Lionsgate | Release Date: April 15, 2016
8.0
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 279 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
204
Mixed:
51
Negative:
24
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8
toastedalmondMay 4, 2016
Well made action/thrillers don't come along very often these days. Most of them are B-movies or predictable rehashings of heist/revenge plots that I got bored of in the 80's. I appreciated the expense, acting, and editing of Criminal. TheWell made action/thrillers don't come along very often these days. Most of them are B-movies or predictable rehashings of heist/revenge plots that I got bored of in the 80's. I appreciated the expense, acting, and editing of Criminal. The story was far fetched but something different (Ryan Reynold's other memory switching movie aside). I enjoyed it more than Heist, American Heist, Takers, The Score, and most every movie of that formula since Heat set the bar. Critics were eager to trash it. The premise is unrealistic and the ending kind of funny but it was well made.

SPOILER: I would definitely watch a sequel in which the protagonist works for Gary Oldman on missions while struggling with the residual wildness of his host brain. And even better, watching his wife and daughter get used to life with a husband/father who is older than their dad/grandpa. Sounds amusing and entertaining.
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22 of 22 users found this helpful220
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8
Tony1984Jan 30, 2018
This is probably the best I've ever seen Costner act. He really puts his heart and soul into this movie and it shows. Don't understand the critics disdain for it? Sure it's ludicrous but entertainingly so. The action is brilliant, theThis is probably the best I've ever seen Costner act. He really puts his heart and soul into this movie and it shows. Don't understand the critics disdain for it? Sure it's ludicrous but entertainingly so. The action is brilliant, the violence is in your face without being gratuitous. The English locations work very well and there is oodles of Sci-Fi to keep us happy. Also the narrative is compelling. I'm over scoring this to counter the silliness of the critics..yet again... Expand
20 of 20 users found this helpful200
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10
Moby1682May 3, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Criminal has an intriguing concept of a dead man's memories being transferred into a living person.

A CIA agent is killed by a terrorist after he is on the run from them, Ryan Reynolds plays the agent and he is

effective although his screen time is very brief. The villain is played by the actor from Bad Boys 2 and Blow
where he also played the villain. Tommy Lee Jones is perfect as the doctor even though his role is minor.

Gary Oldman overacts in a few scenes by delivering comical dialogue instead of assertive dialogue. The
action is well shot and there is enough to keep you engrossed. Criminal is similar to movies like the Bourne

series and Self/less which is also a mind transference thriller but the twists are dissimilar. Kevin Costner
Costner delivers the most intriguing performance in the movie. He transformed himself into a criminal

for the role. His speech, actions, movements and criminal ideas all match how an unfeeling criminal
would behave. In the movie he suffered an accident at the hands of father. His father threw him through a

car window and that damaged the temporal lobe in his brain. In order for the procedure to work the memories
have to be implanted into a person with a damaged temporal lobe. Costner's Jericho is unfeeling because

of his brain injury but then he has emotions from Bill's memories in his brain. He feels exactly what Bill felt
towards his wife and daughter when he was alive. Gal Gadot from Batman Versus Superman also adds

to the movie and the cast acts well off of one another. The terrorist is after a man named the Dutchman.
The Dutchman has access to nuclear missiles and the terrorist wants control of those missiles.

Bill won't tell him where he is so he murders him. Once Jericho has his memories the terrorist wants him
so he can gain access to the missiles. The CIA were going to pay the Dutchman off so he wouldn't give

anyone access to the missiles. The ending of Criminal is perfect and very positive. This is Kevin Costner's wittiest, adrenalized performace since Mr. Brooks.
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54 of 58 users found this helpful544
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9
lghulmJun 25, 2016
For me personally this film represents one of the biggest discrepancies between a meteoritic score and my own personal opinion. I don't like crap films - this film was great. Good music, good acting, good script, good action and believableFor me personally this film represents one of the biggest discrepancies between a meteoritic score and my own personal opinion. I don't like crap films - this film was great. Good music, good acting, good script, good action and believable story (given the genre) 9/10. Expand
16 of 18 users found this helpful162
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9
JFTORTORELLAApr 15, 2016
The gruesome violence in the beginning caused me to close my eyes, and I was afraid I would be sorry I picked this movie, but my husband and I both enjoyed it immensely. The acting was superb, and the improbable plot captured and held myThe gruesome violence in the beginning caused me to close my eyes, and I was afraid I would be sorry I picked this movie, but my husband and I both enjoyed it immensely. The acting was superb, and the improbable plot captured and held my attention throughout. Costner really got into his character! Best of all, the ending was fantastic--very satisfying! Expand
18 of 45 users found this helpful1827
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8
smiyamotSep 24, 2016
Don't know why the critics didn't like this movie. Had a different story line, had professional and personal life story tie ins, okay, was kinda science fiction and the computer stuff a little low budget, and a few gaffs in the story line soDon't know why the critics didn't like this movie. Had a different story line, had professional and personal life story tie ins, okay, was kinda science fiction and the computer stuff a little low budget, and a few gaffs in the story line so it was not a "10" for me, but still a good movie. Spies (CIA), terrorists, killers, computer hackers, maybe the critics thought the story line was just too complicated and unbelievable. Expand
5 of 5 users found this helpful50
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8
ReceptacleJun 22, 2021
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4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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8
Parasol92Aug 11, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of the best films about crime & life.₩

