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."

Rise of the Guardians in US Cinemas Today - What Are the Critics Saying?

It's been quite a ride: anticipation running high, speculation that this could be the greatest DreamWorks film yet, some mixed reviews, some more positive ones, trepidation; and now US fans can find out for themselves how good DreamWorks' Rise of the Guardians - playing now in the US - actually is!

Brave is Now in Cinemas! - In the US Anyway

Pixar's latest animated feature, Brave, is now out in US cinemas (although those of us in the UK - and indeed several other places in the world - will have to wait a while yet). As such, the reviews are now rolling in, and Brave currently stands at a 72% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a much better consensus than some early reviews might have indicated:

It may not live up to the lofty standards of the Pixar brand, but Brave offers young audiences and fairy tale fans a rousing, funny fantasy adventure with a distaff twist -- and surprising depth.

Roger Ebert, who seems to be on a roll of awarding Pixar films 3 stars - after doing so with Toy Story 3 and Cars 2 - awards Brave 3 stars, echoing most of what we've heard up until now:

"Unlike such brightly original films as "Toy Story," "Finding Nemo," "WALL-E" and "Up," this one finds Pixar poaching on traditional territory of Disney, its corporate partner."

In addition, the L.A. Times' Kenneth Turan says:

"If the Walt Disney Studios logo were the only one on "Brave,"this film's impeccable visuals and valiant heroine would be enough to call it a success. But "Brave" is also a Pixar Animation Studios film, and that means it has to answer to a higher standard."

No one seems to have particular gripes with the film, just that it doesn't live up to Pixar's self-imposed standards as much as we've come to expect. The review that I find myself most nodding my head approvingly to is that of Rolling Stone's Peter Travers, awarding it 3.5/4 stars, best summed up by:

"No one seems to review a Pixar film without comparing it to other Pixar films. OK, Brave isn't The Incredibles or Toy Story. So? It's still a rousing, gorgeously animated good time."

That addresses a lot of my problems with the majority of the Cars 2 reviews; judge it on its own merits, folks. I'm hoping that Brave's Rotten Tomatoes score grows, hopefully into the 80s at least - I'm predicting around the 81% mark - as Pixar truly deserve it.


Going to see Brave this weekend, stateside readers? Already seen it? Share your thoughts below or with us on Twitter (@A113Animation)!

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As a brief aside, also be sure to check out the (finally) newly revamped, and suitably wonderful, Pixar website; chocked full of great behind-the-scenes videos and interviews!