I like Ebert, but he is way off on this one. I have noticed that in recent years, his tolerance for movies with a lot of violence and death has gone down -- perhaps it's an unwelcome reminder of his own looming mortality. It's unfortunate, because this is a superlative martial arts film, and Ebert has shown a fondness for these types of movies in the past.

And shuac, I think comparing this film -- which has some of the most intricately choreographed, beautifully violent and skillfully shot/edited action that we've seen in years -- to "Ass" is, to put it bluntly, idiotic. It's also condescendingly dismissive of 50+ years of martial arts action cinema, in which this film is easily a milestone -- a culmination of the types of films made by stars like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Donnie Yen. I can agree with Ebert that the characters are (intentionally) thin in this movie, but to imply that there is no artistry or craft at work here is, again, idiotic.

I am going to *promote this, because it is awesome.

I liked Ebert's take on it:

"'The Raid: Redemption' is essentially a visualized video game that spares the audience the inconvenience of playing it."

"There's obviously an audience for the film, probably a large one. They are content, even eager, to sit in a theater and watch one action figure after another pound and blast one another to death. Have you noticed how cats and dogs will look at a TV screen on which there are things jumping around? It is to that level of the brain's reptilian complex that the film appeals."

"So what am I saying? "The Raid: Redemption" failed as a generic success because it simplified its plot too much? Not really. It is a generic success. And yet my heart sank and I asked myself: Is this all they want? Are audiences satisfied with ceaseless violence, just so long as they can praise it for being "well choreographed?" Is there no appreciation for human dimension, meaning, and morality?"

No, thank you for the great link! I am such a sap, I actually teared up at the end.

In reply to this comment by Hybrid:
Thanks for the quality!
In reply to this comment by GeeSussFreeK:
holy crap, this is high *quality. Eat your heart out Ebert, video games aren't art my ass. (then again, this wasn't really a game, more like a movie, DAMN YOU EBERT!)

Thanks for the quality!
In reply to this comment by GeeSussFreeK:
holy crap, this is high *quality. Eat your heart out Ebert, video games aren't art my ass. (then again, this wasn't really a game, more like a movie, DAMN YOU EBERT!)

holy crap, this is high *quality. Eat your heart out Ebert, video games aren't art my ass. (then again, this wasn't really a game, more like a movie, DAMN YOU EBERT!)

>> ^garmachi:

Holy mackerel, I'm going to sift--er... watch every single one of these!


Share them too if any good ones.

*dead

"'Siskel & Ebert - The...'
This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been terminated due to multiple third-party notifications of copyright infringement from claimants including:

* Flower Films
* Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
* Latham Entertainment..."

>> ^alcom:

86% on Rotten Tomatoes.


Puss in Boots has 82% on rotten tomatoes. That number doesn't necessarily mean a film is quality, just that the formula used to create it was effective.

>> ^Sagemind:

Ebert is synonymous to idiot.
I have never honored his opinions - the words Pompous & Ass comes to mind


Roger is awesome and he can take it on the chin. Especially now.

Hey Ebert! What kinda beer do ya like?

>> ^Deano:

Ebert sounds like he's missing his sense of humour.


Yeah he's fine with Bruckheimer's relentless jingoistic slaughter but bullying a 15 year old.. that's going too far.

Ebert is synonymous to idiot.
I have never honored his opinions - the words Pompous & Ass comes to mind

Ebert is a candy colored clown..

Roger Ebert, meet your new partner!

You have been awarded 1 Power Point for fixing the embed code for Dead Pool video Siskel & Ebert Review 'Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer'. Thank you for helping maintain VideoSift's reliability.