Hero at Large (1980) movie review - Sneak Previews with Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel

This is the original review of Hero at Large by Siskel & Ebert on "Sneak Previews" in 1980. All of the segments pertaining to the movie have been included.

[@caseylytle]

I would have never mentioned this as a great movie, but I liked it. It's one of my guilty pleasures. Also surprised more people don't mention that it's really a modern remake of Meet John Doe.

[@tomservo5007]

Hollywood didn't reboot this superhero movie? I'll be damned

[@justinbergmans36]

John ritter, especially back in the late 70s and early 80s, had a certain quality that radiated decency, while still being able to pull off characters, like Jack Tripper. I remember a great Threes Company episode, where his character and Larry pulled a cruel prank on his new roommate, to get her to leave. It went too far, and there’s a moment where Ritter conveys such heartfelt shock and regret. John Ritter was always known for his amazing physical comedy. But, there was always such humanity beneath the pratfalls.

[@markdaniels7174]

I LOVE this movie. A guilty pleasure. I liked it at 12, AND at 51. Thumbs up, Gene! (But you basically covered the entire plot in your description, dude.)

[@SnowDaulphin]

Great fun. Miss Ritter very much. Hope to see a remake one day.

[@kalreeve]

Dang it, Roger! I love you, but you are so wrong on this one. Thank you, Gene, for getting this review so right. 'Hero at Large' is a treasure. God rest both your souls and yours as well, Mr. Ritter, aka Steve Nichols, aka S. Nichols, aka Captain Avenger.

[@lowbridge7070]

At the time Hero At Large came out in the theaters in 1980, I was 11 years old and being raised in an abusive, dysfunctional household. As a result, I turned towards watching LOTS of TV and went to the movies as a way of providing myself with escape and comfort from my misery. Back then I was going to the movies with my then best friend. We were a couple of fanatics about the movies. We talked, read, ate, drank, and slept the movies. And we went to the movies together once a week, every week for a lot of years from the 1970s-1980s. We saw literally hundreds upon hundreds of movies together over the years. We tried to see every new movie that came out regardless of plot, genre (he loved horror films, I preferred comedy), critics reviews, who was starring in it, etc. So there was no particular reason we went to see Hero At Large. It just happened to be a new movie that was just released. I don't recall my friends reaction to this movie, but I liked it alot. It made me feel really good. Going to the movies with my best friend in the 1970s-1980s is among my most fondest, happiest memories of my entire life.

[@josephlawson9950]

I miss John Ritter

[@STEVEHEROLD]

me too

[@Trilaan]

I just watched the movie because Hero Movie Podcast is covering it today. Pretty good movie! Not as amazing as Gene thinks and not as simple-minded as Roger thinks but definitely an entertaining movie with a hopeful message.

[@SnowDaulphin]

Anne Archer....Dayuumm.

[@maskedmarvyl4774]

So much for Roger Ebert's credo that he judges a movie based on what it is trying to do, and not on whether he personally liked it or not.

[@bennylevine387]

I liked it as a little kid, but it never occurred to me to see it again.

[@captainharris8980]

An okay movie, that's well meaning. Harmless fun and a good love story.

[@Bacalao2929]

It’s the unofficial sequel To Taxi Driver

[@SnowDaulphin]

You can sense the tension between these two on this one.

[@chrisfinch8637]

That's what they're known for. They were like the movie critic versions of Statler and Waldorf.

[@jedijones]

Ironically, Anne Archer had auditioned to play Lois Lane in the Superman film released 2 years earlier.

[@Bacalao2929]

I never heard Gene start naming people this is great,

[@vintagetvandexciting]

no sounds effects in the intro

[@sha11235]

John Ritter as Superman.

[@keithforsay4204]

The Plot In Spiderman-2! Was Similar To The Plot In Hero At Large! Somewhat.

[@StevenFallonOfficial]

I think "Hero at Large" is somewhere in between Roger's and Gene's takes. Sometimes it's a lot of fun, but other times it's dull and drags, and sometimes yes a bit simple-minded. IMO, the story is fantastic, but the execution could have been better. A pretty good film, no regrets watching it, just not a great film. I remember this was on cable a real lot. John Ritter was perfect for the role.

[@alcabane3125]

im watching John Ritter movie, since i finished threes company, and hes amazing in that in physical comedy. and its a great show first saw in on ME tv big fan, and then channel 5.2 in the states, and i was hooked, and had to watch all the show, i like fraternity/ actor john ritter, so i wanted to see his movies, and so i watched his 70s films before, so this movie hero at large captain avenger 1980, i thought it was great, but physically i think john ritter cant fight, i dont buy he can fight people, i mean physcially he cant, physical humor yes, right there with laurel and hardy, leslie nelson, three stooges, but fighting not that great, similar to roger moore fight scenes in the bond films or pierce at times, i guess, even though, he sells packing a punch, i agree with siskel and ebert, i understand both views and where they are coming, from at times i can see people reading a script also at times, i think siskel is looking at the future, and i guess it can be like, that but i enjoyed myself and im 29, i liked the drama and the theme of the movie, but it ends so abruptly i thought there would be more, but i guess maybe it just to make a point or a lesson, i like the chase scene, and him getting shot, and realizing how deadly super heros can be. And its funny since its parodying i think captain america, or marvel super heros, but thats a big thing in the future, similar last american hero, which i have to finish that show, since it stopped abruptly like this movie, i like the themes at times, and the threes company humor in the rooms was great, but i dont like the abruption ending, i wish, maybe it could end in a more satisfying way, but its enjoyable none the less, and could be remade in the influx of comics book movies, that we have now, or do a spy movie in the vain of this, that would be fun, like a guy wanting to be a super secret agent, only to know, its not what you see in the movies. i would give it 4/5 stars i enjoyed it, but could have been better, review will be on my letterboxd CinemaEscape.

[@peterkrug4124]

"...a pet racoon becoming president of the United States..." Jesus Christ, was that the plot of an actual film?! That sounds like if anything that would just be something you'd see as a parody, like on THE SIMPSONS

[@sha11235]

Who was that 27 year old woman-his future wife Marlene?

[@dmacmillion]

I saw this when I was 12 and the only thing I remember was being bored.

[@Elainerulesutube]

This movie was so bad it didn't get a cinema release in some countries outside the United States but it was shown as a movie on airplanes.

[@andrewpowell1734]

I’ve never heard of this movie.

[@shizuokaBLUES]

You can watch it on KZbin in full. It’s okay , but if you have older kids it’s a nice enough family flick.

[@kalreeve]

It's an underappreciated classic. Definitely watch it.

[@mikesilva3868]

😊🕺