Harry Potter Finale Wins Golden Tomato

JAN 6, 2012 - Last year's Harry Potter finale has won the Golden Tomato award, courtesy of movie review website Rotten Tomatoes. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, the top box-office draw of 2011, is also the best-reviewed, wide-release movie of 2011.

While the thought of winning a Golden Tomato might bring a smile to anyone, winning one is no joke in Hollywood. It is a point of pride for filmmakers and signals studio bosses and producers as to which directors are hot among critics.

Matt Atchity, editor-in-chief of Rotten Tomatoes, notes that Disney/Pixar keeps its Golden Tomatoes in the same glass case as it does its Oscars. Indeed, "Potter" producer David Heyman said in a statement that the film-making team was "especially appreciative that this award honours the final film in the series."

"Deathly Hallows - Part 2" earned US$1.3 billion at worldwide box offices and scored a 96 percent "fresh," or positive, rating from 273 reviews compiled by Rotten Tomatoes.

"It is the best reviewed 'Harry Potter' of all. The other ones have had a Golden Tomato for best sci-fi film, but this is the first to win the wide release award," Atchity told Reuters.

Other 2011 Golden Tomato Award-winners include:

* Action-adventure: Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol
* Animation: Arthur Christmas
* Drama: Moneyball
* Horror: Attack the Block
* Kids/Family: The Muppets
* Romance: Weekend
* Thriller: Drive
* User-reviewed: 50/50