Neither Gene or Roger got the message of “ American Pop”. It was a marvelous way to tell not only the history and evolution of popular music through the first 80 years of the 20 century. It expresses through one family’s struggle to obtain the American Dream and finally being achieved by the last member. I loved the scene where he goes past the rabbi ‘s storefront and feels the beat of the cantor. An obvious reference to his ancestor who was killed in the revolution! I just think this movie works with a marvelous soundtrack to boot. Thanks so much for sharing.❤
it's truly a magnum opus and its lack of recognition is sad. i know sadly once bakshi passes his work will start to be more appreciated. but in the time being, i'm glad his cult following has seemingly kept him afloat because he really deserves it so much
I would take issue with that. Whole stretches, much as I hate to say it, are little more than rotoscoped extended sequences of someone lip syncing. I have an affection for this film, but can't give it credit it doesn't deserve.
While I generally agree with you, it should be remembered that "different" is not synonymous with "good." I appreciate the attempt, but did not think it work this time.
This film has a special place in my heart. It was one of my father's favorite films. I truly believe it was just ahead of it's time. The animation/story telling this movie offers is truly impressive.
This film is personally one of my all time favorites and it's extremely overlooked. Shut up Gene, I'm with Roger on this one, this film is inspiring and influential
His reason for disliking the movie had nothing to do with filmmaking. Horrible and baseless critique. Does not understand the fundamental definition of "film". American Pop does.
I Miss Both Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert so much, I Miss them Reviewing Movies, It's such a shame that they've passed away years apart from each-other. Gene Siskel - 1999. Roger Ebert - 2014. I wish they were still alive, I would've love them Review Other Movies from 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, Like, Movies 2015. 1. Paddington. 2. Strange Magic. 3. The Spongebob Movie Sponge Out of Water. 4. Chappie. 5. Cinderella. Live Action Movie. 6. Home. CGI Animated Movie. 7. Monkey Kingdom. Disneynature Movie. 8. Poltergeist. 9. Jurassic World. 10. Inside Out. CGI Animated Movie. 11. Ted 2. 12. Terminator Genisys. 13. Minions. CGI Animated Movie. 14. Ant-Man. 15. The Visit. 16. Hotel Transylvania 2. 17. Pan. 18. Goosebumps. 19. Jem and the Holograms. 20. The Peanuts Movie. CGI Animated Movie. Movies 2016. 1. Norm of the North. CGI Animated Movie. 2. Kung Fu Panda 3. 3. Zootopia. CGI Animated Movie. 4. The Jungle Book. 5. The Angry Birds Movie. CGI Animated Movie. 6. X-Men Apocalypse. 7. Alice through the looking glass. 8. Finding Dory. 9. Independence Day Resurgence. 10. The BFG. 11. The Secret Life of Pets. CGI Animated Movie. 12. Ghostbusters. 13. Pete's Dragon. 14. Ben-Hur. 15. Kubo and the two strings. CGI Animated Movie. 16. Storks. CGI Animated Movie. 17. Queen of Katwe. 18. Trolls. CGI Animated Movie. 19. Doctor Strange. 20. Fantastic Beasts and where to Find them. 21. Moana. Movies 2017. 1. Monster Trucks. 2. The Lego Batman Movie. CGI Animated Movie. 3. Kong: Skull Island. 4. Beauty and the Beast. 5. Power Rangers. 6. Ghost in the Shell. 7. The Boss Baby. CGI Animated Movie. 8. Smurfs The Lost Village. 9. Born in China. Disneynature Movie. 10. Baywatch. 11. Wonder Woman. 12. Cars 3. CGI Animated Movie. 13. Despicable Me 3. CGI Animated Movie. 14. War for the Planet of the Apes. 15. The Emoji Movie. CGI Animated Movie. 16. It. 17. The Lego Ninjago Movie. CGI Animated Movie. 18. My Little Pony the Movie. Animated Movie. 19. The Star. CGI Animated Movie. 20. Coco. CGI Animated Movie. 21. Star Wars the Last Jedi. 22. Ferdinand. CGI Animated Movie. Movies 2018. 1. Mary and the Witch's Flower. Anime Movie. 