Although renowned film critic Roger Ebert loved some superhero movies, there were some he really hated. Often considered one of the most influential film critics of all time, Roger Ebert's distinctive voice and characteristic way of cutting through jargon to deliver succinct, witty film reviews have caused him to judge countless films. While Roger Ebert loved some superhero movies, there were other entries in the genre that he truly hated.
When Ebert passed away in 2013, he didn't live to see the superhero fulfill his full potential as a dominant force in modern cinema, but he did witness the birth of the MCU and its pioneering of the genre. For all the comic book movies Ebert thought were great, there were others he despised. At the time, Roger Ebert was known for loving terrible films, but some superhero films have proven to be downright critic unappealing.
10
Elektra (2005)
Ebert Rating: 1.5 / 4 stars
2005 Elektra brought Jennifer Garner's titular character back from the dead after her introduction and death in Daredevil. The film, which received terrible reviews overall, was also a superhero film that Roger Ebert hated. Rating it 1.5 stars out of 4, Ebert considered Elektra to be “confused” and “lost in the clutter”, lamenting his many mistakes with his unique sense of humor.
Ebert's review of the film mocks many of its more absurd elements, criticizing Elektraapparent inability to adequately contextualize his own story. He also disliked the film's action sequences, explaining: “none of its shots are more than a few seconds long, preventing the actors from doing too many stunts and the director from having to worry too much about the choreography.” Ebert's critique of Elektra is as witty as it is negativecleverly dismissing the film as one of the worst in the superhero genre.
9
Thor (2011)
Ebert Rating: 1.5 / 4 stars
Coming as it did at the beginning of the MCU film timeline, 2011 Thor it didn't have the benefit of the franchise's more refined formula. Instead, it was tasked with establishing the MCU's Asgardians, introducing a more fantastical element into a previously more human-centric franchise. This is a challenge that Ebert believes Thor did not achieve, as they considered it inferior to other entries in the superhero genre, including its MCU predecessor, Iron Man.
Ebert rated Thor 1.5 stars out of 4, and your review of the film is scathing. He lamented the extensive use of CGI and described the film as “a desolate devastation”. He explained that “the story is perhaps suitable for an animated children's film, with Thor, Odin and the others played by piglets.” Ebert didn't highlight any real positive points about the film, firmly establishing that the MCU film was not something he liked.
8
Constantine (2005)
Ebert Rating: 1.5 / 4 stars
ConstantineReleased in 2005, it is one of DC's least successful films that later gained a cult following. Starring Keanu Reeves as the eponymous exorcist, Constantine follows the supernatural DC character as he fights to gain access to heaven by exorcising demons to Hell. It's not a film that earned Roger Ebert's respect, as the critic openly and actively disliked it, as evidenced by his review.
Offering 1.5 out of 4 stars, Ebert had very little to say about the film itself. Instead of, your review simply mocks several elements of the filmfrom its visual presentation to some of its illogical plot points. There are no real positives in Ebert's review of Constantinealthough he suggests that Keanu Reeves' performance might at least be on-brand for his stern protagonist at the very least.
7
Blade: Trinity (2004)
Ebert Rating: 1.5 / 4 stars
Long before his return to the cast of Deadpool and WolverineWesley Snipes' Blade came out with a whimper in 2004 Blade: Trinity. The film ended a trilogy in decidedly underwhelming fashion, standing out as by far the worst of the three-film arc. Roger Ebert certainly considered it so, as his review of Blade: Trinity highlighted the film's many problems with a scathing indictment of many of its aspects.
Assessment Blade: Trinity 1.5 out of 4 stars, Ebert compared it to its predecessors, explaining that “Lacks the crisp narrative line and crisp comic book clarity of the previous films”, and that “it descends too easily into shapeless fight scenes that are cut into so many cuts that they lack any form or rhythm.” Ebert's assessment of the film is not at all positivemainly because he compares it unfavorably to the two films that follow.
6
The Green Hornet (2011)
Ebert rating: 1/4 stars
2011 The green hornet is far from a memorable superhero film, as it received only mixed reviews and quickly faded into obscurity upon its release. Based on the character first created in the 1930s and later featured in the TV series of the same name in the 1960s, The green hornet stars Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz and Christoph Waltz. Roger Ebert had nothing but contempt for the film, rating it just 1 star out of 4.
