The Giver

  • U (INDIA)
  • 2014


MOVIE IS powerful divergent engaging entertaining
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41 %
35 % Rotten
$ 66 Million
See Where to Watch The Giver
Positive Reviews 45
Negative reviews 52
Average Rating 2.6/5
powerful divergent engaging entertaining

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  • Positive
  • Negative
2.0
In twisting The Giver to resemble a more modern class of YA bestseller, the filmmakers risk stripping it of its individuality. Av Club
2.0
In any case, it falls apart with a slapdash final act that doesnt work as drama or action and only serves to undermine Jonass heroics. EW
2.5
Not surprisingly, the lines added remove it from the moody ambiguous statement of hope that it is in the book, and turn it into a complete platitude.W .. Rogerebert
3.0
This is an adaptation worth seeing, particularly for the conversations you can have once the credits roll. Common Sense Media
2.0
A longtime passion project for producer/star Jeff Bridges, The Giver reaches the screen in a version that captures the essence of Lowrys affecting all .. Variety
2.5
The Giver tries to ape the blockbuster thrills of its competitors, but winds up bordering on B movie camp, thanks to action scenes involving bicycle c .. We Got This Covered
2.0
This adaptation of Lois Lowrys multimillion selling childrens future fantasy novel might just have got away with its dopey dystopian shtick when Jeff .. The Guardian
3.0
It makes for one of this overcrowded fields stronger entries, refusing to redact entirely the baby slaying weirdness that permits Lois Lowrys source n .. The Guardian
3.0
Theres enough thats fundamentally good in the meat of film not to wholly reject what The Giver is giving us. The Guardian
1.9
Despite the hyper visual elements of its story, The Giver resists cinematic translation, or rather, it resists commercial cinematic translation.
3.8
Far less noisy and graphically violent than those films, this mournful coming of age tale feels like their more subdued and introspective older siblin ..
1.5
If one labors to block out the unfolding inanity, theres plenty to get lost in on this level. Screen Daily
3.0
Bridges and Streep stand out but the others are somewhat unconvincing. ETimes (TOI)
2.0
But its ultimate vision of humanity itself of all the things that this world is missing is a crushingly generic one. Vulture
3.5
The presence of Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep in supporting roles will help draw some attention from grown ups who dont know the book, but while the f .. The Hollywood Reporter
3.0
The Givers dystopic society is a manmade invention born of good intentions.
1.0
Credit David Bloomer/Weinstein Company In the end, it taketh your time, patience and faith in newly imagined dystopias more than it giveth. The New York Times
1.9
Not if you define something there as anything resembling a good movie. Paste Magazine
3.5
As a result, the movie functions on its own and is more focused as a result. IGN
2.0
At first its engaging enough, presenting enough dilemmas for younger viewers to wrestle with: is it better to live a full life and risk death and disa .. Telegraph
3.8
The Giver takes a tortured individuals dilemma and turns it into societal question: If our emotions make us human, but our emotions keep leading us in .. San Francisco Chronicle
3.5
And those exercises arent quite as entertaining as The Giver ends up being in its finest moments. Cinema Blend
2.0
Jonas (Brenton Thwaites) is chosen to be the communitys new Receiver the one person allowed to have books, and the person designated to receive all th .. Ny Daily News
2.5
This is probably good, introductory dystopian sci fi for (very) young viewers, but otherwise this is one you can safely skip. JoBlo
2.5
Noyce establishes both an engaging world and aesthetic, but fails to populate either with fully realized characters or philosophical ideas. Screen Rant
2.5
In the process, the movie jettisons the eerie uncertainty of Lowrys novel, which ended where an adolescent story should at the edge of the unknown. The Globe And Mail
3.0
Bridges and Streep stand out but the others are somewhat unconvincing.
