Fat Albert
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: December 25, 2004 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
39
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 26 Critic Reviews
Positive:
1
Mixed:
17
Negative:
8
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
70
Washington PostDesson Thomson
Seems like a pretty cool movie -- at least, for a remake of a 1970s Saturday morning TV show. Read full review
60
Dallas ObserverMelissa Levine
The film is sweet and often genuinely funny, with lively musical numbers and a cast of entertaining personalities. Read full review
60
L.A. WeeklyChuck Wilson
A spirited re-creation of the series that once ruled Saturday mornings. Read full review
50
Chicago TribuneRobert K. Elder
Seems a little lightweight, even for a kids' movie. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterMichael Rechtshaffen
An awkward blend of live action and animation. Read full review
50
Village VoiceEd Park
The animated scenes conjure aromas of the stilted "Clifford," and the overall approach is to throw preordained movie sequences (rap number, shopping spree) together and hope for the best. Read full review
50
Miami HeraldPeter Debruge
Kenan Thompson may not look the part, but he's instantly likeable as Fat Albert. Read full review
50
Seattle Post-IntelligencerSean Axmaker
Fat Albert's originality is lost on the big screen. Read full review
50
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
I don't think Fat Albert is up to speed; in its meandering, low-key way, it seems destined more for a future on de-ved, returning to the video world where the characters say they feel more at home. Read full review
50
Boston GlobeWesley Morris
In the end, it's hard to see a real reason for the movie's existence. We already have Muppets. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesKevin Crust
Despite the tired premise, Kenan Thompson -- is actually very persuasive as Fat Albert. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleCarla Meyer
Confusing, mixing messages of self-empowerment with those of conformity. Read full review
50
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
The sermonizing on behalf of good clean fun and hard old effort (Cosby co-wrote the script) is as faded as Big Al's sweater after too many days on earth. Read full review
50
Charlotte ObserverLawrence Toppman
Except for a surreal moment when Fat Albert meets the real Bill Cosby, who tells his cartoon creation he must go back into the television, nothing inventive occurs. Read full review
40
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
While endearing as cartoons, they don't wear flesh well. Read full review
40
VarietyJoe Leydon
fFat-footed and ham-handed in its attempt to reconstitute a popular '70s TV cartoon show as a full-length, family-skewing feature. Read full review
40
The New York TimesManohla Dargis
In Fat Albert, that trademark is resurrected to depressingly diminished ends. Read full review
40
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
Weak comedy. Read full review
38
Philadelphia InquirerKaren Heller
Alas, this eternally sunny character's mantra, "I don't have a problem, I solve problems," makes for paltry dramatic tension. Read full review
38
Baltimore SunChris Kaltenbach
Kids, except for the very youngest, are going to be bored. Read full review
33
Portland OregonianM. E. Russell
Why did they think anyone would want to watch a Fat Albert adaptation that can't answer a simple question: "Who is this movie for?" Read full review
30
TV Guide MagazineAngel Cohn
Basic knowledge of the original series is mandatory, but the more familiar you are, the more glaring this movie's considerable deficiencies will seem. Read full review
25
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Leah McLaren
The result plays like an extended Pepsi commercial without the Pepsi. Read full review
25
New York Daily NewsRobert Dominguez
Somewhere in its quest to be educational, Fat Albert forgot to be entertaining. Read full review
25
New York PostLou Lumenick
Lumpy, preachy and soporific. Read full review
11
Austin ChronicleMarjorie Baumgarten
The movie is toothless and uninspired, and as directed by veteran filmmaker Joel Zwick (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), the film is a disgracefully shoddy affair. Read full review
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