zombie84 said:

Alexrd said:

TPM set the precedent in blockbusters that you can make a profit despite a film's awfulness.

The film's awfulness is not a fact, though.

It's awfulness is not a fact, true, because this is all subjective. However, it is a commonly held opinion and a wide public census, thus making the point salient:

I wouldn't call it a majorly held opinion, nor a wide public census. I recall seeing an article about public opinion on TPM, and it was regarded as positively recieved. Even critical reception was mixed to positive reviews. Many people saw it many times in theater (I even remember some groups going back to ticket line after watching the film, in my country).

as far as most people are concerned, TPM showed that a movie can be a major success while also being widely disliked.

Yes, as it was widely liked. But that happens with almost every "love it or hate it" movie.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.