4.0
You cannot watch this compelling story without asking spiritual questions about meaning, the emotions, memory and love. Spirituality And Practice
2.0
The formula has grown very stale, particularly in this surprisingly tepid telling. Its not even worthy of re gifting; just return for a refund. One Guys Opinion
3.1
As adaptations of Young Adult sci fi go, it holds its own against the many successes of this Teens Save the Future genre. Rogers Movie Nation
3.8
This is a thoughtful motion picture with strong acting, a powerful visual approach, and well developed themes. ReelViews
2.0
The screenplay is stiff and literal, while direction from Philip Noyce is confused, unable to conquer genuinely poor acting and make sense out of this .. Blu Ray
1.0
A winner of the Newbery Medal, Lois Lowrys novel The Giver (1993) prefigured such publishing juggernauts as The Hunger Games and Divergent with its st .. Chicago Reader
2.5
We deserve much more thoughtful examinations of dystopias than this. Mark Reviews Movies
2.0
In place of war, civil strife and starvation, the Elders decree that differences of the past be forgotten and replaced with sameness.
2.5
The movies weakest segment is an extended action climax that turns this potent allegory and its open ended denouement into a generic action thriller, .. Usa Today
2.5
Rabbit Proof Fence contains what is undeniably a fascinating story, but the film never manages to express that extreme feeling of risk that the real l .. Reel Film Reviews
2.0
Bridges and Streep are OK, but Thwaites is a bland lead, and embroiled in an undercooked love affair that wont cut much mustard with teen film fans wh .. Radio Times
4.5
Considering the success of The Hunger Games and others of that young adult literature ilk, its no surprise that this work is finally getting its due w .. Screen It
2.0
The locals wear jumpsuits and ride about on silly white bikes, monitored by surveillance cameras. Independent
1.9
Thats no way to carry a philosophical message to young adults.But what is Rolling Stone
2.0
The Nature of Imitation is the sound of Dorian Concept systematically deconstructing various genres, stripping them back to the bones underneath and t .. Pop Matters
2.0
Its not long before Jonas realizes that a life without true feeling is pretty drab. Cs Monitor
3.1
The unsuitable are largely incubator raised babies and old people, and this plot point seems easy Tea Party fodder. New York Post
4.0
The good news is that The Giver is an assuredly directed, stylistically adventurous parable that does a surprisingly moving job of celebrating the man .. Film Journal International ..
5.0
The Giver is the kind of movie that can inspire you and drive you crazy at the same time.It delivers a powerful message about the value of free will a .. Deseret News (Salt Lake Ci ..
2.0
This isnt a terrible movie. It just falls flat, in almost every way. It exists and not much else. Az Central
3.0
Its a scenario that has been developed in slightly different directions by the likes of The Hunger Games and Divergent, and it even has a scene remini .. Smh
3.0
Were going to be hit by a nuclear winter, an alien invasion or a comprehensively efficient natural disaster and the survivors will have to make the be .. Smh
3.5
But this brisk, deftly art directed parable is basically unspoilable. Npr
2.5
It takes about two milliseconds to realize the utopia created by The Elders following the Ruin would appeal to only most dull witted white supremacist .. Toronto Star
2.0
So the initial setup for the story is engaging enough, but Noyce and cinematographer Ross Emery have shot the whole thing in generic digital fake blac .. Salon
2.0
Its a bold move, but once the colour returns to the picture, The Giver doesnt spring to life, despite good work from Bridges and Streeps hissable vill .. Flim List
4.0
With consummate skill, director Phillip Noyce orchestrates all the complexities of the tale and its parallels with the state of the world, blending to ..
