Roger Ebert, a renowned film critic known for his discerning eye and often controversial opinions, made no exception when it came to the action genre. Ebert’s critique of action films was anchored in a demand for dynamic pacing, engaging narratives, and well-developed characters. He praised action movies that effectively used adrenaline-pumping sequences to enhance compelling stories, such as Indiana Jones, Rocky, Bullitt, and Lethal Weapon. Conversely, he condemned films that faltered in originality, character development, and performance. Here’s a rundown of some of the worst action films according to Ebert’s reviews.
10. Fantastic Four (2005)
Directed by Tim Story, this superhero film, based on Marvel characters, follows four astronauts who gain superpowers after exposure to cosmic radiation. Ebert criticized the film for its lackluster character engagement and uninspired narrative. He found the characters’ reaction to their powers so disinterested that it detracted from the film’s entertainment value, and deemed it unworthy of sharing screen space with superior superhero movies like Batman Begins and Spider-Man 2.
9. Wild Wild West (1999)
In Barry Sonnenfeld’s Western action film, Will Smith and Kevin Kline star as secret agents battling a Confederate scientist in a steampunk-infused Old West. Ebert described the movie as a “comedy dead zone,” criticizing its lack of chemistry and excessive, ineffective special effects. He found the film’s disregard for realism and coherence made it an almost absurd experience.
8. Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)
This historical epic, directed by Richard Fleischer, Kinji Fukasaku, and Toshio Masuda, aimed to dramatize the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack. Ebert found it lacking substance despite its grand scale, comparing its uninspiring warfare scenes unfavorably to those of John Wayne films. The film’s failure to deliver engaging characters or meaningful insights led Ebert to label it a disappointing cinematic endeavor.
7. Death Rides a Horse (1967)
Directed by Giulio Petroni, this spaghetti Western features John Phillip Law as a gunfighter seeking revenge. Ebert gave it a one-star rating, highlighting its formulaic plot and poor production values. Despite its acclaim among some fans of the genre, Ebert’s review underscored a lack of depth and originality.
6. Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992)
In this action-comedy directed by Roger Spottiswoode, Sylvester Stallone plays a police sergeant whose mother, played by Estelle Getty, disrupts his professional and personal life. Ebert’s review criticized the film for its lack of humor and creativity, considering it a “no-brainer” that wasted both Stallone’s and Getty’s talents.
5. Revolver (2005)
Guy Ritchie’s Revolver stars Jason Statham as a gambler seeking revenge while grappling with convoluted plot twists and excessive stylistic flourishes. Ebert was highly critical of the film’s self-indulgent narrative and confusing structure, finding it more frustrating than thrilling.
4. Death Race (2008)
Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, this dystopian action film stars Jason Statham as a convict forced to participate in a deadly car race. Ebert criticized the film for its sensory overload and lack of quality, noting that it failed to meet even minimal standards of cinematic value.
3. The Cannonball Run (1981)
This star-studded road race film, directed by Hal Needham, was deemed by Ebert as a “minimal amount of screenplay” surrounded by an overblown cast. He criticized it for lacking plot and suspense, viewing it as an expensive waste of time.
2. Speed Zone (1989)
Jim Drake’s Speed Zone features John Candy in a film Ebert deemed a “rip-off” of previous car chase comedies. With its heavy reliance on stunts over story, Ebert considered it a prime example of how such films can fail spectacularly.
1. The Exterminator (1980)
James Glickenhaus’s vigilante film follows Robert Ginty as a man seeking revenge in a brutally violent fashion. Ebert’s zero-star review condemned it for its disturbing use of violence and lack of moral depth, criticizing it as a “sick example” of the genre.
Ebert’s assessments offer a sobering reminder that not all action films succeed in blending excitement with meaningful storytelling. His critiques underscore the importance of substance over spectacle in crafting memorable cinema.
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