Critics Scoreboard
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Average Critic Score:
30
(26 sources)
30
(26 sources)
-
75
Chicago Sun-Times
The movie crosses two formulas -- Fish Out of Water and Coming of Age -- fairly effectively. Because it isn't wall-to-wall action but actually bothers to develop its characters and take an interest in them, it was not at first considered commercial by its distributor, New Line, and languished on the shelf for two years. Read Full Review » -
50
Variety
Young male auds should warm to its cool criminal ethos, sharp dialogue, charismatic cast and wry humor. Read Full Review » -
50
-
50
Philadelphia Inquirer
It has its moments of swaggering camaraderie, but more often just feels generic, derivative and done to death. Read Full Review » -
50
New York Daily News
Nothing you haven't already seen elsewhere, except for Vin Diesel looking even then like a box-office champ. Read Full Review » -
50
Boston Globe
Likable performances are critically wounded by implausible scenarios and derivative-minded direction referencing everything from ''Reservoir Dogs'' to ''Fargo.'' Read Full Review » -
50
Entertainment Weekly
It has no twistiness or intrigue, and none of the juicy anthro-underworld detail that Koppelman and Levien brought to their screenplay for the tricky, enjoyable ''Rounders.'' Read Full Review » -
50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
A layabout movie -- not risibly bad, just relentlessly sub-par. Read Full Review » -
40
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Knockaround Guys proceeds with a gravity that's constantly tripped up by its characters' stupidity. Read Full Review » -
40
Austin Chronicle
Despite flashes of originality, is a formulaic quagmire that traps bits and pieces from all these genres without really satisfying any of their true aims. Read Full Review » -
40
TV Guide
This high-concept gangster picture tries unsuccessfully to duplicate Reservoir Dogs's(1992) hair-raising high-wire balance between dark comedy and violent crime thriller, undermining some entertaining performances and the script's small virtues in the process. Read Full Review » -
38
New York Post
Any one episode of "The Sopranos" would send this ill-conceived folly to sleep with the fishes. Read Full Review » -
38
Chicago Tribune
There's nothing original about the father-son conflict that forms the core of the film, nor is there enough suspense and drama. Read Full Review » -
38
Baltimore Sun
Malkovich acts as if he's doing Shakespeare, pontificating, enunciating and generally overreaching. Read Full Review » -
33
Portland Oregonian
It all makes you realize the importance of the guy who should have played Malkovich's role -- Christopher Walken. He makes films like this bearable. Read Full Review » -
30
Rolling Stone
Off the shelf after two years to capitalize on the popularity of Vin Diesel, Seth Green and Barry Pepper. It should have stayed there. Read Full Review » -
30
Washington Post
Will satisfy only those who can't tell the difference between the good, the bad and the ugly. Read Full Review » -
30
Los Angeles Times
Certainly, Malkovich's portrayal of mob lieutenant Teddy Deserve (!) and his lacquered swagger represent the only thing here that you haven't seen a hundred times before. Read Full Review » -
30
Chicago Reader
Malkovich is severely miscast as a heartless and conniving thug admired by the hero (apparently Charles Grodin was busy), and Hopper, in a paper-thin role, barely registers. Read Full Review » -
30
LA Weekly
Koppelman and Lieven's toneless, generic direction style is slack, not slick, and they handle actors like livestock. Only John Malkovich, as Matty's psychotic uncle, retains his dignity. Read Full Review » -
25
-
25
Christian Science Monitor
The story is a string of sub-Scorsese clichés, and if engaging actors like Malkovich and Hopper seem to be sleepwalking through their roles, imagine how unwatchable Diesel manages to be. Read Full Review » -
25
-
20
The New York Times
When it comes to father, sons and mob life, stick to "The Godfather." Read Full Review » -
10
Salon.com
One of those strained caper movies that's hardly any fun to watch and begins to vaporize from your memory minutes after it ends. Read Full Review » -
10
Village Voice
The only drama is in waiting to hear how John Malkovich's reedy consigliere will pronounce his next line. Read Full Review »
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