2. Black Panther. 3. A Wrinkle In Time. 4. Sherlock Gnomes. CGI Animated Movie. 5. Show Dogs. 6. Solo a Star Wars Story. 7. Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom. 8. Hotel Transylvania 3 Summer Vacation. 9. Smallfoot. 10. Goosebumps 2 Haunted Halloween. 11. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. 12. The Grinch. CGI Animated Movie. 13. Fantastic Beasts the Crimes of Grindelwald. 14. Ralph Breaks the Internet. CGI Animated Movie. 15. Spider-Man into the Spiderverse. CGI Animated Movie. 16. Mary Poppins Returns. Movies 2019. 1. A Dog's Way Home. 2. The Kid who would be King. 3. The Lego Movie Part 2: The Second Part. CGI Animated Movie. 4. How to Train your Dragon the Hidden World. CGI Animated Movie. 5. Fighting for my Family. 6. Wonder Park. CGI Animated Movie. 7. Dumbo. 8. Missing Link. CGI Animated Movie. 9. Pokémon Detective Pikachu. 10. Aladdin. 11. Godzilla King of Monsters. 12. The Secret Life of Pets 2. CGI Animated Movie. 13. Toy Story 4. CGI Animated Movie. 14. The Lion King. 15. The Angry Birds Movie 2. CGI Animated Movie. 16. It Chapter Two. 17. Abominable. CGI Animated Movie. 18. Joker. 19. The Addams Family. CGI Animated Movie. 20. Playing with Fire. 21. Lady and the Tramp. Movies 2020. 1. Dolittle. 2. Sonic the Hedgehog. 3. The Call of the Wild. 4. Onward. CGI Animated Movie. 5. Trolls World Tour. CGI Animated Movie. 6. Scoob!. CGI Animated Movie. 7. Mulan. 8. The Croods a New Age. CGI Animated Movie. 9. Wonder Woman 1984. 10. Soul. CGO Animated Movie. Etc. Etc. Etc.
Gonna side with Roger on this. American Pop is a great film and a personal favorite of mine from Bakshi, and I think Roger really nailed what makes the movie work.
I had never heard of this movie until sometime in the mid 90's, when I saw it on home video. The colors and animation were terrific. The was a little hard for me to follow at first. Then I rewatched it and understood how each generation of this one family had the same dream and it took multiple generations to finally realize it. Using music to tell the story through multiple generations was a stroke of genius.
I like this film, but I'm surprised that they failed to mention its heavy reliance on the rotoscoping technique. I kind of a agree with Roger though. American Pop should be seen, at least once.
Hell no to being scene only once, there’s actually little details that you wouldn’t know by seeing it once. Like Tony’s reason for leaving. Originally when I saw it I didn’t even know that his mother got married again and those sisters of his were someone else’s kids. He was being Exiled out of his own home and his mother kept playing his fathers records. Then years later we see little Pete and it’s hinted that Pete’s mother is possibly that corn haired chick from kanses. Not enough for you, how about the beginning of the movie where the Russian dude had to finish the prayer before his death, to Tony’s father continues to play piano before his death when he could’ve killed that Nazi. So much little detail that tells us a lot about their characters and what they care about.
They way I see this movie. The great grandfather was a singer , the grandfather was a musician, the father was a songwriter and the last son was all them in one.
@@Duke_Togo_G13 which is important because Petey got inspiration for the song he got the contract with by listening to a Cantor. Even if he didn't know his heritage it was ingrained in his soul.
@@mrfivegold - I remember that scene, where he is listening to that Cantor and grooving with the prayer, and I’m thinking to myself, ‘Oh, Pete, you’re a member of the Tribe, and you don’t even know it’. Years later, I wondered if Pete survived long enough to get online and do a DNA search. He deserves to know…..
@@jimstanga6390 the same rhythm the cantor was singing to was the same Pete played on his piano to compose Night Moves. He used heritage to compose a American masterpiece.
