Richard Roeper Discusses Hollywood’s Risk Aversion

Film critic Richard Roeper, known for his long tenure reviewing films, shared his thoughts on the current state of Hollywood’s film industry, which he describes as largely risk-averse. In a recent conversation, he noted that studios seem hesitant to pursue original or comedic projects out of fear of backlash or poor box office performance.

“In many studio executives’ offices, it’s simpler to say, ‘Let’s do a remake or another Star Wars spinoff,'” Roeper explained. He pointed out that investing heavily in a novel film, particularly one costing around $125 million, poses a significant risk if it flops.

Original Films Receiving Praise

This year, Roeper highlighted a couple of original films he enjoyed, such as “Sinners” and “Weapons,” praising their fresh concepts amidst a sea of reboots and sequels. He remarked, “What’s refreshing about ‘Sinners’ is that, despite a similar title making waves with ‘Weapons,’ these are original stories.” Yet, he lamented the prevalence of remakes, suggesting that many are rarely as memorable as their predecessors, like the 2023 “Roadhouse,” a reboot of Patrick Swayze’s classic.

Roeper also pointed out the trend of revamping classic series, mentioning titles like “Fatal Attraction.” He spoke critically about the recent adaptation of “Presumed Innocent,” saying that despite the attempt to expand on a well-regarded film, it “just didn’t hold up” compared to the original.

He offered an analogy, comparing remakes to a cover band that can sound great but ultimately can’t replace the original artists. “It’s like hearing a solid tribute act; you can still tell it’s not the real deal,” he said.

Decline in Comedy Films

Addressing the drop in comedy films in recent years, Roeper affirmed, “Absolutely.” He noticed a stark contrast when looking back at the film landscape of the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, recalling hits like “Animal House” and “Caddyshack,” which felt more abundant back then. “I miss those days of comedic variety; there seemed to be something new every month,” he reflected.

Roeper speculated that studios now shy away from bold comedy because they fear offending people, suggesting that the rewriting process is increasingly cautious about potential backlash. He noted how audiences often react negatively to films before they even see them, mainly based on themes or snippets shared online.

He observed a shift in trends, asserting that raunchy comedies and R-rated horror films are taking the place of traditional comedies. “It seems there’s a new horror release every week, but comedies? Those seem limited to just a few a year,” he noted.

The Changing Landscape of Film Criticism

Reflecting on the evolution of film criticism, Roeper voiced concern over the diminishing presence of full-time critics in mainstream media. He noted the recent buyouts at traditional outlets and expressed regret at the loss of critical voices in major publications. “It’s a changed landscape,” he said, also acknowledging how some might declare a ‘death’ for film criticism, but he disagrees, viewing it as a thriving field in various new forms.

“We might see fewer traditional critics, but platforms like Rotten Tomatoes and social media have democratized film criticism. Everyone can weigh in,” he stated, emphasizing that it remains essential amidst an overwhelming amount of content available today.

He believes that part of a critic’s role is to spotlight lesser-known films that might not immediately be available everywhere. “Cinema is about connecting viewers with stories, even if those stories are just opening in select cities,” he explained.

Ultimately, Roeper aims to continue serving an audience that values practical advice about which films to see, much like his mentor, Roger Ebert, always aimed to do. “Ebert thought deeply about what regular folks might want to spend their hard-earned money on,” he remarked, aspiring to maintain that ethos in his own work.