSD". At least LSD is known for making everything, including your own hands, a surreal experience.
*** AzumangaDaioh is anime on Ecstasy?
[[/folder]]

** To a lesser extend, saying something is "x on LSD". At least LSD is known for causing trippiness.

-->--'''[[TheSpoonyExperiment The Spoony One]], reviewing WingCommander TheMovie.'''