One of the Ralph Bakshi's Best Animated film ever made! (And it was a shame, it never got its own official UK DVD and Blu-Ray Disc markets and localise release)
4:05 You hear the recording studio tape machines click on and begin recording Pete playing in this review footage yet the sound is not in the actual film!
My favorite Bakshi film. I love what he did with Lord of the Rings, that was wildly innovative and experimental, but American Pop is his opus. Four generations in love with music and entertainment, and how their dreams were derailed. Then comes Petey. He's street savvy, musically talented, and yeah, he's a drug dealer, but his mom was pure American Girl Next Door, which may have been the key for Petey to succeed. It's pretty convoluted, 'magical theory/Fate' thinking, but Petey is the end product of some slimy folks, yet he was the one to make it. He was a little heavy-handed in order to get his chance, but that is also part of his heritage. I really like Wizards, also. Very deft political commentary, there. I haven't seen Fire & Ice , yet, but I'm looking.✌😺
When I was 12 I wanted to see this movie so badly when it came on cable TV finally. It was many, many years later that I saw it and I was very disappointed.
Just saw this again the other night on TCM for the first time since maybe '81. I had forgotten how much I loved this film, it is truly a masterpiece. Everyone talks about Heavy Metal b/c of the nudity but this is the one of the two that was truly innovative...
Some of the movement in the animation looks amazing (contrast tthe movement from the stillness behind the mixing board and glass in the studio...fascinating!)
One thing I agree on is that when compared to Fritz The Cat and Heavy Traffic, the story of American Pop is downplayed and it's not as hard edged and trashy as Bakshi's earlier films. But he explained in interviews that before he made Wizards, he wanted to move away from making something that would start further controversy and cause movie theaters to shut down (it happened after the premiere of Coonskin), so he wanted to make a family film with Wizards. Then, after he made Wizards, he was solely drawn to "film" and wanted to make more realistic animated movies. That's why Lord of the Rings, American Pop, and Fire & Ice stand out the most. So yes, it's story is not the greatest when compared to the earlier films he had written and directed, but as far as the quality of the animation and execution of the film, I think American Pop is Ralph Bakshi's best!
i'm a first generation immigrant living in america. feel almost what you describe only the funny part is this is an immigrant family's story. the best of american culture has always come from immigrants and marginalized people and those that stood with them and subverted the white status-quo. american pop is beauty through grime and suffering and pure magic, like almost all of bakshi's films are. the blind patriotism of this country by the many of those who completely fail to understand what actually made it great is nauseating to say the least.
i agree more with eberts points about this film than siskels when listening to the trailer to this film, you notice the movement of what the musicians are doing and to a modern audience, people arent bothered by how bakshi did this film he definately well drew the characters in this film cause this film alone is percieved as a music driven story as well it being a character driven story many of the segments with these animated representations of the musicians are great i especially like the somebody to love segment, it is definately quite brilliant and you can tell by looking at the scenes in this film that bakshi did a great job animating this this is probably a great ralph bakshi film that despite its R it could be worth viewing cause of the music segments
I saw the film in the theater with my father and his second wife in 1981, the year I turned 14 years old. I have to say the film didn't really fully connect with me back then either, although I certainly liked parts of it and I loved the last 10 minutes. Years later, I would finally buy the film on VHS and I would see it twice. The first of those times, I got the message and it connected with me. The last time I saw the film, it connected with me even more so, plus I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded. So again, I have to say Roger Ebert is 100% right here and Gene Siskel, by his own admission, just didn't get it.
the movie airheads should have taught you that it doesn't matter what any executive thinks about your music. If you're marketable, you're marketable It doesn't matter if they personally like it or not !!
Have to side with Roger on this one. American Pop is a great film. As for it being Bakshi's best? That a toss up for me between that and Heavy Traffic.
