I Can’t Believe Roger Ebert Hailed This 41% RT Creature Feature as ‘Superior Entertainment’

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From the late 1960s until his death in 2013, he established himself as a film critic, reviewing iconic movies like *2001: A Space Odyssey*, *Die Hard*, and *Halloween*. He was known for being fair and independent, often championing unpopular films and criticizing well-loved ones. However, his exceptionally high rating for this low-budget monster movie is unexpected, to say the least.

The 1990s were a fascinating era for film, especially for thrillers, crime stories, comedies, and adventures. New directors like Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, and David Fincher quickly became prominent, particularly in darker genres, and Steven Spielberg consistently delivered excellent films. The decade was full of original, thought-provoking, and ambitious movies that really captured the public’s imagination. Twenty-eight years ago, a particularly strange and controversial monster movie emerged. While most critics didn’t like it, Roger Ebert of the *Chicago Sun-Times* was a surprising fan. I’ve always admired Ebert’s independent spirit and his willingness to share his honest opinions, even when they went against the crowd – and his enthusiastic review of this film is definitely unexpected.

Anaconda Is The Epitome Of ’90s B-movies

The movie *Anaconda* stars Jennifer Lopez as Terri Flores, the leader of a film crew traveling up the Amazon River to document a remote indigenous tribe. During their journey, they encounter and rescue Paul Serone, a suspicious poacher, after his boat is damaged. Serone offers to guide them to the tribe, but secretly leads them into dangerous territory, drawing them closer to a massive anaconda. After a struggle for control of the boat, the crew comes face-to-face with the enormous snake.

When Terri and her team realize Serone is using them as bait for a massive snake, they fight back, but they’re quickly outmatched. This leads them straight into a trap set by Serone, resulting in a terrifying and strangely funny battle between the two hunters. The scene features some of the most shocking and darkly humorous deaths the genre has ever seen, as the monster relentlessly devours its victims. Terri and Danny, the team’s camera operator, manage to find a way to escape being eaten, and the movie ends with them finally reaching the Shirishama.

Ebert Was A Surprise Defender Of Anaconda

When *Anaconda* came out, it quickly gained a following among fans who enjoyed campy monster movies. While these fans loved it, critics generally panned it, dismissing it as a low-budget imitation of *Jaws* lacking the quality of Spielberg’s film. However, Roger Ebert defended the movie in a 1997 review, calling it “a slick, scary, funny creature feature, beautifully photographed and splendidly acted in high adventure style.” This positive take is likely to be controversial, as most critics have always been harsh towards the film and the genre it represents.

In his review, Roger Ebert described *Anaconda* as a surprisingly well-made crowd-pleaser – a rare combination of special effects, thrills, humor, and creative gore. This enthusiastic praise was notable because, outside of serious dramas or intense thrillers, it was one of Ebert’s most positive reviews of the 1990s, even exceeding his opinions of some Academy Award-winning films. This wasn’t unexpected from Ebert, who always evaluated movies based on how well they fulfilled the expectations of their genre. A four-star rating from him meant a film excelled *within* its category, not necessarily that it was a universally great movie.

As a film buff, I always found Ebert’s take on *Anaconda* fascinating. He wasn’t really interested in whether it was scary, but more in how effectively it created the feeling of being deep in the Amazon. He really highlighted the snake’s design, the music, and the lighting – all the little details that built that atmosphere. He pointed out that a movie like that could easily fall flat and be silly – referencing *Piranha* as an example – but that it all came down to the filmmakers’ skill. He specifically praised the work of cinematographer Bill Butler and director Luis Llosa, whom he’d admired previously for *Sniper*. He felt there was a similar tone and style between the two films, which really showed he was a fan of Llosa’s directing approach.

Ebert Had An Unbridled Love Of Adventure

Roger Ebert consistently supported adventure films throughout his career. He was one of the few critics to defend movies like *Congo*, and he generally enjoyed pulpy action flicks. It’s fitting that he liked *Anaconda* – he saw it as a knowingly cheesy, fun ride through the Amazon. Interestingly, he gave *Anaconda* a remarkably high rating of 3.5 out of 4 stars, higher than his scores for critically acclaimed films like *The Prestige*, *Gladiator*, and even *The Mummy*.

The director enjoyed *Anaconda* as a classic jungle adventure and admitted his fondness for silly monster movies played a part. He was a strong advocate for the film, praising everything from the special effects and acting to the cinematography and music – a rare stance among critics. Given its 41% score on Rotten Tomatoes, his overwhelmingly positive review is a significant exception. While others have occasionally offered mild praise, they always included reservations, hesitant to call it a good movie. Jon Voight delivers a memorable performance as Serone, the villain audiences love to root against, even with a questionable Paraguayan accent. His final wink before dying perfectly captures the film’s exaggerated style, which turned many critics off.

Anaconda Is Getting A Revival

Like many low-budget monster movie series, Anaconda never truly ended, but gradually became less well-known with increasingly ridiculous plots and cheaper filmmaking. Many consider the crossover with *Lake Placid* to be its most humorous point – a giant snake battling a massive crocodile, with panicked tourists caught in the middle. Then, in 2025, a complete reboot was announced, offering a treat for fans of the original. Judging by the cast, this new version will likely ditch the original’s serious atmosphere and fully embrace the campy, over-the-top side of the genre.

Jack Black, known for his roles in films like the new *Jumanji* and *The Minecraft Movie*, has become a popular adventure star. But while Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones relied on action and fighting, Black brings a lot of comedy to the genre. The upcoming 2025 film will likely feel more like fun, lighthearted adventures such as *The Librarian* and *Lake Placid* than the intense *Anaconda* – though the original *Anaconda* did have its funny moments. If successful, the new movie could capture what critic Roger Ebert enjoyed about the first one: humor, exciting jungle settings, and impressive monster designs.

The Giant Anaconda Had Plenty Of Peers

The 1990s saw a surge in enjoyable monster movies. Studios were able to create these films more affordably and effectively thanks to advancements in CGI and special effects. Between 1990 and 2000, popular titles like *Lake Placid* and *Arachnophobia* kept audiences entertained. Even *The X-Files* contributed to the trend with its monster-themed episode, “Quagmire,” which offered a similar concept to *Lake Placid* but with a Loch Ness Monster spin. These films, including *Anaconda*, succeeded by balancing action with witty characters and humorous dialogue. The upcoming remake aims for a similar, fast-paced energy as *Snakes on a Plane*.

Ever since the success of *Jaws*, monster movies have consistently provided lighthearted thrills, offering a mix of scares, fun, and comedy. Director Luis Llosa delivered a somewhat imperfect but entertaining film in 1997, filled with memorable characters. Even today, *Anaconda*, released 28 years ago, remains a fun watch, and Roger Ebert’s surprisingly positive review of this over-the-top jungle adventure is still talked about.

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2025-10-06 04:41