0.0
(Note to reader: here come all the dumb spoilers, so if you dont want this dumb movies dumb secrets spilled then quit your dumb reading starting now.) .. Movies
2.0
The Hunger Games, Divergent, The Rover, Snowpiercer, now The Giver All this dystopia has given me dyspepsia. Boston Herald
2.5
Its not a lousy experience.Taylor Swift shows up in a glorified cameo. Chicago Tribune
2.5
The sequences between the hero and the Giver are easily the films most interesting they dramatize the birth of awareness even if Bridges pushes his ch .. Boston Globe
2.0
Cinema is typically a very good medium for the expression of visual emotion, so its beyond odd that we dont end up feeling very much here. Flickfilosopher
3.0
For all that, The Giver is a solid, soft sci fi entertainment with plenty of talented folks attached. The Irish Times
2.0
Aussie actor Brenton Thwaites gives a capable enough performance but never manages to draw us ina crucial problem the movie never solves. Blogs Indie Wire
3.0
As far as YA films go, its not breaking any new ground but neither should it be criticized too harshly for its simplicity. Blogs Indie Wire
2.5
Journeyman director Phillip Noyce, whos made everything from action blockbusters to social realist dramas to campy B movies, moves the story along smo .. Las Vegas Weekly
2.0
Get 50% off this NOW TV Smart Box with 4K HDR *and* 3 entertainment passes in the Black Friday sale Deals This NOW TV Smart Box is jam packed with the .. Total Film
2.0
The scenes with Jonas and The Giver should be the most powerful, but it ends up the most risible. The Atlantic
2.8
The Bottom Line: Its hard to get excited about a movie based around such a bland premise that never ventures too far beyond the most obvious and expec ..
2.5
This oral tradition makes for the films most interesting sequences, mostly due to the quirky presence of Bridges. Groucho Reviews
2.5
But despite the visual flourishes and a few moments of genuine discomfort, this is a bare bones version of a story weve seen all too many times, with .. Forbes
2.5
The Giver is a story about bad people who have tried to make things too good, who have tried to turn life comfortable and easy and, in so doing, have .. Nj
4.0
Overall this is a bold and astute coming of age story with much to recommend it. Hey U Guys
2.0
The Hunger Games and Divergent owe much to Lowrys worldview and style while lacking her depth. Oregon Live
2.5
While entertaining, its a shame that The Giver, after so many years in production and with a story about the importance of individuality, would fall i .. Movies Tv Guide
2.0
The story picks up several generations after humanity has done something so awful that our descendants have wiped it from memory. La Weekly
3.0
It may not have the visceral impact of some of its YA peers, but this is serviceable sci fi about love, identity and responsibility. Digital Spy
1.9
*1/2 (out of four) For anyone who didnt read Lois Lowrys novel The Giver in junior high (that includes me), the big screen adaptation will make you mu .. Red Eye Chicago
3.8
There is also an ultimate warmth to the tale, a propensity for goodness in the shadow of seeming hopelessness. Dustin Put Man
2.0
Statues could have provided the same level of emotional heft that this cast creates. Film Racket
2.0
The film isnt a complete wash.It has a polished, mature look, in a way few films of its genre do. Vanity Fair
3.0
The film adaptation of Lois Lowrys beloved novel is badly written, poorly acted and just plain dull.It may be called The Giver, but the film adaptatio .. Patriot Ledger
3.8
1 of 5 View Caption This image released by The Weinstein Company shows Meryl Streep, left, and Jeff Bridges in a scene from The Giver. Sltrib
1.5
Meanwhile, Streep offers a cold and frigid portrayal of the Chief Elder, which doesnt call for much, but is suitable for the part. Ign
2.0
It doesnt have the freshness that you might expect given its key themes were covered already in Divergent and the earlier Hunger Games films.Its a cas .. The Film Pie
3.1
The filmmakers definitely get the visuals right across the board. Things go wrong elsewhere, however. Js Online
1.0
What Hollywood movies do like is predictable uplift, marketably pat narratives, and mimicry of past successes. The Dissolve
2.5
The Giver Synopsis The haunting story of THE GIVER centers on Jonas (Brenton Thwaites), a young man who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, worl .. Movie Web
0.0
But for a movie about the importance of emotion, The Giver is surprisingly inert, and also clumsy about hitting its beats. Sandiego Reader
1.5
Leave that to its tedious pacing, lack of imagination, bland visuals, listless performances, and ability to vacuum seal out all intentional humor. Cinemix Tape
3.1
Noyce is a gifted director with a track record of engaging films, but the very emotions stolen from his characters excitement, fear, passion and joy a .. Daily Herald
