Thursday 4 April 2013

Watch: Siskel & Ebert Review Toy Story -- RIP, Roger Ebert



A113Animation is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the world's finest, best-known and most respected movie reviewer, the irreplaceable Roger Ebert. Known and celebrated as a champion of the great and a sardonic derider of the mediocre, Ebert had been reviewing movies for The Chicago Sun-Times for 46 years.

He was also well known for his reviewing partnership with Gene Siskel. From said partnership, check out Siskel & Ebert's TV review of Toy Story, from way-back-when in 1995. It speaks to how knowing both men were, that they correctly predicted that this rather groundbreaking CG flick would change everything for animation.

In a sadly ironic manner, the critic announced a "leave of presence" only two days ago, due to the re-emergence of his cancer and latent health problems. Today, The Chicago Sun-Times announced his passing, at the age of 70 - alas, cancer takes another great human being. Rest in peace, Mr. Ebert, in the knowledge that, for us here at least, you've forever changed how we watch a movie.

Our thoughts and condolences to the Ebert family, as we leave you with this apt quote from the Sun-Times:

"Roger Ebert loved movies.

Except for those he hated."

8 comments:

  1. Munir Abedrabbo4 April 2013 at 23:38

    My favorite movie critic and my #1 source for searching and evaluating films. I didn't agree with him sometimes but his analysis were always a treat to read and enriched my filmmaking experience much more. He'll be missed.


    Something of a trivia note: I just noticed that he liked all Pixar films (from Toy Story to Brave) giving them three, three and a half and four stars but never disliking any of them. That proves he really knew what he was talking about. Rest in peace Roger.

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  2. Future Animator4 April 2013 at 23:50

    Question: what kind of blog is this (i.e.; Blogger, Wordpress, etc.)?

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  3. The only critic whose opinion *everyone* respected. A brilliantly insightful, informed and intelligent man. Undoubtedly a huge loss, may he rest in peace.

    Something I always found interesting, and in something of a defence for Cars 2, was that he rated it 3 stars, the same as he gave to Toy Story 3.

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  4. Munir Abedrabbo5 April 2013 at 17:32

    Actually, he gave Cars 2 three and a half stars, higher than TS3! His review is good but I can't agree with that. Cars 2 is fun but is nowhere near TS3's brilliance.

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  5. Future Animator5 April 2013 at 20:53

    Did you have to pay for it? Sorry, I'm just working on getting my blog set up. Would you mind if I email you some questions?

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  6. Did he really? My... I can't say I quite agree with that, haha! I mean, I'll defend Cars 2 to the hilt, but that may be a tad generous...

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  7. Sorry for the delayed response - Internet connectivity woes and whatnot - yep, I've replied to your email now!

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