This is by far my favorite Bakshi films. I rented it back in the 90’s & then bought it. Fritz the Cat to me had its place as intro to mainstream animated adult movies but I found it to be rather shallow shock value and O thought his other films were mediocer despite the great unique animation. It was American Pop where his great animation, plot, & music came together to form his masterpiece. He packed a long history into a short film that if it was longer could have been epic but it was still great
the first guy was a performer the second guy was a musician the third guy was a songwriter the fourth guy is all of them combined, he has all the skills of his ancestors and succeeds in the end
Agreed... there is a feeling and love for music going on in this film that Gene just doesnt get. Incredible images too. Also..Ebert is right too about the unique storyline. Great movie!!
🔷Roger was right. Amazing how both dudes overstudied the flik. It was the story of the lives of this particular family, it took 5 gens to bring it to fruition. Pete was made. Life smarten, harden, and tempered petey’s character, it was his time.
I saw "American Pop" a few days after I watched this episode, and have regretted it since. To this day, it's still one my biggest movie letdowns ever. I should have listened to Gene.
The film had so much hype, and then I saw it and the animation was as inconsistent as hell. I really like the story though, and there’s some interesting stuff there. The music is great too. You should really give it another chance and go in with an open mind. You won’t regret it.
How does Gene not get the point of the film? It’s about how Jewish immigrants and their decedents influenced the American music industry! That’s the whole point!
Siskel was a new father, that didn't want newfound ideology, to interrupt his 'world", as most didn't at the time. Great critic. If we could only critique ourselves without getting pissed off. Hmmmm
Honestly Gene is FULL of bad takes. When separated from Roger, he's just a snob who doesn't understand the purpose of a lot of the films he reviews. We like him because of his banter with Roger.
Neither Gene or Roger got the message of “ American Pop”. It was a marvelous way to tell not only the history and evolution of popular music through the first 80 years of the 20 century. It expresses through one family’s struggle to obtain the American Dream and finally being achieved by the last member. I loved the scene where he goes past the rabbi ‘s storefront and feels the beat of the cantor. An obvious reference to his ancestor who was killed in the revolution! I just think this movie works with a marvelous soundtrack to boot. Thanks so much for sharing.❤
The rabbi was not killed in the Revolution, he was killed by the Cossacks in imperial Russia in the 1890s. Russian Revolution= 1905/1917.
You're absolutely right.
Probably the best film that Ralph Bakshi ever made...
His best work!
Wizards (1977) was his best.
it's truly a magnum opus and its lack of recognition is sad. i know sadly once bakshi passes his work will start to be more appreciated. but in the time being, i'm glad his cult following has seemingly kept him afloat because he really deserves it so much
I would personally put Heavy Traffic as his best film, and number 2 would be tied between Coonskin, Wizards, and American Pop.
Fritz the cat comes to mind 😊
Siskel's crazy. This is Bakshi's best film. And maybe the best animated film ever made.
I would take issue with that. Whole stretches, much as I hate to say it, are little more than rotoscoped extended sequences of someone lip syncing. I have an affection for this film, but can't give it credit it doesn't deserve.
Well, statements like this do at least make you an informed authority on craziness, if nothing else.
I appreciated how Bakshi was willing to try something different in animation: a realistic generational saga set to popular music.
While I generally agree with you, it should be remembered that "different" is not synonymous with "good." I appreciate the attempt, but did not think it work this time.
I know that America Pop is pure genius. Kicked the shit out of what Disney was doing around that time.
Well said man
Anything did, really.
This film has a special place in my heart. It was one of my father's favorite films. I truly believe it was just ahead of it's time. The animation/story telling this movie offers is truly impressive.
This film is personally one of my all time favorites and it's extremely overlooked. Shut up Gene, I'm with Roger on this one, this film is inspiring and influential
Absolutely love this film. I feel like, if Gene had rewatched it he would have come to appreciate it. It was that way for me
His reason for disliking the movie had nothing to do with filmmaking. Horrible and baseless critique. Does not understand the fundamental definition of "film". American Pop does.
I Miss Both Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert so much, I Miss them Reviewing Movies, It's such a shame that they've passed away years apart from each-other.
Gene Siskel - 1999.
Roger Ebert - 2014.
