Ebert Presents: At the Movies

Ebert Presents at the Movies fails to live up to the Siskel and Ebert pedigree that is its main selling point. In a number of areas, ranging from the charisma of its hosts to Roger Ebert's level of involvement. Even the theme music falls flat.

The first and most damaging problems is the new hosts' lack of charisma. Neither brings much edge or appeal to their critiques, an issue exacerbated by the fact that they tend to agree. A LOT. What made the original Siskel and Ebert such a great show was that the two critics held at times very different views, and clashed to a certain degree. The new critics lack the frisson that made them great.

Furthermore, the segments involving Roger Ebert are rather weak. Often, they just feature him reiterating the column he wrote about the reviewed movie. Even making allowances for his disability, this seems a rather weak approach. A better tactic would be for him to react to the review of the two hosts. (At times, they seem to dislike movies that Ebert has given great reviews.)

Even the theme music falls flat. The original series had an energetic saxophone theme, whereas this just uses the theme from The Third Man.