Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns)
Cowboy Pictures | Release Date: May 23, 2003 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
64
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews
Positive:
12
Mixed:
7
Negative:
0

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan
A gift for those already in the fold, for those who get the joke and just want to savor it with other like-minded fans. Read full review
88
Chicago TribuneRobert K. Elder
Separate interviews with Flansburgh and Linnell inject the most life and gentle conflict into the film, peeling back their unique musical marriage and friendship. Read full review
80
Film ThreatEric Campos
Loaded with tons of personal stories told by both Johns (the two main members of They Might Be Giants) as well as people within the music industry. Read full review
80
Chicago ReaderCliff Doerksen
Fannish but intelligent chronicle of indie pop band They Might Be Giants. Read full review
80
Washington PostAnn Hornaday
An absorbing and inspiring portrait of two musicians whose unerring sense of what's right -- both artistically and ethically -- has not just held them in good stead but driven their particular brand of success. Read full review
80
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
Schnack's sprightly, engaging documentary Gigantic takes a leisurely stroll through TMBG's career, mixing energetic live performances with smartly chosen clips, a few quirky detours, and compelling interviews with the likes of Dave Eggers, Sarah Vowell, and Ira Glass. Read full review
75
New York PostMegan Lehmann
It's hard to go wrong with documentary subjects as articulate and intriguing as childhood friends John Flansburgh and John Linnell. Read full review
75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
Adoring, appropriately offbeat documentary. Read full review
70
The New York TimesStephen Holden
Gigantic has the informal tone and structure of an illustrated scrapbook with excerpts from concert and television performances interwoven with lighthearted testimonials by friends, supporters, collaborators and admirers and augmented by witty animated segments. Read full review
70
VarietyDennis Harvey
It's shiny, amusing, incessantly clever, but sometimes a tad too snarky for its own good. Read full review
70
Village VoiceJosh Goldfein
John and John, it cannot be denied, are charming, witty, adorable, and quite capable of rocking. Read full review
63
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
A fan's dream, A.J. Schnack's worshipful documentary about the musical duo They Might Be Giants does a nice job reflecting the thoughtful, quirky sensibility of its subjects' songs. Just don't expect to learn much about the guys themselves. Read full review
58
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
A unintentionally funny fanzine-flavored documentary. Read full review
58
Seattle Post-IntelligencerBill White
Forget "The Revenge of the Nerds." This is the real thing. Read full review
50
L.A. WeeklyPaul Malcolm
These live performances and classic music videos drive home the point that part of the Giants' longevity flows from the fact that they can't be explained, only experienced. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleJames Sullivan
A modest amusement. Read full review
50
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
Despite Schnack's half-hearted attempt to divide the film into chapters, his film is too unstructured to hold the interest of non-fans who might have appreciated a somewhat less hagiographic approach. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan
Not only does it feel like an exclusive party at which there is definitely no room for the uninitiated, its waves of idolization barely leave room for the band itself. Good as they are, They Might Be Giants deserve a better film. Read full review
40
Austin ChronicleMarrit Ingman
Will likely test the patience of all but the most devoted fans. Read full review
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