“Looking back at Batman from a distance - after all the hype has dried up and the franchise has at least temporarily been abandoned - it's easy to see the movie for what it is: a moderately diverting motion picture that should have been shorter and better paced. There are a lot of things wrong with Batman, but it still makes for decent entertainment in the fine tradition of the typical low-intelligence summer movie. The best thing that can be said about Batman is that it led to Batman Returns, which was a far superior effort.” ShouldHas BeensSaidStillsEasyEffortFineReturnSummerLowsTraditionShould HaveDistanceEntertainmentSuperiorsBest ThingsDecentAbandonedLooking BackTypicalShould Have BeenHypeMotion Pictures Author:James Berardinelli
“After the second Die Hard, Bruce Willis stated he would never do another. He should have stayed firm in his resolve. If quality is any indication (and it may be, with all the available blockbusters), box office returns will be disappointing this time around and, if nothing else, that will do to John McClane what dozens of assorted bad guys couldn't manage: kill him.” IfsShouldMayHardGuyDiesQualityReturnOfficeShould HaveBoxesAvailableManageFirmResolveDozenBad GuysIndicationDisappointingBox OfficeBlockbusterAssorted Author:James Berardinelli
“It's rare that the sequel to a good movie lives up to expectations. Such is the case with Die Hard 2, the somewhat-muddled but still entertaining return of Bruce Willis' John McClane. Fortunately, the original Die Hard was good enough that there's room for the second installment to be enjoyable while still not matching the pace or possessing the flair of its predecessor.” StillsHardEnoughDiesRoomsCasesReturnExpectationsOriginalsGood EnoughPaceEntertainingEnjoyablePossessingGood MovieSequelsPredecessorsMatchingFlair Author:James Berardinelli
“Seventeen years after its intial release, The Empire Strikes Back is still as thrilling and involving as ever. Because of the high quality of the original product, it doesn't show a hint of dating. Neither [Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope nor Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi] were able to match the narrative scope of Empire, which today remains one of the finest and most rousing science fiction tales ever committed to the screen.” YearsStillsWarShowsTodayAbleStarsFictionQualityProductsReturnDatingOriginalsRemainsScience FictionCommittedStrikesScreensTalesReleaseNarrativeEmpiresEpisodesFinestScopeThrillingHintsInvolvingSeventeenHigh QualityNew HopeStrike BackEmpire Strikes Back Author:James Berardinelli
