Siskel&Ebert (1991): The Last Boy Scout, Star Trek VI, Convicts, Hook & The Double Life of Veronique

[@johnmoeller8654]

The chemistry of these two is undeniable. They both riff beautifully off each other and they make it fun to enjoy movies on an intellectual level. Miss both of these wonderful gents.

[@reneedennis2011]

I agree.

[@flaccidusminimus2170]

The one thing Hook really needed was music? John Williams's score is plastered pretty much non-stop throughout the picture, and it's one of the most complex and sophisticated compositions of his career.

[@nikosvault]

Gene was WAY into Broadway and musical theatre. So for him music = songs.

[@halfbreedjew2377]

Yeah, maybe he just means "songs," but that was an odd comment. I don't love the movie, but it's arguably one of Williams' best scores and one he still conducts frequently. I just saw him conduct a bunch of his music and they played the Flight to Neverland.

[@flaccidusminimus2170]

@@nikosvault It actually has a song though! Not one that they liked, but it's there. These two were notorious tin ears and not particularly curious about music. Gene went to Barbara Streisand concerts fer chrissakes!

[@sandal_thong8631]

I think the script had more music, but S.S. took it out.

[@patrickshields5251]

@@nikosvaultI’ve talked to Flaccidus Minimus about a year ago. While I admire his methodology of S&E reviews and his preference for indies and foreign films over mainstream films and his knowledge of history in general, his commentary on cinema has a lot of problems. For one thing, Flaccidus just can’t seem to get over his bias of the 80s, half of which I disagree with, so it’s obvious which problems arose from that. For another, sometimes it seems like he deliberately makes disingenuous arguments on certain films so that it would seem like he was right. He only seems to cherry pick aspects of any movie that agrees with his point of view. And what’s more, as evidenced by his comments right here, he acts like his point of view is the only right one to follow, showing no respect for people who choose to believe differently than he does.

[@Jbaxter85]

Last boy scout is well-made with good stunts, action skills & technique, on-screen chemistry between the two was positive & it's mixture of lethal weapon & 48 hrs. 👍👍🌟🌟🌟

[@errolbourgeois8230]

It's Lethal Weapon with different people. Another thing ,I saw this movie when I was 25, I'm no prude , but the bad language affected me in a bad way.

[@ryangettig274]

Very Shane Black:)

[@jimjones4838]

these two liberals have a hard time with the violence and bad language? wtf lol last boy scout is funny and violently good

[@gonova8412]

Thanks Roger

[@kdohertygizbur]

@@jimjones4838 you haven't seen many of their reviews through the decades I would imagine

[@darwinblinks]

I was an extra in the crowd at the Coliseum for the Boy Scout scene where he shoots the players. Paul Rodriguez kept us "warmed up" with a stand up routine. I only remember one joke: "This (South Central) is a good neighborhood. If you're a gun."

[@jaredbond7908]

10:10 HOOK review ... once again, Siskel and Ebert don't seem to understand kids. I thought the premise was fun and easy to understand. Basically, kids in the 90s just loved Robin Williams, and wanted to see him doing anything. And Hook was indeed a very menacing villian. All of it felt very real and intimidating, which is perfect for getting kids' attention. I remember that my parents enjoyed it too. The only thing I can agree on is that the pirate's harbor did indeed feel like a set. Had a weird tone to it - like a "drought", haha.

[@jamesrogers2382]

I was a kid and saw this at the theater. Even the 11 year old me thought it sucked.

[@jaredbond7908]

@@jamesrogers2382 haha, well.... I think you were ahead of your time, then. because, it does suck pretty bad 😄😄😄 not one of Spielberg's best, haha. just some kind of "weird" experiment.

[@ethanzobelle6141]

@@jamesrogers2382 it did not

[@jamesrogers2382]

@@ethanzobelle6141 ok, sure, it did not. It was great. You’re right.

[@iluvmylovebirdandmybudgiet7729]

boring...and the "Tinkerbell" effect was awful....

[@globalchaos1984]

Can't believe they didn't like Hook what the fuck I love that movie!

[@sandal_thong8631]

I think the critics walked in expecting a musical and were disappointed. Spielberg had hired John Williams to make it happen, but changed his mind at some point.

[@mrbee4life182]

​@@sandal_thong8631 Im glad it wasn't a musical as for Siskel and Ebert i think they got a buzz at slagging good films off

[@mrbee4life182]

Yeah and still a great movie let's hope people didn't believe these two fools

[@acrovader]

I saw it at a premiere, for free, and pretty much hated it.

