Fade to Black
Paramount Classics | Release Date: November 5, 2004 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
59
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews
Positive:
11
Mixed:
7
Negative:
2
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
Washington PostRichard Harrington
A spectacular concert documentary that also gives some fascinating insights into the making of "The Black Album." Read full review
83
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
The man has the right to retire, but what will he do with all the words in his head? Read full review
80
The New York TimesNed Martel
Even if the film could use some trimming, its hip-hop splendor proves hype-worthy. Read full review
75
Chicago TribuneAllison Benedikt
Whether a legend was born (or retired) that night at the Garden remains to be seen, but even on film, it was one killer show. Read full review
75
Miami HeraldEvelyn McDonnell
He'll be back; he's already back. But that doesn't mean the ''farewell'' wasn't worth it. Read full review
75
Philadelphia InquirerCarrie Rickey
It mostly is a triumph of stagecraft and speaker-blowing freestyling. Read full review
75
Boston GlobeWesley Morris
The film elects a storytelling manner that's scarily similar to the beginning of a lot of hip-hop thrillers. Read full review
70
Village VoiceLaura Sinagra
The film has a feel similar to his songs--airtight, forthright, never spat till they're set. Read full review
70
VarietyPhil Gallo
Smartly directed by Pat Paulson and Michael John Warren and nicely lensed. Read full review
70
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
Beyond offering a valuable look at Jay-Z's creative process, the behind-the-scenes material complements the concert footage, showing the work that allows Jay-Z to entertain tens of thousands of fans live. Read full review
63
New York Daily NewsRobert Dominguez
A loving tribute to one of the most important figures in hip hop. From Jay-Z to himself. Read full review
60
Dallas ObserverRobert Wilonsky
This Jay-Z documentary is too much of a good thing, really. Read full review
60
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
It's clear early on, however, that this is standard concert-film fare geared to the faithful. Read full review
60
Chicago ReaderPeter Margasak
Expect nothing but pure showbiz and you won't be disappointed. Read full review
50
L.A. WeeklyRobert Abele
Routinely assembled live document. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleJoshunda Sanders
No new moment in here for rap fans or anyone else. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterFrank Scheck
The film doesn't manage to achieve for hip-hop what the great rock concert films of the past have done for their musical genre. Read full review
40
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
While billed as "an intimate look" at Jay-Z, the film reveals next to nothing about him beyond the fact that he possesses a formidable ability to spin and remember lengthy rhymes, however vulgar and reductive their content. Read full review
38
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Leah McLaren
It's the perfect sort of movie to have playing on a television in the corner of a rec room during a low-key beer and pizza party. Read full review
25
New York PostLou Lumenick
This masturbatory exercise is the least revealing "documentary" since Jerry Seinfeld's "Comedian." Read full review
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