Roger Ebert Hated ‘Spice World,’ but Audiences Still Love the Camp ’90s Classic

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For decades, Roger Ebert influenced what people thought about movies and television. As a film critic from 1967 until his passing in 2013, he was famous for his honest reviews, never shying away from sharing negative opinions. His list of most disliked movies includes many older films that people are now rediscovering, and while most agree with his assessments, a few of these films don’t necessarily deserve the criticism he gave them.

Everyone has different tastes, especially when it comes to movies. Some films aren’t initially popular but later become beloved classics and gain a dedicated fanbase. A prime example is Spice World, which critic Roger Ebert strongly disliked. While definitely a product of the 90s and a bit over-the-top, it’s a fun, surprisingly clever movie with a positive message. Despite any imperfections, Spice World deserves more appreciation than it gets.

‘Spice World’ Was Ahead of Its Time in Some Ways

Despite being a product of the ’90s – much like the movie Spice World perfectly captures the spirit of the time – it’s remarkable how well the film holds up today. The plot is over-the-top and doesn’t always make sense, and the Spice Girls aren’t known for their acting skills, but Spice World was surprisingly progressive for its time. It really emphasized the ‘Girl Power’ message central to the Spice Girls’ brand, showing how women in the spotlight can embrace stereotypes while also being complex individuals. The film also cleverly explores the often-complicated dynamic between the group and the media.

I still can’t believe it’s been almost 30 years since this movie came out, but it honestly feels just as important now as it did back then. It really captures what it was like to be these girls, constantly chased by the press and judged for everything they did. It was intense – they didn’t even feel safe! I remember being shocked by the scene where they were trying to have a little fun on a boat with some contest winners, and a kid actually fell in the water, all because the girls were desperate to escape the control of their team. It was a scary reminder of the price of fame.

The Spice Girls are individuals with personal lives, and struggles like being unable to be there for a friend during a difficult time or having a difficult relationship with their manager show how little say they have in what happens to them. They seem to constantly be working, and are often treated as simply a marketing tool rather than people.

Fortunately, Roger Ebert’s biggest issues with Spice World were simply that it wasn’t realistic. The movie is intentionally over-the-top and silly – things like a UFO filled with people and a bomb on the bus are completely ridiculous. But no one would expect a Spice Girls movie to be a serious drama or win any awards. Plus, a movie doesn’t have to be good to be fun. There are plenty of films that are so bad they’re actually enjoyable, and people still watch them years later.

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Looking back from today, 1997 feels like a completely different time. But the movie Spice World perfectly captures the spirit of that decade while also surprisingly foreshadowing how famous women are treated even now. The filmmakers likely weren’t aiming to make a grand statement about society or feminism, and that’s okay. What matters is that, 29 years later, Spice World stands out as one of the few films that’s both lighthearted and fun and offers a unique perspective on female experiences. It’s a shame Roger Ebert didn’t recognize that.

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2026-03-11 17:02