Roger Ebert Hated These 10 Superhero Movies—Did Your Favorite Make the List?

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As a passionate cinephile, I’ve always been intrigued by the notion that the superhero genre is synonymous with modern cinema. However, the grandiose narrative style it employs isn’t exactly a new phenomenon; it’s been weaving its magic for decades, even before the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy graced our screens. In fact, the first full-length superhero film can be traced as far back as 1920, marking the beginning of a genre that has since unfolded into countless epic adventures on both the big screen and the small one.

The superhero genre, whether derived from comic book adaptations or original ideas, consistently generates massive box office earnings for Hollywood studios by producing billion-dollar blockbusters. In today’s era of famous critics on YouTube, reaction videos, and heated social media discussions, few voices have been as impactful – or divisive – as the late, esteemed film critic, Roger Ebert. Known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning work, he never hesitated to share his opinions, even if it meant going against popular sentiment.

This list counts down 10 superhero movies that Roger Ebert hated.

10
‘Supergirl’ (1984)

In the series called “Supergirl“, Kara Zor-El, who is Superman’s cousin, sets off on a space voyage to reach Earth. This journey is crucial because she needs to retrieve the Omegahedron, a potent artifact that has been seized by Selena, an ambitious sorceress with power aspirations. Unlike her Kryptonian kin, Supergirl manages both her teenage years and high school life while simultaneously dealing with various perils created by Selena.

Flat Storytelling and Bad Action

Roger Ebert found the movie underwhelming, awarding it only two stars. He pointed out that the drastic change in tone compared to the other three Superman movies, along with its ordinary and comical aspects, fell short of recapturing the enchantment of the series. To quote him directly:

When it tries to be comical, it misses the mark significantly. In ‘Superman’ and ‘Supergirl’ films, we don’t expect or desire mockery of characters – a trend that seems to be emerging among writers, directors, and some actors. Instead, we visit these movies to rekindle the childlike wonder associated with superheroes.

9
‘Blade: Trinity’ (2004)

In the third chapter of the Blade series, the titular vampire slayer confronts his most formidable adversary yet: the return of Dracula. Known for his solitary stance in his war against bloodthirsty vamps, Blade finds himself pitted not only against the Vampire Nation but also the FBI, who falsely accuse him of mass murder. With no other option, he joins forces with the Nightstalkers, a band of young vampire hunters, led by Abigail and Hannibal King.

Messiest of the Trilogy

In his critique of “Blade: Trinity,” Roger Ebert expressed his regret that a series which had started with promise had turned into a less engaging production. He found the movie’s complicated plot, unimaginative action scenes, and overall absence of creativity or freshness to be quite disheartening. Earning only 1.5 out of 4 stars from him, he pointed out that it fell short compared to its predecessors in terms of a clear storyline and vivid comic-book style, instead becoming a jumbled mess of fight scenes, edited so heavily that they lost any coherent form or rhythm.

8
‘Elektra’ (2005)

In 2003’s “Daredevil,” Elektra Natchios seemed to perish, but later was resurrected by the blind martial arts master, Stick. He taught her the art of Kimagure, making her a formidable assassin. Assuming a contract to eliminate a man and his daughter, she found out that they were being pursued by The Hand, an undercover group of assassins with whom Elektra has previous conflicts.

A Forgettable Franchise Spinoff

Jennifer Garner’s efforts to safeguard innocence in the movie ‘Elektra’ miss their mark because of its confusing structure and weak ties to ‘Daredevil’. Instead, it emerges as a standalone, insufficiently developed narrative. The action scenes are not sharp and the acting lacks passion. Roger Ebert was particularly critical in his assessment and even joked about many of the film’s absurd aspects, such as villains who transform into clouds of yellow powder upon defeat.

7
‘Fantastic Four’ (2005)

The storyline of the renowned superhero team, The Fantastic Four, commences with a celestial tempest causing changes in the genetic makeup of four space travelers, thereby bestowing them with extraordinary powers. Richard Reed evolves into the elastic Mr. Fantastic, Susan Storm acquires invisibility, Johnny Storm morphs into the flaming Human Torch, and Benjamin Grimm undergoes a transformation into the stony Thing. United, they confront Victor Von Doom, who metamorphoses into the antagonist Doctor Doom.

A Mediocre Adaptation

In the opinion of Roger Ebert, Fantastic Four stands out as one of the poorest action films and superhero movies ever made. Rather than creating a gripping action narrative, the film heavily emphasizes the team’s personal struggles. Ebert awarded it only one star and pointed out the poor character interactions and unimpressive storyline. He also remarked that the movie seemed more focused on introducing and explaining the characters, rather than addressing the complexities of the Fantastic Four.

6
‘The Spirit’ (2008)

Under the guidance of Frank Miller, the movie titled The Spirit focuses on Denny Colt, a former police officer turned masked avenger, who tirelessly patrols the streets of Central City, clashing with a vibrant assortment of miscreants and temptresses in pursuit of justice. However, when his past love interest, Sand Saref, reappears in town with her own objectives, his mission to capture his arch-nemesis, the deranged Octopus, undergoes a dramatic shift.

