Movie Reviews (Page 9)

A late entry into this summer of action movies, Traitor stars Don Cheadle.

We're a big fan of that actor, but it's hard not to wonder how any film related to terrorism will do well at the box office these days. Here's how a series of critics have responded to the thriller..

- Traitor is an intense and highly politicized film that dares to look at more than a few sides of an ideological battle that rages throughout the world... -- Cole Smithey

- The first things to go in Cheadle's portrayal of such a knotted, inward man are spontaneity and a sense of humor... -- Variety

- Making Traitor something more than a disposable B-movie was possible, but at this point in the release calendar, way more effort than it was worth... -- Cinema Blend

- With a sprawling production that spans many international locations, Traitor is efficient and convincing... - The Hollywood Reporter

Anna Faris, Rumer Willis and Katharine McPhee lead the cast of The House Bunny. Among those making cameos in the film are Shaquille O'Neal and Hugh Hefner.

Interesting casting choices for sure. Here's a look at how a few critics are reacting to the comedy...

- As much as the word 'vapid' is thrown around in the movie, it's also the perfect adjective to describe it. There are much better comedies out there right now to waste time on this one... -- ComingSoon.net

- Despite a winning performance by Anna Faris, the film falls on its keister so many times that before long the perky pinkness turns bruising black-and-blue... -- Philadelphia Inquirer

- The purpose of this comedy is to serve as a showcase for Anna Faris, whose sunny disposition and solid comic timing make The House Bunny more enjoyable than it ought to be... -- Associated Press

- By imposing a predictable message, it obscures the satire... -- USA Today

Give Death Race credit for one thing: it's title says it all. There's no mistaking what you're in for when you buy a ticket to this Jason Statham movie.

According to an assortment of movie critics, though, that's where the good news concerning this film ends. Check out their negative views on it now...

- Bravely takes on that philosophical quandary every one of us must face: What to do when a ninja breaks into your home, frames you for the murder of your wife and taunts you with a finger-gun motion? -- Arizona Daily Star

- Loud, vulgar and stupid, but what's most amazing is that despite all the bedlam, it will probably either bore you to tears or send you into gales of unintended laughter... -- One Guy's Opinion

- A serviceable, forgettable genre film marked by leaden performances, even more leaden dialogue, a few sterlingly gruesome images, and a supremely campy performance from Joan Allen... -- Slant Magazine

- Paul W.S. Anderson may have a lot of flaws as a filmmaker, but the man knows cheap thrills, and he delivers them here... -- Cinema Blend

Unless Tropic Thunder and Pineapple Express have exhausted movie goers of all their laughter, Hamlet 2 ought to be a modest hit.

The film stars Steve Coogan and, according to reports, Elizabeth Shue in a hilarious cameo. Here's how various film critics have reacted to the comedy...

- Hamlet 2 belongs firmly to Steve Coogan, which is fortunate since none of the film's supporting players prove to be the least bit memorable... -- Slant Magazine

- Hamlet 2 is never boring, and it certainly contains some of the heartiest laughs you'll have at the movies this summer, but it lacks a sense of engagement that would have made it so much better... -- MSNBC

- Hit-and-miss in terms of verbal wit and individual gags. But package moves along quickly, and overall concept remains amusing even when there’s a dud moment or three... -- Variety

- You might leave the theatre wondering whose minds were more twisted and demented, those who wrote this movie, or your own? -- ComingSoon.net

On August 20, Rainn Wilson is ready to rock!

He stars as Robert Fishman in the comedy The Rocker. A handful of critics around the nation have weighed in with their opinion on the upcoming movie...

- It's modestly entertaining, occasionally funny, and generally agreeable. I just don't think Wilson should quit his day job yet... -- Robert D. Snider

- Rainn Wilson has already been typecast as "that weird, crazy guy" in every role he plays, but he seems capable of more... ReelzChannel

- It’s exactly the kind of film that I’ll forget having ever seen by the time Summer is over and that’s too bad as I do love the premise of the film and I’m a fan of Rainn Wilson... Film Threat

- This is pre-packaged entertainment, a product designed to give bored teenagers something to watch on a Friday or Saturday night when steamy summer nights are getting longer and Labor Day is just around the corner... -- ReelViews

Considering the rather vast appeal of the Star Wars franchise, it's safe to assume that Star Wars: The Clone Wars will be a hit at the box office.