I wish they were still alive, I would've love them Review Other Movies from 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, Like,
Movies 2015.
1. Paddington.
2. Strange Magic.
3. The Spongebob Movie Sponge Out of Water.
4. Chappie.
5. Cinderella. Live Action Movie.
6. Home. CGI Animated Movie.
7. Monkey Kingdom. Disneynature Movie.
8. Poltergeist.
9. Jurassic World.
10. Inside Out. CGI Animated Movie.
11. Ted 2.
12. Terminator Genisys.
13. Minions. CGI Animated Movie.
14. Ant-Man.
15. The Visit.
16. Hotel Transylvania 2.
17. Pan.
18. Goosebumps.
19. Jem and the Holograms.
20. The Peanuts Movie. CGI Animated Movie.
Movies 2016.
1. Norm of the North. CGI Animated Movie.
2. Kung Fu Panda 3.
3. Zootopia. CGI Animated Movie.
4. The Jungle Book.
5. The Angry Birds Movie. CGI Animated Movie.
6. X-Men Apocalypse.
7. Alice through the looking glass.
8. Finding Dory.
9. Independence Day Resurgence.
10. The BFG.
11. The Secret Life of Pets. CGI Animated Movie.
12. Ghostbusters.
13. Pete's Dragon.
14. Ben-Hur.
15. Kubo and the two strings. CGI Animated Movie.
16. Storks. CGI Animated Movie.
17. Queen of Katwe.
18. Trolls. CGI Animated Movie.
19. Doctor Strange.
20. Fantastic Beasts and where to Find them.
21. Moana.
Movies 2017.
1. Monster Trucks.
2. The Lego Batman Movie. CGI Animated Movie.
3. Kong: Skull Island.
4. Beauty and the Beast.
5. Power Rangers.
6. Ghost in the Shell.
7. The Boss Baby. CGI Animated Movie.
8. Smurfs The Lost Village.
9. Born in China. Disneynature Movie.
10. Baywatch.
11. Wonder Woman.
12. Cars 3. CGI Animated Movie.
13. Despicable Me 3. CGI Animated Movie.
14. War for the Planet of the Apes.
15. The Emoji Movie. CGI Animated Movie.
16. It.
17. The Lego Ninjago Movie. CGI Animated Movie.
18. My Little Pony the Movie. Animated Movie.
19. The Star. CGI Animated Movie.
20. Coco. CGI Animated Movie.
21. Star Wars the Last Jedi.
22. Ferdinand. CGI Animated Movie.
Movies 2018.
1. Mary and the Witch's Flower. Anime Movie.
2. Black Panther.
3. A Wrinkle In Time.
4. Sherlock Gnomes. CGI Animated Movie.
5. Show Dogs.
6. Solo a Star Wars Story.
7. Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom.
8. Hotel Transylvania 3 Summer Vacation.
9. Smallfoot.
10. Goosebumps 2 Haunted Halloween.
11. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.
12. The Grinch. CGI Animated Movie.
13. Fantastic Beasts the Crimes of Grindelwald.
14. Ralph Breaks the Internet. CGI Animated Movie.
15. Spider-Man into the Spiderverse. CGI Animated Movie.
16. Mary Poppins Returns.
Movies 2019.
1. A Dog's Way Home.
2. The Kid who would be King.
3. The Lego Movie Part 2: The Second Part. CGI Animated Movie.
4. How to Train your Dragon the Hidden World. CGI Animated Movie.
5. Fighting for my Family.
6. Wonder Park. CGI Animated Movie.
7. Dumbo.
8. Missing Link. CGI Animated Movie.
9. Pokémon Detective Pikachu.
10. Aladdin.
11. Godzilla King of Monsters.
12. The Secret Life of Pets 2. CGI Animated Movie.
13. Toy Story 4. CGI Animated Movie.
14. The Lion King.
15. The Angry Birds Movie 2. CGI Animated Movie.
16. It Chapter Two.
17. Abominable. CGI Animated Movie.
18. Joker.
19. The Addams Family. CGI Animated Movie.
20. Playing with Fire.
21. Lady and the Tramp.
Movies 2020.