I am amazed. Watched this movie a while back, and decided to do a rewatch on larger screen, and experience is exactly the same. Is this the best or perfect movie? No! But maybe best movie about crime and life together. When I say life I mean soul, emotions, humanity. There is all: from being wounded to being in love, from betrayal to having courage. All in authentic, 1st person experience, with all scientific details. Liked the stunts and technology too. Bit more amateur and typical than some best movies but still very good. Looks real. Similar bit to Prison Break, Jason Bourne, CSI, Replicas. Story is bit amateur and unrealistic, showing hacker and government making amateur mistakes, as if they are not trained, too unreal. But topic is the best. It shows possible use of science to turn bad into good, to exploit bad things so they become useful. End is the best, very positive and emotional.
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4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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8
Castor600Sep 18, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Another underrated piece of art

I need to write 10 lines or more if i want this review to be published in this page, but i don't need to, this movie don't need that. I don't know why this movie have this bad rating and critics. I like the plot, the characters are amazing, the story line was good and Kevin Costner maybe with the greatest performance of his career. Right now we live in a world of copycats and directors and producers trying to make a movie of a movie of a movie, this movie make me have hope in better movies whit interesting plots in a future. The only think I don't like about this movie was the title. I have the feeling that this movie will be appreciated by many people in 10 or 15 years. If you're one of these guys that thinks that the ratings by the users on IMDb are always right, take a leap of faith and watch this masterpiece. You don't be disappointed.
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2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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8
MLRJan 30, 2022
Never a dull moment... this was almost a modern retelling of Frankenstein, with a great twist. I really enjoyed this film, even though I am an actual neuroscientist.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
AbolishAug 22, 2021
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
Abbatoir89Sep 4, 2021
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
Bogyophobic34Sep 11, 2021
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
Celestial91Sep 15, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Popcorn rating 4 of 5

I believe so many opinions have polluted the idea of what a film is or should be and always aim to be so much more than just some person thinking they can tell a story people will enjoy.. this I believe is/was intending to be nothing more than a popcorn entertaining flick. This was a great rainy day mid-afternoon Sunday matinée. Sci-fi adventure action - disregarding the plot and holes all over the place - it was a fun ride. I am among those that like Costner and he appears to have had fun making and playing this new character. I am 100% certain once was enough - but it was $5.75 that I was not disappointed to exchange for 1hr 30 min film. bonus - the young Emma was just an adorable character. I will tell folks - I enjoyed it.
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
SextetSep 16, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Absolutely Superb

I came across "Criminal" by coincidence as I was browsing through movies on the plane. I chose this film because I was getting sick of Superhero films and wanted to watch anything without DC and Marvel characters. I saw that this movie had a good cast so I gave it a shot.

Lets say that I enjoyed this movie so much that I watched it again on the proper screen after my flight for a better experience.
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
Kiosk80Sep 17, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A criminal is implanted with the memory of a dead CIA agent in hopes of stopping an imminent nuclear attack.

