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Lions for Lambs
2007
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whatthehellweretheythinking
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35 %
27 %
Rotten
$ 64 Million
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Lions for Lambs
Positive Reviews
43
Negative reviews
50
Average Rating
2.5
/5
whatthehellweretheythinking
cinematic
liberal
compelling
contemporary
All
Positive
Negative
3.0
A hopelessly stilted political drama that plays like U.S. News & World Report: The Movie.
Av Club
3.0
Cruise, in his cocksure logician mode, doesnt condescend; he gives the neocon rhetoric its due.
EW
3.1
The movie is a talkathon with a certain amount of military action. It could be presented about as well as a radio play.
Rogerebert
4.5
I found the performance of Robert Redford quite good, although I still think that hes a better director than an actor.
Common Sense Media
1.5
Robert Redfords first helming chore in seven years, and his most directly political pic yet, amounts to a giant cry of Americans, get engaged! wrapped ..
Variety
2.5
Streeps impassioned performance exemplifies the seriousness of the stakes, but a lot of liberal hand wringing, however commendable, does not in itself ..
Time Out
1.5
The filmmakers must have imagined sparky, engaging conversation between these duos similar to a high speed tennis bout between skillful pros; what eme ..
Time Out
1.9
But in a film thats already established its protagonist as a raging, loathsome man, theres no room here for romantic notions of crime.
1.5
For all its passion and topical currency, the movie plays too often like a college colloquium.
3.5
The other two segments are less captivating (though never boring), largely because the logic in their plotlines doesnt always hang together very well.
1.5
for the rest of us who think that a piece of cinema should be more than that, Lions for Lambs leaves us feeling empty rather than sparked by the zeitg ..
Paste Magazine
3.0
An exhilarating piece of direction that begs the question, Robert Redford This is the same man whos been content making the cinematic equivalent of re ..
E Film Critic
4.0
A film that is less a fully developed portrait of its subject than it is a rough snapshot that conveys the immediacy of the times in a more gripping m ..
E Film Critic
3.1
Lions for Lambs poses a lot of questions, but you wont have to wait around until the end to find the answers, because you know right from the beginnin ..
E Film Critic
2.0
With Lions for Lambs, actor producer director Robert Redford wears his heart on his sleeve. If he had put his brain there as well, he might have made ..
E Film Critic
3.8
Its strengths are the strengths of journalism, not the strengths of, say, a Tolstoy novel.
San Francisco Chronicle
4.0
A smart, accessible, surprisingly balanced look at our dysfunctional world. Compelling stuff.
3.5
A guilt trip worth taking, since no matter where you stand, you have stand somewhere, and you wont leave Lions for Lambs without discussing it.
Cinema Blend
2.5
Unfortunately, a single, compelling plot would have been far more effective than earnest lectures in triplicate.
Ny Daily News
2.5
The film is built not upon characters and plot but upon ideas. That would be fine if the ideas were revolutionary or interesting, but theyre fairly co ..
ReelViews
2.5
In the end, it all remains a dramatically inert set of talking points, and not even the high caliber cast can make much more out of it.
Tv Guide
3.0
Redford isnt stretching talking to the younger generation about the importance of becoming involved.
3.1
Streep is low key, while Cruise is slickly persuasive as the opportunistic politician.
Usa Today
3.1
Though its perhaps a little bit too long, Ordinary People is intelligent and uncompromising fare well worth checking out.
Reel Film Reviews
2.0
It doesnt take a genius to know who is going to be sacrificed in this weak morality tale.
Lariat
3.0
For a film thats 95 percent talk, Lions for Lambs is admirably fast paced, energized with something often missing in movies: ideas.
Eric Ds Nider
4.5
Arian and Ernie are the young men of color who are acting out the plot the white folks are talking about.
Pop Matters
1.0
Tedious, preaching to the converted drama with lifeless direction and a shockingly ham fisted script.
View London
2.0
Like many a Hollywood political drama, Lions for Lambs carries a full head of steam that is indistinguishable from a lot of hot air.
Cs Monitor
1.9
The soldiers dont get much to do theyre injured and cant move, so theyre waiting to be either shot by the Tallies in the hills or rescued.
New York Post
1.5
All three stories ultimately feel too glib and superficial to make any lasting contribution to the debate on Iraq.
Film Journal International ..
2.5
Those who agree with its sentiments likely felt that way going into the movie. And the film is so talk heavy and strident that it becomes overwhelming ..
Deseret News (Salt Lake Ci ..
1.9
Blah, blah, blah. ... This relentless polemic by director Robert Redford is likely to put both critics and supporters of the Iraq war to sleep.
Internet Reviews
3.0
Robert Redford (who also directed), Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep might just as well have appeared on screen for a couple of minutes with signs that sai ..
Az Central
2.5
A good movie lives in here somewhere, but after about 20 minutes, you realize, despite the good lighting, syrupy music, and Hollywood stars, Redford d ..
Boston
3.0
The film arrives at a strong climax that it simply doesnt deserve.
Mountain X
4.5
If it made me both sad and hopeful at the same time, well, thats because there isnt going to be an easy answer, and its going to take us longer to dig ..