1. Dolittle.
2. Sonic the Hedgehog.
3. The Call of the Wild.
4. Onward. CGI Animated Movie.
5. Trolls World Tour. CGI Animated Movie.
6. Scoob!. CGI Animated Movie.
7. Mulan.
8. The Croods a New Age. CGI Animated Movie.
9. Wonder Woman 1984.
10. Soul. CGO Animated Movie.
Etc. Etc. Etc.
Gonna side with Roger on this. American Pop is a great film and a personal favorite of mine from Bakshi, and I think Roger really nailed what makes the movie work.
One of the greatest animated films ever made.
I had never heard of this movie until sometime in the mid 90's, when I saw it on home video. The colors and animation were terrific. The was a little hard for me to follow at first. Then I rewatched it and understood how each generation of this one family had the same dream and it took multiple generations to finally realize it. Using music to tell the story through multiple generations was a stroke of genius.
I like this film, but I'm surprised that they failed to mention its heavy reliance on the rotoscoping technique. I kind of a agree with Roger though. American Pop should be seen, at least once.
Heavy reliance? It's basically 100% rotoscoped!
Hell no to being scene only once, there’s actually little details that you wouldn’t know by seeing it once. Like Tony’s reason for leaving. Originally when I saw it I didn’t even know that his mother got married again and those sisters of his were someone else’s kids. He was being Exiled out of his own home and his mother kept playing his fathers records.
Then years later we see little Pete and it’s hinted that Pete’s mother is possibly that corn haired chick from kanses.
Not enough for you, how about the beginning of the movie where the Russian dude had to finish the prayer before his death, to Tony’s father continues to play piano before his death when he could’ve killed that Nazi.
So much little detail that tells us a lot about their characters and what they care about.
@@masterzombie161 That shit was obvious moron.
No shit fuckface. Everybody knew that then...
Juke Highwalker lol wow somebody needs to relax and quit being a bitch. Hope your parents didn’t save your college fund kid.
They way I see this movie. The great grandfather was a singer , the grandfather was a musician, the father was a songwriter and the last son was all them in one.
Nice!
Five? There's four generations.
Zalmie, his son Benny, his grandson Tony, and his great-grandson Little Pete.
@@karlpilgrim6397 yes he is.
They were counting Zalmies father, the cantor, in the beginning. The first generation that started it.
@@Duke_Togo_G13 which is important because Petey got inspiration for the song he got the contract with by listening to a Cantor. Even if he didn't know his heritage it was ingrained in his soul.
@@mrfivegold - I remember that scene, where he is listening to that Cantor and grooving with the prayer, and I’m thinking to myself, ‘Oh, Pete, you’re a member of the Tribe, and you don’t even know it’. Years later, I wondered if Pete survived long enough to get online and do a DNA search. He deserves to know…..
@@jimstanga6390 the same rhythm the cantor was singing to was the same Pete played on his piano to compose Night Moves. He used heritage to compose a American masterpiece.
One of the Ralph Bakshi's Best Animated film ever made!
(And it was a shame, it never got its own official UK DVD and Blu-Ray Disc markets and localise release)
One of the best animation films of all time. As a filmmaker, it inspires me on a daily basis. I respect Siskel (RIP). But Ebert here was spot on.
It's American history, and music told through the lives of one immigrant family. This is Bakshi's finest film.
I think this film was an absolute masterpiece. Bakshi's finest work!
4:05 You hear the recording studio tape machines click on and begin recording Pete playing in this review footage yet the sound is not in the actual film!
Love how civil Roger and Gene are in their disagreement on this one. Pretty rare if you think about it.
They did that a lot actually.
This is hands down one of my favorite films. I would highly recommend this film to anyone. It is a celebration of rock music.
Great film and great review by Ebert.
I grew up watching these in Chicago. RIP to you both, miss you both!
All we have today is Leonard Maltin, Dean Richards, Richard Roeper, etc.
@@chrisfinch8637 There's more but most aren't worth listening to.