This movie feels like a Bourne movie without Matt Damon and his martial arts. The intrigue and the gritty action makes it feel like it takes place in a Bourne movie-verse. It helps that there is a lot of talented cast. Kevin Costner was excellent despite my initial doubts. Tommy Lee Jones played a convincing doctor who cares about his patient. However, there is not much for Gary Oldman. He is basically Commissioner Gordon with more dialogue and running. A brief appearance by Ryan Reynolds also helped drive the plot a lot. His nice-guy character helped set the tone for Costner's character development during the movie. In fact, Kevin Costner carries the movie effortlessly. He is both menacing, and sensitive. His combination of brutality, and sensitivity makes him a close parallel to Damon's Jason Bourne and gives a certain freshness to the spy genre. Yet, it is too bad Scott Adkins did not get to do much. He is the reason I wanted to see the movie in the first place. But I think if he does his martial arts in the movie, it would detract too much from the story. However, he does have quite a presence in the movie. You always feel that this guy has something in him, and he is so serious. In short, criminal is a surprisingly good movie and its strength lies on its focus on the characters, and what drives them; especially Kevin Costner's character.
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
Momentum78Mar 14, 2022
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
Shroud189Jun 27, 2021
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8 of 9 users found this helpful81
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10
jaypitsch00Jul 30, 2016
This movie was way better than the critics are saying! I don't know what movie they are watching but it's definitely not the one I just watched. After the movie was over I literally jumped online to see if there was going to be a CriminalThis movie was way better than the critics are saying! I don't know what movie they are watching but it's definitely not the one I just watched. After the movie was over I literally jumped online to see if there was going to be a Criminal 2, that's how much I liked it. And that's when I saw that it didn't do so well in theaters and it's probably cause of these stupid critic's telling people not to go watch it. That's why I NEVER even look at the critics scores or what they are saying about a movie, cause they are all crap! The ONLY reason that I'm writing a review on this one is to get the ratings up, hoping that they do a sequel. I know that probably won't happen, but at least I tried. I think Kevin Costner was great in this film. He played that role perfectly, and he made me laugh several times. They should really make a Criminal 2..... Expand
7 of 8 users found this helpful71
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7
AestosJun 14, 2016
Interesting idea. I couldn't say exactly why, but I felt like a little something was missing. It was a solid movie, well acted with an interesting script. The plot, once you understand what is happening, feels predictable unfortunately butInteresting idea. I couldn't say exactly why, but I felt like a little something was missing. It was a solid movie, well acted with an interesting script. The plot, once you understand what is happening, feels predictable unfortunately but the outcome manages to feel worthwhile. For what it is trying to be, a thriller, it does well.

Worth a watch.
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5 of 7 users found this helpful52
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7
AWESOM-0Mar 20, 2020
Not a bad movie, it was enjoyable. The cast is pretty amazing and their performances are pretty good.
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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8
Libation70Aug 6, 2021
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2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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7
Tss5078May 9, 2016
Twenty years ago, a similar film called Face Off debuted, and while the story seemed ridiculous, somehow it worked. Criminal is in the same boat, as audiences have been kept away by the complicated plot, which also seems to work quite well.Twenty years ago, a similar film called Face Off debuted, and while the story seemed ridiculous, somehow it worked. Criminal is in the same boat, as audiences have been kept away by the complicated plot, which also seems to work quite well. The film starts with the brutal murder of a CIA agent, who has a secret vital to national security in his head. Out of desperation, the CIA turns to a doctor and an experimental procedure, which will allow the agents memories to be transferred into someone else's mind. The only problem is that the procedure requires a certain type of mind, the mind of a psychopath. Against his will, Jericho Stewart (Kevin Costner) is transferred to CIA headwaters and given the agents memories, but will he become the good agent and help save the world, or will he return to his murderous ways? Kevin Costner stars and reminds us all of what a terrific actor he truly is. It's hard to remember, considering that for the passed two decades he's done mostly romantic garbage, that you couldn't pay me to sit through. Costner returns to action as if he'd never been gone and does an amazing job playing this deeply conflicted, flawed man. Paired with an all-star cast, that features a ton of cameos, Criminal never slows down and will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time. It's not really the CIA crisis or the science fiction that keeps your interest throughout, it's the conflict growing in Jericho Stewart's brain, as he has essential turned into a person that is both good and evil. Yes, the story is a bit complicated, but it is fairly easy to follow, and Kevin Costner gives his best performance in at least a decade, making Criminal well worth the price of admission. Expand
5 of 8 users found this helpful53
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10
kilihariMay 21, 2016
There is a reason why the "professional" reviews are so low and the userscore is so high. Watched this movie and I honestly got emotional, never happens to me. This movis is 10/10 without a doubt. The only stupid thing is the chose a poorThere is a reason why the "professional" reviews are so low and the userscore is so high. Watched this movie and I honestly got emotional, never happens to me. This movis is 10/10 without a doubt. The only stupid thing is the chose a poor "bad hacker" actor. That is all. This is Kevin Costner's best movie since Dances with Wolves, without a doubt.

By the way, I feel so strongly about what I just said that this is my first review ever.
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8 of 13 users found this helpful85
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8
Stagger74Jul 11, 2021
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1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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8
Acquit77Jul 17, 2021
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1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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9
Pluto744Jun 21, 2021
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2 of 6 users found this helpful24
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9
ClepsydraApr 16, 2022
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0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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8
ClairvoyanceOct 7, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Interesting plot, good cast, entertaining movie.

In this genre Criminal is an entertaining movie with a very good cast. Ryan Reynolds doesn't have a big part but for his limited screen time he did a good job. The movie mostly has to have it from Kevin Costner, that did what we are used of him by now, a good performance. I don't think I ever saw him acting badly. The rest of the cast all contributed to make Criminal an easy to follow action thriller with a touch of sci-fi. There are a couple cheesy moments, but not that important to ruin the movie. It's easy entertainment and sometimes that's just what we need.
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0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
MalletApr 25, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Criminal is similar to the bourne and spy action thrillers. The cast delivers, the plot is clever and there is plenty of exciting action scenes. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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