1.9
A lumpy, ill dramatized and ultimately enervating liberal op ed piece flailing for dramatic purchase, this steroid inflated Sundance workshop may prov ..
Toronto Star
3.0
Carnahans saga story takes place on three tense and emotional fronts, each with considerable personal stakes.
Emanuellevy
2.5
Its not a bad idea, but the delivery shouldnt remind one of being back in high school, watching a didactic film in class.
Reel Talk Reviews
2.0
The interwoven narrative strategy that gradually reveals hidden connections is so old hat at this point that it feels more hackneyed than revelatory, ..
Q Network
2.0
But Elizabeth: The Golden Age sank without trace in American cinemas, and I fear it will do the same here.
Daily Mail
1.0
Were it any good, its half witted politics and startling complacency would make it a strong contender for Oscar nominations.
Daily Mail
0.5
Lions for Lambs appears to have been created by someone whos never seen one of these newfangled contraptions called movies, or for that matter, witnes ..
Slate
2.0
It isnt supposed to be a video game, of course, but thats how it looks, with clunky CGI and unbelievable plot points.
Eye For Film
4.5
Its an intelligent and affecting film that may not roar, but leaves us with smatterings of hope and despair.
2.0
Unless he doesnt realize that, which would sort of make it even more awesome.
Movies
2.5
Fortunately for , Lions for Lambs is a less ham handed effort than Sayles Silver City, but its a near thing.
Flim Threet
2.0
Its too pious to be entertaining, too polite to be convincing and, like a weapon of mass destruction, takes a lot longer to deploy than 45 minutes.
Bbc
5.0
If I want wry lawmen and smart, calculating fugitives, Ill get them from Elmore Leonard; and, if I want Leonard, Ill take him neat, rather than slow f ..
New Yorker
1.9
The films points are made obvious the first minute and then monotonously drilled ad nauseum the remaining 87.
Mr Brown Movies
2.5
Lions for Lambs will not change anything. It probably wont even put a dent in the the U.S.s consciousness. Regrettably, its more of the same with only ..
The Movie Boy
1.0
Rather than reasoned thought and debate, the only thing this movie inspires is exasperation.
Las Vegas Weekly
2.0
A real mixed bag, then, destined to be remembered more for its indulgent use of three Hollywood heavyweights than its call to action against a war mon ..
Total Film
2.5
Actress Jameela Jamil uses drama over Kim Kardashians maternity shapewear to remind us to second guess everything tabloids write about women.
Calendar Live
3.0
Not surprisingly, the Redford segment is the best. His character, who hopes to save America one slacker at a time, rings true; and his real life convi ..
Seattle Pi
1.5
Im not sure why Producer director Robert Redford and writer Matthew Carnahan thought this was cinematic, but they were wrong.
Tony Medley
2.5
While the most overtly political film of the directors career, this one feels more like a didactic college political science sermon more than it does ..
Movie Freak
3.5
Either way, neither movie is a good way to spend a couple hours escaping the real world if thats what youre looking for.
4.5
The movies inadequacies exemplify the chief problem it diagnoses our societys reluctance to allot sufficient time for crucial issues to be defined and ..
Boxoffice Magazine
3.0
Good performances from Redford, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise are wasted in whats basically a dorm room debate with a couple of action scenes.
E Online
1.0
a more appropriate title for Lions for Lambs could be Lamenting for Liberals.
Film School Rejects
4.5
After Rendition, The Kingdom and Babel skirted around the issue, here, at last, is a film brave enough to question the whys and wherefores of the War ..
Mirror
2.0
I had the inescapable feeling that this film ought to come with a warning that it has a lot in common with a NASA wind tunnel.
Varia Gate
1.9
No photos, no televised interviews, no beaming face on television screens everywhere; instead, nothing but your words, as scribbled down in shorthand ..
Christianity Today
4.5
Tom Cruise does a creepy politician with an evil eye on the White House. Look out, Giuliani!
News Blaze
1.3
Pontificating aplenty in Robert Redfords preachy anti war polemic.
News Blaze
2.0
a flat work that feels more like a series of actors exercises than the incisive movie it wants to be
Killer Movie Reviews
1.9
It doesnt make it more compelling or interesting just because Tom Cruise is prettier than Bill OReilly.
Waffle Movies
1.5
Carnahans script is thoughtful, but its ideal venue may be a college debate class, not your local multiplex.
News Week
2.0
Theres a message behind Lions for Lambs, Robert Redfords latest outing as a director. And my goodness dont we know it by the end of a 94 minute hector ..
Entertainment Times Online ..
3.1
Only the fearless would load it up with adamant speechifying critical of the war on terror, the American media and the sodden trudge of 21st century m ..
Chron
4.5
Its an unironic work that demands the audiences attention and should provoke a personal, even physical, response from each individual.
Film Guardian
1.0
Pure fence sitting liberal agony is all thats on offer here, in a muddled and pompous film about Americas war on terror.
Film Guardian
3.5
Lions for Lambs provides a more robust debate about the wars were in and may soon be in (in regard to Iran, the movie feels like it was written yester ..