My favorite Bakshi film. I love what he did with Lord of the Rings, that was wildly innovative and experimental, but American Pop is his opus. Four generations in love with music and entertainment, and how their dreams were derailed. Then comes Petey. He's street savvy, musically talented, and yeah, he's a drug dealer, but his mom was pure American Girl Next Door, which may have been the key for Petey to succeed. It's pretty convoluted, 'magical theory/Fate' thinking, but Petey is the end product of some slimy folks, yet he was the one to make it. He was a little heavy-handed in order to get his chance, but that is also part of his heritage.
I really like Wizards, also. Very deft political commentary, there. I haven't seen Fire & Ice , yet, but I'm looking.✌😺
I'm in the middle with this film, but I haven't seen it in over 30 years. I can see both of their points, but am leaning more towards the no vote.
It was difficult to find on video until 1997 because of a dispute over the royalties for the songs they used.
When I was 12 I wanted to see this movie so badly when it came on cable TV finally.
It was many, many years later that I saw it and I was very disappointed.
Just saw this again the other night on TCM for the first time since maybe '81. I had forgotten how much I loved this film, it is truly a masterpiece. Everyone talks about Heavy Metal b/c of the nudity but this is the one of the two that was truly innovative...
People talk about Heavy Metal, due to the trippiness, not the nudity. I'm surprised Siskel and Ebert didn't review it on their show.
Some of the movement in the animation looks amazing (contrast tthe movement from the stillness behind the mixing board and glass in the studio...fascinating!)
Like Siskel. Yet he was dead wrong here! Especially when Siskel was a huge David Lynch fan while Ebert was not! American Pop is a great American film!
American Pop was a awesome animated music flim because of the awesome music
One thing I agree on is that when compared to Fritz The Cat and Heavy Traffic, the story of American Pop is downplayed and it's not as hard edged and trashy as Bakshi's earlier films. But he explained in interviews that before he made Wizards, he wanted to move away from making something that would start further controversy and cause movie theaters to shut down (it happened after the premiere of Coonskin), so he wanted to make a family film with Wizards. Then, after he made Wizards, he was solely drawn to "film" and wanted to make more realistic animated movies. That's why Lord of the Rings, American Pop, and Fire & Ice stand out the most. So yes, it's story is not the greatest when compared to the earlier films he had written and directed, but as far as the quality of the animation and execution of the film, I think American Pop is Ralph Bakshi's best!
It makes me proud to be American every time I see this movie.
i'm a first generation immigrant living in america. feel almost what you describe only the funny part is this is an immigrant family's story. the best of american culture has always come from immigrants and marginalized people and those that stood with them and subverted the white status-quo. american pop is beauty through grime and suffering and pure magic, like almost all of bakshi's films are. the blind patriotism of this country by the many of those who completely fail to understand what actually made it great is nauseating to say the least.
i agree more with eberts points about this film than siskels
when listening to the trailer to this film, you notice the movement of what the musicians are doing
and to a modern audience, people arent bothered by how bakshi did this film
he definately well drew the characters in this film
cause this film alone is percieved as a music driven story
as well it being a character driven story
many of the segments with these animated representations of the musicians are great
i especially like the somebody to love segment, it is definately quite brilliant
and you can tell by looking at the scenes in this film that bakshi did a great job animating this
this is probably a great ralph bakshi film that despite its R
it could be worth viewing cause of the music segments
Yeah, Siskel made some good points, but Roger had points of his own, sittin' way up high.
so glad roger got it right. rest in peace
They really put the end of the movie in the fucking review
It wasn't the end, and actually the trailer and TV ads did the same thing.
@@bobthebear1246 i would say it's the climactic moment but also three beautiful years have passed and i'm no longer invested
American Pop and Heavy Metal. My two favorite animated movies.
I saw the film in the theater with my father and his second wife in 1981, the year I turned 14 years old. I have to say the film didn't really fully connect with me back then either, although I certainly liked parts of it and I loved the last 10 minutes.
