Overrated? Yes, the title is enough. The title is all it is.

Rating: 8/10 (3 February 1999)

Articles have recently appeared in film magazines and newsletters about how many critics are lazy and unoriginal. Many movies have recently been revealed as completely invulnerable to criticism because they are very daring in subject matter or have been labeled as classics (Though I may be one of the first to apply this to Citizen Kane). The truth is, no one dared say anything about these films until now(--I salute every original critic out there who dares to go so far out on a limb just to share their ideas, inspiring many to think differently--).
I never saw myself as a hypocrite, but I guess I once was when I would force myself to believe that Citizen Kane was far above any movie I had ever seen. I have seen many movies far more entertaining than this immortalized title. The easiest thing for me to say would be 'Citizen Kane; best movie ever' and I would be somewhat accepted into the society of two-faced film commentators. But I won't.
Don't get me wrong. Citizen Kane is a delightful film. The story is original, the acting was good, and the directing was superb, especially for its time period where most movies were flatly staged. Maybe the epic-like storyline didn't stick, or I saw it just for the sake of seeing it, or I was tired, but it just wasn't as moving or emotionally shaking as a '#1 movie in the world, ever' should be. It seemed like any other studio movie I had ever seen. I just wasn't satisfied. My expectations must have been too high.
I guess you should see it, just don't make the same mistake that I did.