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:
38
(18 sources)
38
(18 sources)
-
60
Film Threat
This is a film which resonates on a surprising number of levels. But the level on which it undoubtedly works best is the victim-goes-postal-and-takes-the-law-into-his-own-hands level. Read Full Review » -
60
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60
Los Angeles Times
It was shrewdly written by Forrest Smith and directed crisply by Paul Abascal (Gibson's onetime hairdresser) for maximum visceral impact upon the susceptible. Read Full Review » -
58
Entertainment Weekly
It doesn't take long for the film to devolve into a ludicrously far-fetched Celebrity Death Wish. Read Full Review » -
50
Chicago Reader
In essence this is a celebrity revenge fantasy, something few of us can relate to, but director Paul Abascal has the sense to keep the homilies short and the pacing fast. Read Full Review » -
50
New York Daily News
Paparazzi is for anyone who's ever wondered how good it would feel to knock down a photographer with his car and then back over him. Read Full Review » -
50
New York Post
A throwback to the kind of '80s action flicks that had titles like "Adrenaline Force," is enlivened by a raft of celebrity cameos, including a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance by Gibson. Read Full Review » -
40
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40
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40
The Hollywood Reporter
First-time director Paul Abascal brings no style or personality to this B-movie exercise. Except for Farina, the actors go through the paces as if they too lack conviction in the proceedings. Read Full Review » -
40
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Paparazzi follows the vigilante playbook in all its banality, without much in the way of moral reflection. Read Full Review » -
40
LA Weekly
In producer Mel Gibson's second crackpot persecution-complex film of 2004 -- heat-blast directed by first-timer Paul Abascal -- it's obvious who Bo is supposed to represent. Read Full Review » -
40
Variety
Visually uninspired and dramatically overheated, Paparazzi has overall look and feel of generic direct-to-video production. Read Full Review » -
38
Premiere
In the age of reality television, Paparazzi feels desperately out-of-touch, the jaded grousings of an industry burnout. Read Full Review » -
38
ReelViews
One has the sense that if the level of violence had been ratcheted up a little, Paparazzi might have been more of a guilty pleasure and less of a chore to watch. Read Full Review » -
30
TV Guide
This mean-spirited revenge story would once have starred Cole Hauser's father, veteran B-movie psycho Wings Hauser, and played grindhouses and drive-ins. And it would have been a far more entertaining picture. Read Full Review » -
30
Austin Chronicle
All this would be fine if the script by Forrest Smith had more wit and fewer clichés, or the direction by former makeup artist Abascal had more inventiveness. Read Full Review » -
25
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
There is no energy here. No sense of movie invention or fun. Read Full Review »
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