Years later, I would finally buy the film on VHS and I would see it twice. The first of those times, I got the message and it connected with me. The last time I saw the film, it connected with me even more so, plus I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded.
So again, I have to say Roger Ebert is 100% right here and Gene Siskel, by his own admission, just didn't get it.
the movie airheads should have taught you that it doesn't matter what any executive thinks about your music. If you're marketable, you're marketable
It doesn't matter if they personally like it or not !!
Loved that movie when I was an early teenager. I wonder how it holds up.
Anything that's good "holds up."
3:10 Way to spoil the climax of the whole fuckin' movie, guys.
Love this movie!!!! 🤘🤘🎶🎶🎶🔥🔥🔥🔥
Have to side with Roger on this one. American Pop is a great film. As for it being Bakshi's best? That a toss up for me between that and Heavy Traffic.
This is by far my favorite Bakshi films. I rented it back in the 90’s & then bought it. Fritz the Cat to me had its place as intro to mainstream animated adult movies but I found it to be rather shallow shock value and O thought his other films were mediocer despite the great unique animation. It was American Pop where his great animation, plot, & music came together to form his masterpiece. He packed a long history into a short film that if it was longer could have been epic but it was still great
the first guy was a performer
the second guy was a musician
the third guy was a songwriter
the fourth guy is all of them combined, he has all the skills of his ancestors and succeeds in the end
Siskel misses the ball on this film. Usually I agree with him, but not in this case.
Agreed... there is a feeling and love for music going on in this film that Gene just doesnt get. Incredible images too.
Also..Ebert is right too about the unique storyline. Great movie!!
I loved this movie, but the guy who played Pete was obnoxious during his dialogue scene.
Really like the movie and I like the review here - it presented a few good idea's. Which ever you decide to take.
🔷Roger was right. Amazing how both dudes overstudied the flik. It was the story of the lives of this particular family, it took 5 gens to bring it to fruition. Pete was made. Life smarten, harden, and tempered petey’s character, it was his time.
So this is where Lynch got the idea for the opening scene of "Mulholland Drive".
I used to love watching Sneak Preview I loved when they agreed about a film
American Pop was a great movie.
Shit was getting heated they had to call off the interview before a fist fight😂
This is Ralph Bakshi’s best movie.
I just watched this movie yesterday because I have never seen a Ralph Bakshi film before
Did you like it?
@@FirstNameLastName-kt3zn yes I have to say it is one of bakshi's finest works
I saw "American Pop" a few days after I watched this episode, and have regretted it since. To this day, it's still one my biggest movie letdowns ever. I should have listened to Gene.
Ohhhhh fartzzzzz
The film had so much hype, and then I saw it and the animation was as inconsistent as hell. I really like the story though, and there’s some interesting stuff there. The music is great too. You should really give it another chance and go in with an open mind. You won’t regret it.
How does Gene not get the point of the film? It’s about how Jewish immigrants and their decedents influenced the American music industry! That’s the whole point!
Ironically Siskel was Jewish and Ebert Catholic.
This is my all-time favorite film, side not Kanye wests second favorite movie after Akira
great movie.. loved it.
gene overthought the movie
it is a classic
Siskel was a new father, that didn't want newfound ideology, to interrupt his 'world", as most didn't at the time. Great critic. If we could only critique ourselves without getting pissed off. Hmmmm
Non Carbonated Grape?? That sounds awful.
you shouldnt use a screencap that spoils the reviews
The trailer gives away the whole movie.
This is a fantastic movie -a masterpiece- Siskel is totally off on this one
Fun movie 🙃
Did Gene ever like a movie?
Saturday Night Fever
Starship Troopers
This movie unfortunately falls into the Uncanny Valley for me. It's just too 'off' in its animation. Creepy af.
Honestly Gene is FULL of bad takes. When separated from Roger, he's just a snob who doesn't understand the purpose of a lot of the films he reviews. We like him because of his banter with Roger.
Robert Ebert 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Gene was so lame
Gene was born to fail. I think he was only ever there to make Ebert look better.
This movie was terrible. Wizards was his best.