An Infamous Misfire

This gritty, stylistically designed version of Will Eisner’s original comic strip might be brimming with intense, high-contrast visuals. However, it seems to quickly lose its footing by becoming a confusing jumble of unrelated scenes, exaggerated dialogue, and odd action sequences. In his scathing one-star review, Roger Ebert labeled the characters as “flat” or “cardboard.” While films like Miller’s “Sin City” and “300” relied heavily on their graphic elements, this production is criticized for being “all style—style without depth, style spinning aimlessly in a meaningless void.

5
‘Kick-Ass’ (2010)

Kick-Ass” is one of the most cherished superhero films ever made, yet it received harsh criticism from Roger Ebert. The story revolves around Dave Lizewski, a typical teenager lacking any supernatural abilities, training, or background, who chooses to emulate a real-life superhero. However, he quickly gets in over his head when he encounters a merciless crime lord and the lethal pairing of Big Daddy and Hit-Girl.

A Disturbing Celebration of Violence

In contrast to the film’s popular fanbase and consistent acclaim for its unconventional approach to the genre, Ebert criticized its excessive portrayal of violence and profanity, specifically the characterization of Chloë Grace Moretz as Hit-Girl, a child assassin who uses offensive language. Although viewers admired the film’s edgy humor and fast-paced action, he found it disturbing and regrettable in contemporary cinema.

In Ebert’s words, when children within the demographic who typically watch this film are regularly engaging in gun violence daily in America, such behavior ceases to be humorous.

4
‘Batman & Robin’ (1997)

In the movie titled Batman & Robin, George Clooney portrays Batman while Chris O’Donnell takes on the role of his partner, all set in a chilly battle against Gotham City. The city is under threat this time by Mr. Freeze, a ruthless ice villain, and the captivating Poison Ivy. Unfortunately, both Batman and Robin get ensnared in Ivy’s schemes. Meanwhile, Alfred’s niece Barbara makes an appearance as the new vigilante, Batgirl.

Leaves the Batman Franchise on Thin Ice

In Joel Schumacher’s movie, there’s a flurry of activity as the heroes work tirelessly to prevent Freeze from transforming Gotham into an icy wasteland. Arnold Schwarzenegger is dishing out a barrage of ice-themed jokes, while the overall acting feels over-the-top, with only the neon-lit setting being commendable. Critics like Ebert were not shy in their criticism, as they awarded the film merely two out of five stars, stating that while it’s visually appealing, it lacks genuine depth and authenticity at its core.

3
‘Catwoman’ (2004)

Halle Berry’s character, Patience Phillips, is a shy graphic designer who discovers a deceitful scheme regarding a beauty product in a corporation. This revelation makes her an outsider, ultimately leading to her being killed for possessing the truth. However, a miraculous event occurs: Phillips comes back to life, thanks to an ancient Egyptian cat, which bestows her with extraordinary abilities such as heightened senses and nimbleness. Using these newfound powers, she transforms into Catwoman and pursues vengeance against those responsible for her demise.

Widely Panned Superhero Movie

The film adaptation of “Catwoman” is frequently criticized as one of the poorest superhero movies in history. It falls short in capturing the charm of the DC Comics character and offers little character development, overuses special effects, and fails to provide a fulfilling ending. In his scathing review, Ebert awarded it just one star.

The film ‘Catwoman’ primarily focuses on Halle Berry’s physical attributes such as her beauty, allure, physique, striking eyes, and captivating lips, along with the design of her costume. These aspects are well executed. The remaining elements, while present, seem less significant compared to these, with the storyline playing a relatively minor role.

2
‘The Green Hornet’ (2011)

In the 1930s, George W. Trendle and Fran Striker introduced the character, but despite a TV show appearance during the 1960s, he’s generally not remembered as a superhero. One might wonder then, why would the 2011 movie be any more successful? The film titled The Green Hornet centers around Britt Reid, a pampered heir to a media empire who is forced to take on the role of publisher. With the aid of his companion Kato, Reid transforms into an alter ego and combats crime in the city.

Does Not Leave a Lasting Impact

In his critique of the movie “The Green Hornet”, Ebert referred to it as a nearly intolerable showcase of a film lacking substance. The absence of compelling storytelling and excessive use of CGI action scenes made for a disappointing viewing experience. Ebert further criticized Seth Rogen’s acting as overwhelming. Notably directed by Michel Gondry, famous for “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”, the movie had decent box office performance but eventually became forgotten.

1
‘Thor’ (2011)

Exiled from the divine realm of Asgard due to his lack of knowledge, Thor ends up on Earth, losing his powers and compelled to face his flaws. In this alien environment of New Mexico, Thor undergoes a humbling experience while learning to adapt. Meanwhile, he has to deal with the cunning tricks of his brother Loki and the impending danger posed by the Frost Giants.

Lacks Depth and Emotional Engagement

Under the guidance of Kenneth Branagh, the film Thor earned 1.5 stars out of 4 from Roger Ebert. This movie debuted at a time when the Marvel Cinematic Universe was finding its stride. While Chris Hemsworth’s charm and Tom Hiddleston’s portrayal of Loki were highly commended, for Ebert, Thor lacked intrigue as he saw him as nothing more than his hammer-wielding self.

This narrative could potentially suit a kids’ animated movie, featuring piglets portraying characters like Thor, Odin, and others. However, it lacks excitement or intrigue, and the visual effects seem more focused on creating spectacle rather than depicting a specific setting or era.

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2025-05-10 04:28