[@reneedennis2011]

The Double Life of Veronique is a good movie 🎥.

[@alexr4208]

Last Boy Scout: A truely violent, funny movie. I remember the criticism that film got. Saw it on cable. Star Trek VI: I've seen every Trek movie and this is one of my very favorites. A movie about the actual end of the cold war, both of which had happy endings. Great stuff. I saw it in a theater. Yay! Convicts: Didn't see it. Hook: Somehow, some time ago, I decided I didn't care for a story about being a boy on an island with no girls on it. The Double Life of Veronique: Man, that girl is gorgeous. :)

[@kevint1719]

I always loved The Last Boy Scout. It's meant to be cynical. Shane Black is a big Raymond Chandler fan and the hero is a world weary private eye, a 90s version of Philip Marlowe who swears more. As for the dialogue, Shane Black made much the same poetic use of swearing that Quentin Tarantino did. Why did Tarantino get praised to the rafters by critics who were offended by Shane Black? What's most amazing about the film is it was apparently a complete mess when it was finished and it was put together in the editing room by Stuart Baird, who was famous for "saving" a lot of films and went on to direct Executive Decision and Star Trek Nemesis.

[@sandal_thong8631]

It was alright. Audience score was 68 on RT, but critics' score was much worse.

[@PoohbearPlus]

Boy, Gene hit the nail on the head when it came to Star Trek. The next film WAS with The Next Generation!

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Given the conclusion of VI, it was obvious that the next film was going to feature the TNG cast. Unfortunately, it was a half assed effort.

[@bigjohn08865]

@@ricardocantoral7672 It was better than Star Trek 5

[@Superphilipp]

@@bigjohn08865 A colonoscopy is better than Star Trek 5

[@citygirl5705]

Ebert said Star Trek 1, 3, and 5 were bad? Well then why did he give a thumbs up to 1 and 3???

[@bigjohn08865]

Part 3 is ok, a little mediocre but Part 5 is just awful. Resurrecting Spock ruins the great ending of Part 2

[@ricardocantoral7672]

@@bigjohn08865 Star Trek 3's first act is weak but when the crew finally takes off for Genesis, that's when it gets good. I honestly think it's better than The Undiscovered Country.

[@sandal_thong8631]

He must have seen some of those on a good day, or with a good audience. Who knows?

[@sleuthentertainment5872]

The Last Boy Scout has some grotesque magic touch. 90s new action movies and 80s neo-noir, is gritty but absurd at the same time. Is a crazy little masterpiece of the genre with the craziest Bruce Willis you could ever imagined

[@joyunicycle]

Hook is a good movie. True it could’ve improved in so many ways and admittedly Neverland does look like stage sets, but the heart of the movie was there which was Peter Pan had grown up and forgotten who he was. Also John Williams’ music in here was underrated.

[@derrikwildstar9694]

I saw The Last Boyscout at the dollar theater and I was the only one in the theater!! It was weird!

[@sandal_thong8631]

Matinees are like that. They had a $2.50 theater near me for awhile (does not quite have the ring to it). Anyway, I think it found an audience on cable and/or home video. I don't think there's a place where you want to tune out or take a break.

[@georgejohnston5851]

Ebert nails Spielberg and Hook 13:00

[@monotech20.14]

Hook was a terrible and overrated movie. I don't why people in my generation liked it so much.

[@tannerbartko1203]

@@monotech20.14 Hook is a big comedown for Steven Speilberg. Hook should have been another Jaws, Close Encounters, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T.; in other words, movie magic. But instead it was a big miscalculation.

[@Shorty_Lickens]

5:00 "they like each other" oh, Gene, if you only knew.......

[@cougar2013]

Looks like the plot of Last Boy Scout worked. Gambling on sports is out of control in 2023

[@brandonford7148]

This review of Hook proves that film’s point about adults.

[@kevinjohnson3119]

I don't understand the review of The Last Boy Scout. I thought the portrayal of his daughter was realistic, a lot of children are foul mouthed brats. As far as his sullenness, well his life got derailed when he punched out the congressman for beating up a hooker. He was doing the right thing and got punished for it. Seems like his life spiraled down after that--affecting his wife and daughter. He is finally able to find redemption (and the renewed respect of his family) by hooking up with exQB who has, himself, been screwed over by the powers that be. Heck, he even does a jig at the end of the film. How can you say he's not happy go lucky?

[@rmjmoviereviews6876]

I guess they just didn't get it. The film clearly shows his depression affected his family, and he was stuck in a bad spot. I think the characters are pretty relatable. Joe and Jimmy are depressed, seems clear to me.

