When it comes to movie critics, there are only a few voices that hold as much weight asRoger Ebert. By being utterly honest and describing what exactly drew him to a film and why others should give it a chance, he captivated readers. And while some critics enjoyed tearing films apart, Ebert approached them with the hope of finding something valuable.
If you have read his reviews, you know that Ebert did not simply label movies as good or bad. Instead, he understood that entertainment comes in many forms. That a single flaw or two does not define a movie’s intention. Which is why he occasionally praised movies that others derided as “bad.” He did not feel obligated to agree with popular opinion or trash a movie just because itdid not perform well at the box office.
Through Roger Ebert’s movie reviews, audiences were given a chance to look at films differently, to focus less on technicalities and more on personal resonance. In this list, we take a look at 20 movies that disappointed viewers and most critics, but made Ebert curious.
20The Golden Compass (2007)
The Golden Compass
Roger’s Rating - 4/4 Stars
An adventure film based on the 1995 novel Northern Lights,The Golden Compassis set in a parallel world where all humans have animal companions called ‘daemons’ that represent their inner soul. An orphan named Lyra Belacqua always has her dæmon, Pantalaimon, with her. When her friends are kidnapped, Lyra embarks on a quest to search her friends and uncovers a sinister plan being orchestrated by the universe’s rulers, the Magisterium.
While the film’s visuals and its depiction of a mystical world are undoubtedly stunning, the movie underperformed commercially and was not particularly a hit with the critics. Many reviews called it out for deviating from the source material. However, Roger Ebert awarded it four out of four stars. He praised it as “a darker, deeper fantasy epic than theThe Chronicles of Narniaor the Potter films,” and marked how it “creates villains that are more complex and pose more intriguing questions.”Rent on Apple TV.
19Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)
Roger’s Rating - “An Essay on Our Generic Expectations”
Later praised for its satirical and metafictional elements,Beyond the Valley of the Dollsis a film co-written and directed by Russ Meyer. It follows a star-struck all-girl band and three female singers as they travel to Los Angeles and eventually find themselves indulging in a wild night of free love pleasure-seeking in the great, big city. Without them realizing it,things take a darker turnand leave the group in a troublesome and nefarious situation.
Ridiculed as trash by most,Beyond the Valley of the Dollswas intended to be a direct sequel to 1967’s Valley of the Dolls but was later thought better as a parody of the same. As for the reviews, Ebert’s cohort Gene Siskel gave the film zero out of four stars and placed it on his list of “20 worst films of all time.” Having co-written the movie with Meyer, Roger Ebert thought of the movie as “an essay on our generic expectations.”Rent on Apple TV.
18Garfield: The Movie (2004)
Garfield: The Movie
Roger’s Rating - 3/4 Stars
Featuring a character literally everyone is familiar with (but not especially fond of),Garfield: The Moviesees the lazy house cat in his typical lasagna-loving habitat. When his owner, Jon, buys another pet, this time a dog named Odie, Garfield takes an instant dislike to him. But then Odie is abducted and Garfield’s friends are disappointed in him, so he takes it upon himself to search for and rescue Odie.
While a commercial hit, the Peter Hewitt-directed film was not accepted by critics as a fun adventure. Instead, the adaptation drew derision for its average animation and uninspired humor compared to the comic strips. Roger Ebert seemed to enjoy it, though, because he stated that it “captures the elusive charm of the most egotistical character on the funny pages, and drops him into a story that allows him to bask in his character flaws.“Stream on Disney+.
Related:12 Best Cat Movies of All Time
17Home Alone 3 (1997)
When it comes to Christmas classics/holiday flicks, there is only so many times you can reinvent the same premise. The originalHome Alonestarring Macaulay Culkin is a beloved title to this day, and so is the sequel,Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. ButHome Alone 3is rather bland and fails to achieve the same cult status. It sees 8-year-old Alex Pruitt trying to protect his house from two bumbling thieves, who are after a computer chip hidden in his remote control car.
Nowhere near as hilarious and heartwarming as the first two films,Home Alone 3was seen by critics as a film that was “lacking all the hallmarks that made the original a classic.” Directed by Raja Gosnell and starring Alex D. Linz, the movie turned out to make Ebert laugh on a silly day. The film critic noted in his review that it was a “funnier and gentler” film as well as one that “provides splendid wish fulfillment and escapism for kids in, say, the lower grades.“Stream on Disney+.
16Congo (1995)
In trying to bea delightful mix of science fiction and adventure,Congofollows a team of scientists who enter an African jungle in search of rare blue diamonds. But the jungle’s perils and sinister forces soon attack them, and they lose communication with those on the outside. Another group flies out to the jungle to encounter the mysterious dangers and killer apes, but this one has a hyper-intelligent gorilla named Amy to assist them.