Or Lando Weekly
1.0
Yet action is in short supply, and the film as a whole manages to stand for nothing at..
Wsj
1.0
It should be a vital, potent, intriguing discussion; instead it is a drab conversation between a drab prof and a drabber student.
Tony Mack
3.0
Lions for Lambs is another entry into the rapidly increasing canon of contemporary politically driven films that asks a lot of questions but doesnt of ..
From The Balcony
2.0
Preachy, worthy and far too wordy, Lions For Lambs doesnt roar so much as bleat. Less a movie than a bungled party political broadcast on behalf on th ..
Film4
3.0
Jesus Christ, Redford, if you wanted to make a feature length cinematic editorial, why didnt you just go balls out and have done with it
Film Blather
2.0
Why arent these actors helping troops families or give injured solders jobs in movies so they can support their loved ones No matter what side of this ..
Review Express
4.5
Lions for Lambs, hits hard, hits home but doesnt quite hit it out of the park.
3.8
This is an unapologetically liberal film. Does it preach to the choir Absolutely. My own left leaning views being what they are, I liked it on those t ..
Aisle Seat
3.0
Not a lot of entertainment with this edification. Its thought provoking, but sos CNN.
TheMovieChicks.com
2.5
It attempts to conquer social, political and military all in the same film, but it doesnt knock any of them out of the park.
The Scorecard Review
1.5
It obviously wont rake in blockbuster dollars for talking, so thats its only shot.
Can Mag
4.5
In spite of the clunky package, the films message really is a good one.
Vulture
1.5
To borrow a song title from the more cinematically fortunate Johnny Cash, this one is a Ragged Old Flag.
IGN Movies
0.5
So youre saying its better to try and fail than do nothing asks Hayes.
Spectator
1.5
Its missing the movie part of being a movie. And so it sort of just sits there talking.
Detroit News
2.5
Lions for Lambs simply isnt fresh or courageous enough to make an impact let alone a difference.
Movies Ign
3.0
If the picture is talky and the dialogue sometimes stilted, thats a small price to pay for a drama that attacks the American publics diminishing sense ..
Compuserve
2.5
College kids dont enjoy being preached at; movie audiences generally dont either.
Seattle Times
2.5
It isnt terrible, but it also isnt nearly as strong as it might have been.
Parent Previews
0.5
In one desperate final attempt at shattering viewer complacency, the film dares to summon the ghost of.. Britney Spears!
Cine Passion
3.0
It doesnt tell us anything we havent already known for years; America is screwed.
Film Critic 1963 Typepad
2.5
Its almost impossible to conceive of the movie reaching an audience that needs it most.
Metromix.com
2.5
A story about how some politicians and journalists cant be completely trusted should be filed away in the duh category.
Metromix.com
2.0
The new Robert Redford movie, Lions for Lambs, is nothing if not nostalgic and well intentioned, and thats part of its problem.
Week In Rewind
2.5
Might be a useful tool for stimulating discussion in a high school classroom, as long as the class is studying civics and not cinema.
Commercial Appeal
2.5
... a relevant message unfortunately wrapped up in an oddly discordant, moderately self righteous package which is probably going to go right over the ..
Cinematical
3.0
This well meaning talkathon about the war on terror, contemporary politics, journalistic integrity, and civic engagement has enlightenment more than e ..
Reel Times: Reflections on ..
2.5
For all of its good intentions and clear eyed idealism, Lions for Lambs is not a movie, it is a political science lecture.
Brandon Fibbs
2.5
Sleuth is no longer a fun whodunnit; its been transformed into a baffling whatthehellweretheythinking
4.5
Screenwriter Matthew Michael Carnahan as a way with dialogue; the verbal confrontations between Malley and Todd and Janine and Irving are choice, and ..
San Diego Metropolitan
2.0
The absence of activists in the streets protesting the war in Iraq continues to confound; the empty seats at theaters showing Lions for Lambs will be ..
MSNBC
2.0
Lions for Lambs reminds us of what Hollywood does best, when it wants to.
Projection Booth Blog Spot ..
2.5
Slowly, you suffer the creeping realization that nothing is going to happen. Nothing.
Reelz Channel
2.0
Through sheer force of star power, Cruise manages to temporarily hijack this lumpy lecture, and turn it into a battle cry against the corporate media ..
Blog Spout
2.0
If Hollywood is going to insist on broadcasting calls for the world to wake up and smell the coffee, its time to stop strangling them with the Stars a ..
Sky Cinema
2.0
Liberal Hollywood sends its big guns into the war on terror and winds up in a dreadful mess.
Independent (UK)
1.5
Redford may be well intentioned, but Lions For Lambs comes across as a toothless primer for water cooler conversation rather than a potent, political ..
4.5
It means to use the Cruise Redford Streep star power to get us talking about things we ought to be talking about.
2.0
Redford is to be commended for making a film that dares to navigate the theater of ideas, despite its flaws.
Spectrum (St. George, Utah ..
3.5
An openly and specifically political, intelligent and refined call against apathy.
See Where to Watch
Lions for Lambs