I don’t think a movie can be “really bad” only because of a voicing, so it also can’t be elevated to good with just a voice. There are too many other factors into what makes - or for me goes into - a good or bad or really bad movie. Even when a voicing can ruin a good or very good movie.
They do have significant influence, though. Germany has a very strong dubbing industry, but I still prefer EN original voicing. And for JP anime, I much prefer original JP voicing. It makes a big difference.
I can’t say I have seen and heard many in both forms, but only very rarely do I like/find equally good or prefer the dub. There are good ones. But in the wide industry, I find them largely sub-par.
Maybe there’s more difference between different languages and societies compared to what you were asking. But I think they go into the same theme/aspect.
Historical fun fact:
Back in Ye Olde Days, movies didn’t have sound. But it had some amazing moviestars, since it takes a LOT of skill to make a convincing character with no sound.
But then, they invented “Talkies” (as in, movies where people talk). And suddenly, people like Pola Negri, a polish actress with a VERY heavy accent had some major issues. Same for Karl Dane, who had (humorously) a heavy Danish accent. They both went from top-of-the-line, A-list actors to basically nobody. Karl Dane ended up comitting suicide over it.
Other actors, like Charlie Chaplin, just really didn’t do many Talkies, except for a few VERY famous ones, his speach in the Great Dictator is famous for a reason.
They made a whole musical about this called “Singin’ in the Rain”
As far as my opinion goes. “I can’t stan ‘em”
Yes, chaning the voice of an actor can absolutly make a movie terrible. See: Most German dubs.
There are clips floating around of Darth Vader before they dubbed his voice, it completely changes the character, and he just wouldn’t have been as intimidating without it.
Yes, it makes a huge difference.
I am annoyed as fuck because Billy Goddamn Crystal was a voice in Miyazaki’s “Howl’s Moving Castle”. Cringed every time he spoke, breaking the experience
Not sure if Bad->Good is possible, but the other way around certainly is.
Imagine BBC nature documentaries being voiced by Gilbert Gottfried instead of David Attenborough.