Ebert described The green hornet as a “half cooked mess”. He criticized Seth Rogen's co-writing credit, stating that he “[gave] himself many words, and then tirelessly hurls them at us with a modified scream.In fact, Ebert had nothing positive to say about the film, ending his review by commenting on his dislike for 3D releases of blockbusters, especially those like The green hornet.
5
Slay (2010)
Ebert rating: 1/4 stars
Although 2010 Smash It caused some controversy upon its release, was widely well received by critics and was successful at the box office, later gaining a significant number of followers. The film is a dark comedy that satirizes elements of the superhero genre, following a high school boy who joins forces with an 11-year-old vigilante to fight a gang of ruthless criminals. Despite its generally positive reception, Roger Ebert went on record as completely hating Smash.
Ebert scored the film 1 out of 4 stars and wrote at length about why he considered it “morally reprehensible”. He acknowledged that it was intended to be satire, but that its brutal depiction of violence committed by a child was too much for him. “When children in the age range of this film's home video audience film each other every day in America,” Ebert explained: “it stops being funny.”
4
Fantastic Four (2005)
Ebert rating: 1/4 stars
Years before the start of the MCU, the cast of 2005 Fantastic Four established a team of superheroes on the big screen, bringing Marvel's top heroes to life in live action. The film dealt with the origins of the titular team, pitting them against Doctor Doom after gaining powers in a cosmic storm during a space mission. Ebert found the film tedious, explaining his dislike of the detailed treatment of the characters in an overwhelmingly negative and insightful review.
Scoring just 1 out of 4 stars, Ebert began by describing Fantastic Four like “all the setup and demonstration, and naming, discussion and demonstration,”And stating that it never quite tells a convincing story. He described his heroes as being “underwhelming“due to being like this”indifferent about themselves”concluding by insisting that Fantastic Four it was so inferior to other superhero films that it didn't even belong in the same theaters.
3
The Spirit (2008)
Ebert rating: 1/4 stars
Launched in 2008, The Spirit is often listed among the worst superhero films ever made. With an overwhelmingly negative critical reception, it is perhaps not surprising that Ebert's voice was among those who disliked the film. His review heaped criticism on the film, offering The Spirit just 1 out of 4 stars and directly launching a powerful and scathing indictment of its many shortcomings.
Ebert begins by describing the film as having “there is no trace of human emotion in it”. “To call the cardboard characters,” he continues, “It's insulting a useful packaging material.He is highly critical of Frank Miller's direction, claiming the film is all style and no substance, and pointing to other adaptations of Miller's work as better examples of how his stories can work on the big screen. Ebert had no real positives to mention about the filminstead, simply lamenting the lack of any overall substance.
2
Catwoman (2004)
Ebert rating: 1/4 stars
It's no secret that 2004 Catwoman It's one of the worst superhero movies ever made. The Halle Berry-led film faced overwhelmingly negative reviews upon release, and its reputation has remained infamous ever since. Roger Ebert was an especially vocal detractor of the film, with his 1-star review explaining in detail why he considered it such a terrible entry into the superhero genre.
Ebert's critique of Catwoman began by explaining that although Halle Berry was great in the lead role, the film seems to have been made simply to showcase her rather than tell a story. “Everything else is secondary,” he wrote: “except the batch, which is tertiary.” He then compared Catwoman to Spider-Man 2which was also released in 2004, explaining in no uncertain terms that the former lacks any semblance of human storytelling or exploration of its titular character.
Ebert rating: 1/4 stars
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemenreleased in 2003 and loosely based on the comic book series of the same name by Alan Grant and Kevin O'Neill, it wasn't remembered fondly by many. Despite being a financial success, the film received generally unfavorable reviews, with most critical reviews ranging from moderately negative to downright scathing. Roger Ebert's was among the last, and he scored the film 1 star out of 4.
Ebert's review lamented the absurd nature of the film's plot, suggesting that “the pieces as if a strong wind came and took away the script and they ran down the street after him and grabbed some pages and filmed them.He poked fun at the film's numerous inconsistencies and plot holes, making numerous jokes at its expense. Considering the nature of the review, it is safe to say that The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was one of those superhero movies that Roger Ebert hated.
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