Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert review three new films and discuss the new PG-13 rating for their "x-ray" segment. They split on
Conan the Destroyer (1984), the sword-and-sorcery sequel with Arnold Schwarzenegger reprising his role as the beefy barbarian. Ebert feels the second film is better than the first and has a stronger sense of purpose. Siskel thinks the romantic relationship of the first movie should have been followed up with a similar romance between Schwarzenegger and his co-star, Grace Jones. Both critics give thumbs up to
Top Secret! (1984), the new spoof from the makers of
Airplane! (1980); but Siskel feels the movie lacked a coherent story, while Ebert believes that was unnecessary for such a goofball comedy. Both critics recommend
Under the Volcano (1984), John Huston's powerful study of an alcoholic played by Albert Finney. They praise the adaptation of a novel that would have been impossible to film faithfully and rave the performance of Finney. In their special "x-ray" segment, they examine the proposed new PG-13 rating. They agree that the rating is a good idea, since the PG rating is being granted to too many violent, foul-mouthed films. But they suggest it should be an advisory and not a demand that theater owners restrict PG-13 films to children under 13.
—J. Spurlin