[@sandal_thong8631]

It comes around on cable every so often, and is something to watch. It's not like there's 20 minutes that doesn't work.

[@movieman104]

last boy scout came out 30 years ago today cool roger liked it

[@bigjohn08865]

Spielberg hated working with Julia Roberts on Hook and vowed never to work with her again

[@Jbaxter85]

Any reason why?

[@bigjohn08865]

Creator Breakdown: Julia Roberts was going through a mental breakdown after her wedding to Kiefer Sutherland was called off. She reportedly fled California and hid out in Ireland until Spielberg himself threatened to fire her if she didn't return immediately. Additionally she had to be hospitalized at one point for nervous exhaustion. Her behavior throughout the shoot gave her the crew nickname of "Tinkerhell" and Spielberg said he'd never work with her again.

[@Jbaxter85]

@@bigjohn08865 Sad & awful 😞😞

[@acholl980]

@@bigjohn08865 This was all over the headlines in summer '91 (and covered on ET). Production was obviously rushed since it was a period of six months before release.

[@sbarrow06]

​@@acholl980 That explains why he called his experience on the production an unpleasant one, next to The Temple of Doom which he also called a bad experience despite the feedback it got in the end.

[@cameronjacobs2719]

While Steven Spielberg has no doubt made better movies, I like Hook and think it's really amazing, heartwarming and an interesting take on the Peter Pan tale when compared to the 1953 Disney version.

[@iluvmylovebirdandmybudgiet7729]

hated hated that movie....

[@sandal_thong8631]

Just saw R.T. and the audience score is pretty good, but the critics' score is bad. It got a lot of awards nominations, though no Oscars.

[@hodun8]

The Last Boyscout was fkn awesome and not even S&E could throw a wet blanket on it!

[@matthewschwartz6607]

Boy, Ebert was such a puritan.

[@uyeda]

Ebert's right Bruce Willis was in Hudson Hawk. The same year he did that action flick.

[@reneperez7903]

The Last Boy Scout is worth watching way more than Hudson Hawk

[@reneedennis2011]

@@reneperez7903 The Last Boy Scout is a good movie 🍿.

[@kevinfinnerty8414]

They’re sensitive to the Last Boy Scout Language and Violence. But they love Pulp Fiction?

[@grumpygremlin2379]

She wasn't killed by a car bomb. She was killed by guys with automatic weapons.

[@tammymism]

"Hook-Steven Spielberg's new story about Peter Pan. He's grown up; he's a yuppie." 😄

[@sandal_thong8631]

I think it appealed to the two actors and the director.

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

The Last Boy Scout is in my top 3 Willis films with 12 Monkeys and Pulp Fiction

[@misterquantum9840]

Trekkies is the better term.

[@pandaeyes42]

"Amazingly violent and obscure". Wait until you see Reservoir Dogs!!!

[@johnwilliamson2207]

Cory wasn't killed by a car bomb, she was shot by Milo's goons.

[@mrbee4life182]

Last Boy Scout and Hook were amazing movies these guys were so dumb sometimes and by the way they were still successful despite them slagging them off

[@richardcahill1234]

The late 80s/early 90s were a rough time to be a Spielberg fan.

[@nvrules27]

And then Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List came out lol

[@sleuthentertainment5872]

Suddenly Jurassic park was made and everybody loved him again😂😂

[@ryanbates9668]

Fun game: Compare Ebert's reviews to your grandma's, and see who sounds like more of an old lady.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

He didn't sound like an old lady in this review. His review for Wild at Heart on the other hand, THAT was Roger being a real prude.

[@swine74]

as good as any lethal weapon

[@thomasbabilon9146]

My reviews: out of 5 1 " The Last Boy Scout " 2.5 out of 5 2 " Star Trek - The Undiscovered Country " 3.5 out of 5 3 " Hook " 4 out of 5

[@RockyRoyale84]

😂

[@mikedoherty7398]

Both good writers, but when they missed the mark, they *really* missed the mark. Siskel complaining about no music when Hook has one of John William's best scores & Ebert complaining about the plot being complicated....complicated? Hook? Sometimes you had to wonder how they got these jobs.

[@Trumpetjoe40]

Umm...the stripper (Halle Berry) was killed by a car bomb Roger? I don’t think that’s correct

[@peskyfly6087]

You're right. She got shot about fifty times.

