Hard Rain
Paramount Pictures | Release Date: January 16, 1998 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
36
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews
Positive:
1
Mixed:
9
Negative:
7
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
San Francisco ExaminerEdvins Beitiks
It's fast-moving, it's got fine special effects, the hero and heroine are pure and quick-thinking, the bad people die badly, and the script draws its fair share of laughs. Read full review
60
EmpireAndrew Collins
A rollicking cat-and-mouse thriller in bad weather. And no dog. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
A spectacular natural disaster spiraling out of control, a crime gone wrong and a poor jerk caught in the middle: Yes, it's a standard action-picture recipe. But what a difference a cast makes. Read full review
50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
The characters don't stay still long enough for the audience to worry about them. The high-priced actors (Freeman is especially wasted) are so much flotsam in the big water-tank action scenes. Read full review
50
The New York TimesLawrence Van Gelder
A well-cast disaster movie more notable for special effects and stunts than for credible drama. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
A stupid movie -- but a deliriously stupid movie, which gives it a certain grandeur. Read full review
50
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Salomon directed the silly but diverting action yarn, which benefits from the talents of Freeman, Quaid, Driver, and White. Read full review
50
VarietyTodd McCarthy
A waterlogged would-be thriller deep-sixed by its misguided notion of high concept. [12 January 1998, p. 63]
42
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
The film suggests Titanic in a giant wading pool. Read full review
40
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
A better disaster movie than it is a thriller. Read full review
38
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
It's not just about a disaster, it is a disaster. Read full review
30
L.A. WeeklyManohla Dargis
A nearly affectless Christian Slater, who carries a co-producing credit and seems to have lost his charisma along with his sneer, plays Tom, an armored-car guard who plays hide-and-seek with a gang of thieves, all of whom, outside of ringleader Jim (Morgan Freeman), are instantly forgettable. Read full review
30
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
This documentary-like realism, alas, only underlines the preposterousness of its plot with its torrent of contrived, credibility-defying cliffhangers. Read full review
30
Washington PostStephen Hunter
The movie's chief crime against the planet, other than the sheer wastage of time, is the trivializing of the great Freeman. This actor has such dignity and depth and humanity, he almost makes the film watchable. Read full review
25
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
One of those movies that never convince you its stories are really happening. Read full review
25
USA TodaySusan Wloszczyna
Washed away by drippy plot. [16 January 1998, p. 4D]
20
Austin ChronicleMarc Savlov
Tired and formulaic. Read full review
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