With such an ambitious but convoluted plot, over-the-top special effects, poor character development, and little intrigue,Congowas bound to fail with the audiences. Roger Ebert, however, lauded the movie in his three out of four stars review as “entertaining and funny.” He also honestly mentioned that “a very particular kind of filmgoer is likely to relate to this movie: one raised on Saturday matinées, with a good sense of the absurd and an appreciation for movie clichés.”Stream on DirecTV.
15Junior (1994)
Roger’s Rating - 3.5/4 Stars
InJunior, Arnold Schwarzenegger plays the role of an eccentric scientist named Dr. Alex Hesse. Currently working on a fertility research process, he invents a drug that would reduce the chances of miscarriage. But when they cannot find a subject to test the drug on, Hesse uses it on himself and discovers the joys and perils of the unexpected results.
With director Ivan Reitman at the helm and legendary actors like Danny DeVito and Emma Thompson accompanying Schwarzenegger, one would think that this ridiculous premise would end up striking gold. ButJuniorwas surprisingly panned as a missed opportunity. Regardless, Ebert saw the movie as one that reflects on fatherhood and gender roles. Quoting a snippet from Ebert’s review:
‘It’s goofy and ridiculous and preposterous, and yet it makes you feel good, and there is something oddly heartwarming about the sight of this macho guy melting with feelings of protectiveness and maternal concern.’
Stream on DirecTV.
14Ghosts of Mars (2001)
Ghosts of Mars
Written, directed and scored by John Carpenter,Ghosts of Marsis an extravagant film that imbues genres like action and horror into a space Western. Set in the 22nd century in a Martian colony beset by dust storms and unrest, the movie centers around Officer Melanie and Sergeant Jericho as they transport convicts. Soon, they realize that the residents are possessed by ghosts of the planet’s original inhabitants, and with the prisoners, they fight back before the city succumbs.
The movie was Carpenter at rock bottom. It had bad acting, a confusing premise filled with flashbacks, dissatisfying action, and a dreary atmosphere. Roger Ebert disagreed with all of this in his review. He praised the director’s vision and ambition, which is surprising because he hatedResident Evil. He said the film “delivers on its chosen level and I enjoyed it,” and if the audiences are willing to embrace the absurd, theygive it a go.Rent on Apple TV.
13Hitman (2007)
Hitmanis just another action-thriller flick adapted from a video game series. Its plot goes something like this: Agent 17 is a hitman for hire and the most lethal asset trained by the Organization. Genetically engineered, he’s known for carrying out every assignment with precision. But when he accidentally kills someone who looks like his target, 47 ends up awakening a long-buried secret, shakes up a conspiracy, and becomes the world’s most wanted person.
Hitmanstars Timothy Olyphant as Agent 47, and while the star is known for his brooding personality and iconic Westerns, the film did not succeed in bringing justice to his talents. Many dismissed the movie as a brainless adaptation and one with an incoherent plot. However, Ebert gave a positive review that reads, “Hitmanstands right on the threshold between video games and art,” with the praise extending towards the intriguing action and calculating antihero.Stream on Starz.
Related:10 Greatest Movies of All Time According to Roger Ebert
12Land of the Lost (2009)
Land of the Lost
Taking the same characters from the 1974Sid and Marty Kroffttelevision series and placing them in a whole new situation,Land of the Lostarrived as a promising parody comedy. It centers around Dr. Rick Marshall, who gets sucked into a portal and sent on a strange land inhabited by dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. With the help of his research assistant, Roch must find a way home by understanding the bizarre laws of this place.
Starring Will Ferrell, Danny McBride, Anna Friel and Jorma Taccone,Land of the Lostwas supposed to be a good-humored adventure. One can say that its box office numbers were down because of opening on the same weekend as The Hangover, but there’s little to defend the tepid humor and poort effects. Roger Ebert, unlike others, expressed his “moderate admiration” for the movie by giving it three out of four stars.Stream on Tubi TV.
11Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
After the universal success of the original Star Wars trilogy, director George Lucas arrived with thisfirst film as a series of prequels.Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menacetransports you to the planet Naboo, where Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi discover a young boy who has a greater destiny. As they strive to free the planet’s people from the evil Sith, they learn hidden secrets about the fate of the galaxy.
Phantom Menacewas the first newStar Warsfilm in 16 years, so obviously, the film had a lot on its shoulders. But surprisingly, fans and critics were divided when the result finally arrived and reviews condemned its lack of emotion and poor acting. Ebert was the first among many to see the film as it is – “an astonishing achievement in imaginative filmmaking.” He even praised the world-building, familiar elements, and John Williams’ score.Stream on Disney+.