[@terrygyimah1956]

Last Boy Scout 🌟🌟🌟 (out of 5) Hook 🌟🌟🌟 (out of 5) Star Trek VI 🌟🌟 (out of 5) Convicts 🌟🌟🌟 (out of 5) Double Life of Veronique 🌟🌟.5 (out of 5)

[@oobrocks]

Star Trek: 👍

[@robertwiegman1]

Hook was such a turkey.

[@kdohertygizbur]

Yes it was

[@tannerbartko1203]

Hook was a big comedown for Steven Speilberg. From one of my all-time very favorite directors, Hook should have been another Jaws, Close Encounters, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T.; in other words, movie magic . . . but instead it was a big miscalculation and a big disappointment.

[@kpe727]

Agree with Ebert about The Last Boy Scout -- incredibly well made but absolutely vile philosophically. Here's a movie that shows us a "hero" who's basically a total, self-pitying, drunken loser and the screenplay has the gall to have his wife APOLOGIZE to him at the end for not sticking by him through his absences and casual emotional abuse when he is around. That and it essentially can't imagine a female who isn't either a stripper/prostitute or an adulterous, nagging harridan. Even Willis' young daughter is a foul-mouthed brat. Pretty much everyone in this film is an unpleasant asshole, but at least the wife has very good reasons for her behavior. Good action scenes, though, so...

[@errolbourgeois8230]

You are right on the 💰 sir!

[@Peer165]

I really could care less about the philosophy of their dysfunctional marriage, the movie isn't about that. The Last Boy Scout is entertaining, funny and quatable as a movie gets. It's actually more fun than most comedy's today.

[@CheefChaos]

RUFIO!

[@dreamlandnightmare]

I don't think I've ever disagreed more with Siskel & Ebert than I do with Hook. Little menace to Hoffman's performance of Hook? He brainwashes Peter's son and kills Rufio, a child character! Yeah, it's definitely a campy performance, but there is still plenty of genuine menace to this Hook. The Lost Boys are boring? I loved the Lost Boys as a kid. They act exactly how kids at that age act! Siskel's idea for an "improved" Hook movie is atrocious. Also misfired criticism by both of the set design. The sets looked great, evoking a real storybook feel. The red and brown color scheme gives it a unique look.

[@JohnSmith-tk7nt]

Siskel: "They all genuinely like each other and you cant fake that!" The star trek cast famously all hated each other. At least they all hated Shatner and he seemed to hate them all

[@GlorifiedTruth]

"Hook" was god-awful. Always a gratuitous boost when these guys see through crap like that.

[@scottlombardi4603]

Gratuitous boost? I don’t think you know what the word gratuitous means.

[@GlorifiedTruth]

@@scottlombardi4603 I'm using the term to mean self-indulgent but meaningless. Although I know it's meaningless, it still gratifies my ego that they agree with me about this movie, that's all I mean. I suppose that's not a precise usage. But I know that if I misuse a term, someone on the internet will gladly correct me.

[@acrovader]

How is Star Trek 3 bad? Not a great movie by any means, but still.. And 6 is 'good' in a meh kind of way. The movie is a boring, predictible, Agatha Christie movie in space.

[@morgan8757]

i did not like hook many people wasted thier talents with this movie

[@blastbeatindustries3191]

Hook is a bad movie.

[@reneedennis2011]

I haven't seen it.

[@Dim4323]

Or a good one My jack

[@Biggiiful]

Nah

[@scottyunitedboy2925]

@@reneedennis2011 you're not missing much. Siskel and Ebert's review is spot on- I watched the film for the first time properly in many years about 12 months ago and was shocked by just how much Neverland and Hook's boat DO look just like movie sets. Even though I'm older now, I found the film to be extremely boring and overly sentimental. Fortunately Spielberg would get his edge back in the 90s (Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan), but his era of making very strong family pictures was gone after ET (give or take Jurassic Park).

[@reneedennis2011]

@@scottyunitedboy2925 Okay. Thanks!

[@jamesrogers2382]

Hook was horrid

[@monotech20.14]

Hook was a terrible and overrated movie. I don't why people in my generation liked it so much.

[@rosemaryfarell5264]

Hook was Awful. Hated it,so Bad. Another overrated,overhyped at the time Spielberg film. Bob Hoskins my Favourite actor also.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Hook isn't regarded as a great Spielberg film.

[@iluvmylovebirdandmybudgiet7729]

He`s made some bad movies....

[@JohnSmith-tk7nt]

I love Hook and i think its so fun and sentimental the whole way through. Plus i love robin williams. I think youve gotta be in a bad mood to not have fun watching that movie!