Roger Ebert, the iconic film critic widely admired for his sharp insights during a career lasting over four decades, delivered one of his most severe reviews for a Sylvester Stallone movie. Known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning work at the Chicago Sun-Times, Ebert did not hold back in his condemnation of the 1992 buddy cop comedy Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, starring Stallone alongside Estelle Getty. This film, notorious for its poor reception, offered an unusual blend of action and comedy that failed to land, prompting Ebert’s withering assessment of Stallone bad movies.
In Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, Stallone plays LAPD Sergeant Joe Bomowski, whose routine life is upended by his imposing mother Tutti, played by Getty. The story unfolds as Tutti’s meddling brings her inadvertently into a murder investigation. Ebert’s review assigned the film a half-star rating and characterized it as a work so “dimwitted” and devoid of redeeming qualities that viewers are left staring “in stunned disbelief.” His critique quickly made clear that the film’s failure extended beyond simple flaws, marking it as a notably destructive entry in Stallone’s filmography.
Highlighting an Especially Distasteful Moment
Though marketed as a comedy, Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot generates little actual humor beyond a few awkward attempts, such as a poor impersonation of Clint Eastwood by Getty’s character or a bizarre dream sequence involving Stallone’s character in a diaper. Ebert was particularly scathing about a scene where Joe and Tutti interact with a troubled young man standing on a ledge, a scenario commonly employed to create tension or humor in various films.
In this scene, Tutti tries to coax the young man using a megaphone, offering motherly advice, while Joe grows increasingly embarrassed as Tutti reveals his baby pictures to the onlookers. Instead of yielding genuine comedy or empathy, the moment comes across as
“the most unwound, phoned-in, contrived version”
of its kind, according to Ebert.
Other Stallone Films That Faced Ebert’s Criticism
While Ebert’s review of Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot was particularly harsh, he did acknowledge Stallone’s potential as a comedic actor. Stallone’s celebrated role in the Rocky films, praised by Ebert in his “Great Movies” column, shows the critic’s respect for Stallone’s skill when employed well. Nonetheless, several other Stallone projects drew Ebert’s disdain for failing to meet even minimal standards.
One example is Death Race 2000 (1975), a cult film featuring Stallone as a violent race car driver known as Machine Gun Joe. Ebert was appalled by the excessive on-screen violence and the seemingly enthusiastic reaction of young viewers, admitting he was tempted to leave the theater immediately. Another low point was the 1984 movie Rhinestone, where Stallone attempted to portray a country singer opposite Dolly Parton. Ebert labeled Stallone’s overacting as “embarrassing” and described the film’s sex scene between Stallone and Parton as
“so tame that Miss Piggy goes further with Kermit.”
The Enduring Notoriety of “Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot”
Despite other failed Stallone movies, it is Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot that remains the greatest symbol of cinematic failure among Stallone bad movies. Ebert lamented the squandering of the actors’ talents in what he described as
“a movie that was filmed before it was written,”
capturing the sense of lost potential and disorganization that plagued the production.
The film’s negative reputation is echoed by critics beyond Ebert, evident in its dismal 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Decades after its release, it is still commonly cited as one of Stallone’s worst performances. This lasting stigma highlights the importance of script and direction quality in maintaining an actor’s legacy, especially for someone as respected as Sylvester Stallone.
Given Ebert’s influential voice and detailed critiques, his harsh judgment of Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot serves as a cautionary tale about how even the most accomplished actors can fall victim to poorly conceived projects. While Stallone’s career later saw different successes, this film remains a notorious reminder of a significant misstep.
