Civil Brand
Lions Gate Films | Release Date: August 29, 2003 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
29
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews
Positive:
1
Mixed:
4
Negative:
8
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
A compelling, highly charged film that brings a contemporary perspective to classic prison picture elements. Read full review
60
VarietyWalter Dawkins
Film explores the abuses rampant in woman's prisons and the powerlessness of the inmates, while telling the uplifting story of one inmate, Frances (LisaRae). Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterSheri Linden
Although the film loses its way in the late going with a preponderance of melodramatic elements that dilute the more compelling social message, for much of its running time it packs a visceral punch, thanks in large part to a strong cast headed by LisaRaye, N'Bushe Wright and Mos Def. Read full review
40
L.A. WeeklyErnest Hardy
There are also strong flickers here of a film that might have been. Read full review
40
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
There's way too much of the usual bonding, beatings, petty humiliation by guards, cat fights in the yard and trips to the hole. Read full review
38
PremierePeter Debruge
There's no question that Civil Brand has an ambitious premise, but it feels boxed in by the standard prison-movie formula. Read full review
38
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
Exploitation shamelessly posing as empowerment, Neema Barnette's self-congratulatory drama about women in prison promises to reveal shocking truths. Read full review
30
The New York TimesDana Stevens
Before Civil Brand erupts into over-the-top melodrama (which is pretty early), it shows some interest in its characters, and in its less screechy moments the dialogue has the rough, bantering ring of actual speech. Read full review
30
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
Civil Brand's aesthetic is pure mid-'70s blaxploitation, and not in an ironic or reverent sense. Even the heavy-handed political rhetoric is in keeping with the neo-blaxploitation vibe, since even bad blaxploitation movies often had revolutionary undercurrents. Read full review
25
Chicago TribuneRobert K. Elder
Plagued by continuity problems, ham-fisted storytelling and a problematic voiceover by Da Brat, Civil Brand feels less like a prison movie than a prison sentence. Read full review
25
New York PostV.A. Musetto
The cast includes rappers Da Brat, Mos Def and MC Lyte. Their fans might get some pleasure from Civil Brand. Everybody else best stay away. Read full review
20
Village VoiceLaura Sinagra
Without a scorcher like Pam Grier, the sub-NYPD Blue dialogue and acting dilute what could have been a shrieking wake-up call about for-profit prisons. Read full review
20
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
Corrupt warden, sadistic guards, new inmate debauched by her surroundings, prison-break hostage drama--could have come straight from an old George Raft vehicle. Read full review
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