3.8
The Giver is a well made movie that could have been a lot more entertaining, but also a lot less intelligent.Ill take it. Crave Online
2.0
Unfortunately, too much screen time is spent establishing rules (and roles) in The Giverat a little over 90 minutes, the films pacing feels wildly une .. Under The Radar Mag
3.0
Despite its anti authoritarian themes, this is a thoroughly corporate product. Movie Mezzanine
2.0
The film feels even shorter than that.Due to this action film momentum, much of the books central themes of humanity and love conquering all are entir .. Or Lando Weekly
4.5
The picture ends in a very weak tease for a sequel (there are four more Lowry novels to be exploited). reason
3.1
Its got a strong cast and solid production values along with the narrative problems these stories have but watching it now it seems like a television .. Scifi Movie Page
2.0
Judging by its 1994 Newbery Medal, its solid place on middle school reading lists and the testimony of its now grown readers, Lois Lowrys The Giver is .. Seven Day Svt
1.0
The destination page for the TinyURL you visited appears to have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable. Tiny Url
2.5
Finding a way to make the film feel different from its subject is a challenge. Cinema Sight
4.0
One of the joyous ideas of The Giver is that the protagonist doesnt need to battle his way to victory through violence and warfare. Johnhanlon Reviews
3.8
The picture stays true to the spirit of its acclaimed source material by maintaining its focus on what makes it special: its story of a young man lear .. Am Ny
2.5
This passing of memory should have been the defining element of the story and instead it lets it down on all counts. Graffiti With Punctuation
2.5
The Dude gives a wonderful performance as a bearded wise man full of regrets and, more important, the memories and feelings of humanitys past that thi .. Toledo Blade
2.0
Synopsis In this cautionary sci fi fable, Jonas (Maleficents Brenton Thwaites) lives in a literally monochrome world where colour, bad weather and any .. Sky
2.5
Though initially intriguing because of its clever, sometimes beautiful visuals and the details of its world, the familiarity of the film eventually we .. Impulse Gamer
1.5
Were sorry, but this web site contains enhanced features not supported by the browser version you are currently using. Richard Roeper
3.3
Even though The Giver doesnt feel as original as its source material deserves, its still a credible film that should rise above most of its competitio .. Schmoes Know
2.5
To the uninitiated, there are enough compelling ideas to come off as entertaining. Ut Sandiego
2.5
The very premise of the film is untenable and almost every detail is inane from both a scientific and narrative perspective. O Canada
2.0
You hope theyll bring the same elan to the all too earnest narrative. Oc Register
4.0
Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email Young adults impatient for the next instalment of The Hunger Games will find plenty to enjoy in thi .. Daily Record
2.0
It benefits from a talented cast and handsome cinematography, yet its initial concept never gets fleshed out, and the world it creates remains unfinis .. Charlotte Observer
2.0
It is director of photography Ross Emerys magnificent use of color and montage that elicits the most emotional response in the viewer. His slow introd .. Events Austin 360
1.0
The film gets full marks for not going overboard with special effects or explicit and extreme violence. Ncr Online
2.5
Theres a lot of potential here now I want to borrow my daughters copy of the book but the film feels as watered down and lifeless as the society it de .. Madison Movie
4.5
It is also why both adults and children should go see this fantastic film. Patheos
5.0
This astonishing retro footage is just one example of a film filled with such moments. Windy City Media Group
1.3
Its akin to the 90s film Pleasantville in that sense.This is the one way the audience can feel the rigidness of this society, its rules, and the way h .. Dcw50
2.0
In fact, this movie adaptation is so bland that it makes the chief inspiration for such young adult sci fi dystopias as The Hunger Games and Divergent .. Signature Reads
3.1
They will live up to the high expectations demonstrated by past teen performers who have gone on to excel in their continued musical education and per .. Hampt On Roads
1.5
The movie all but electroshocks itself at the slightest hint of a unique or exciting idea. Complex
3.1
For those coming to the film cold, The Giver may feel old hat ... For fans of , though, there will be more than enough here that is recognizable. Slj
4.0
For the good of all, memories are best forgotten and emotions suppressed. The Federalist



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