Dragonslayer
Drag City | Release Date: November 4, 2011 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
71
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Critic Reviews
Positive:
8
Mixed:
2
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
91
Entertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumNov 2, 2011
With its propulsive punk-rock soundtrack and beautifully rough cinematography, Dragonslayer makes you care about this scrawny young man, skating to nowhere. Read full review
91
IndieWireEric KohnNov 1, 2011
The measured vérité style of Frederick Wiseman meets the visual polish of Terrence Malick in Dragonslayer, a fascinating slice of crude Americana from first-time director Tristan Patterson. However, it stands alone with an infectious hard rock attitude. Read full review
80
Village VoiceKarina LongworthNov 1, 2011
Nothing like a traditional social-issue doc, Patterson's one-of-a-kind hybrid captures a socio-historical moment with the kind of charged authenticity that only comes from a willingness to embrace contradictions: It's discursive and hypnotic, laconic and urgent. Read full review
75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Stephen ColeDec 15, 2011
Dragonslayer documents what happened when California stopped dreaming. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChroniclePeter HartlaubNov 17, 2011
Patterson's verite style is bettered by the work of cinematographer Eric Koretz, who surrounds the bleak characters with beauty and color. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesStaff (Not credited)Nov 12, 2011
A youth culture backdropped by the crumbling edge of California is rendered with punk rock energy and grace. Read full review
70
VarietyRobert KoehlerNov 12, 2011
The film observes a guy verging on poverty or riches with a bounty of beautiful imagery and fresh angles on skateboarding culture. Read full review
70
The New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisNov 4, 2011
Seamlessly dovetailing style and subject, Dragonslayer, a poetic and affectionate portrait of the professional skateboarder Josh Sandoval. Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeNov 12, 2011
The portrait is dispiriting overall, inspiring little affection from viewers, but feels authentic and fair. Read full review
60
Time OutSam AdamsNov 1, 2011
Dragonslayer captures the aimless, ad hoc nature of this young man's life, leaving open the question of whether Sandoval is a free spirit or simply a leech. Read full review
12
Slant MagazineNick SchagerNov 7, 2011
Is Josh "Skreech" Sandoval the least deserving documentary subject ever? Read full review
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