For those unsure about what this animated feature is all about, though, here's a look at how various critics have reacted to it...

- This isn't the Star Wars we've always known and at least sometimes loved... -- Variety

- Though visually engaging, the feature is a mixed bag of the strengths and weaknesses of the sci-fi world Lucas created 30 years ago... -- Emanuel Levy

- A worthy addition to the original six-film cycle, staying true to the spirit of the series while overhauling it in a number of important ways... -- About.com

- Anakin's a real mannequin in this stiffly-executed CG feature. Strained attempts at comedy are reserved for the constant bickering between Anakin and Ahsoka, who form something of a bizarre dysfunctional family along with the Hutt-let...-- The Hollywood Reporter

As soon as we saw that Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson were signed on for Vicky Cristina Barcelona, we wanted to buy our tickets online. We assume many women felt the same way, thanks to the presence of Javier Bardem in the movie.

But do these beautiful stars make the Woody Allen film worth seeing? Let's find out from a few critics...

- Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona has a natural, flowing vitality to it, a sun-drenched splendor that never falters... -- The New Yorker

- Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a lovely gift from a filmmaker who, when he's on his game, truly hits the mark... -- Cinematical

- A valentine to Spain's noted city, Allen's romantic comedy isn't very deep but it's his most entertaining and commercial work since Bullets Over Broadway, a showcase for the talents of Bardem and his three femmes, Johansson, Hall and Penelope Cruz... -- Emanuel Levy

- A sexy, funny divertissement that passes as enjoyably as an idle summer's afternoon in the titular Spanish city... -- Variety

Simply based on the star power of Pineapple Express - everything Seth Rogen touches these days turned to comedic gold - there's little doubt this movie will fare well at the box office.

But does that mean it's actually funny? Here's a collection of what many film critics have to say...

- It is uneven, overly long, makes utterly no sense -- but still manages to work as stoner escapism with a lot of pretty explosions... -- Jam! Movies

- Pineapple Express presents viewers with an oxymoronic experience: the action stoner film... -- Dallas Morning News

- How much you enjoy Pineapple Express may depend on what associations (or substances) you bring into the theater with you. As an action comedy, it's just a bad trip... -- Baltimore Sun

- James Franco's Saul Silver can step into the pantheon of iconic movie stoners joining Sean Penn's Jeff Spicoli and Jeff Bridges's Dude... -- Reeling Reviews

While the orignal The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was a modest hit - enough to warrant a follow-up - this weekend's sequel should fare quite well at the box office. The reason?

All four stars have found small screen success, elevating their status as actresses. Does this mean The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 is worth your time and money? A few film critics answered that question...

- Provides a strong showcase for four deserving actresses and healthy lessons for an underserved audience of girls and young women... -- Groucho Reviews

- The four leads are all capable stewards of their characters, each with their own sunniness and charm... -- Screen International

- With very little sex and very little city, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 still seems a good bet to grab a sizable chunk of the underserved chick-flick demographic... -- Variety

- [T]his sequel to the 2005 sleeper hit feels like the Teen People version of an old Hollywood "women's picture," the sort of vehicle that kept Joan Blondell and Ann Sothern busy before and during World War II... -- MSNBC

Tropic Thunder comes out on August 13.

What do critics have to say about this Ben Stiller-directed comedy? We asked a few for their opinion...

- A smart-alecky sendup of Hollywood in general and action films in particular, Tropic Thunder undeniably provokes quite a few laughs, but of the most hollow kind... -- Variety

- The self-aggrandizing humor becomes tiresome midway through...but the ending is spectacular and relentless. It would be hard for even the most cynical to avoid a hefty chuckle or two by the time the credits roll... -- ReelzChannel

- A broad action comedy that manages to mix subtlety with satire... -- Hollywood Reporter

- Robert Downey, Jr.'s performance is nearly on par with what Heath Ledger did as the Joker... -- Cinema Blend