movies/tv What does it mean when someone says something "lacks substance?"

[Pony Of The Month 534]

I had no idea where to put this thread....

 

So anyways, do you know what really bothers me? When people criticize a movie, show, episode, book, etc. by saying that it "lacks substance." Does that really mean anything other than "I think it sucks?" Is there a difference between "That movies sucks" and "That movie lacks substance?" I don't know why this bothers me, but it does.

 

I guess the worst part is that to me, it sounds like people are just using euphemisms for "this sucks."

 

Maybe what I'm really asking for is for people to ACTUALLY criticize something. Saying "This sucks" is not a valid criticism if you can't support it with reasons other than "it lacks substance."

 

I did in another thread say that I would stop paying attention to other people's criticisms and just focus on my own, but this "lack of substance" thing is just..... I don't know....

 

What do you think? Does "lacks substance" mean "it sucks" or does it mean something more? If it really does mean something else, I apologize for my ignorance.

[Leafeon 2,702]

I know what you mean about hating it when people just say something sucks. I also hate it when people say that they like something with no reason, but, just me.

 

And; yea. It's just a nicer way of saying something is bad; or so I believe.

[Shanks 10,816]

That bothers me too, if I genuinely think something sucks I will say that it sucks and say why it sucks and not beat around the bush by saying something like "it lacks substance". Really how?

[IronPuddinG 249]

I was under the impression that lacking substance simply meant that the entire movie/story/etc. just didn't have enough stuff going on.  The plot, emotions, characterization... everything, really, just didn't cut it.  It's just in general a weak story or whatever.  I guess it's like throwing a punch.  You can get the right technique, hit the right place on the other guy and what not, but if you're just plain weak, it's not going to do anything major.

Just my opinion of it, anyway.

[lincolnshirepony 527]

I usually interpret the phrase to mean that the story was shallow or thematically weak. I think it's a phrase that's easy to toss around. It can be a reason to dislike something, but it doesn't necessarily hold a lot of weight as an argument unless someone gives a reason as to why they think it lacked substance.

[Mutemutt 773]

It means movie, story, etc. is shallow. There is nothing significant about it; the elements of the piece are weak. 

 

I guess some people might use it as nice way of saying "this sucks" though, especially if they don't attempt to explain why something lacks substance.