Knockaround Guys
New Line Cinema | Release Date: October 11, 2002 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
30
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 26 Critic Reviews
Positive:
1
Mixed:
10
Negative:
15
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
The movie crosses two formulas -- Fish Out of Water and Coming of Age -- fairly effectively. Because it isn't wall-to-wall action but actually bothers to develop its characters and take an interest in them, it was not at first considered commercial by its distributor, New Line, and languished on the shelf for two years. Read full review
50
New York Daily NewsJami Bernard
Nothing you haven't already seen elsewhere, except for Vin Diesel looking even then like a box-office champ. Read full review
50
Boston GlobeJanice Page
Likable performances are critically wounded by implausible scenarios and derivative-minded direction referencing everything from ''Reservoir Dogs'' to ''Fargo.'' Read full review
50
VarietyDavid Rooney
Young male auds should warm to its cool criminal ethos, sharp dialogue, charismatic cast and wry humor. Read full review
50
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
It has no twistiness or intrigue, and none of the juicy anthro-underworld detail that Koppelman and Levien brought to their screenplay for the tricky, enjoyable ''Rounders.'' Read full review
50
Miami HeraldGary Dowell
Not as bad a movie as it sounds, just mediocre. Read full review
50
Philadelphia InquirerSteven Rea
It has its moments of swaggering camaraderie, but more often just feels generic, derivative and done to death. Read full review
50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Rick Groen
A layabout movie -- not risibly bad, just relentlessly sub-par. Read full review
40
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
This high-concept gangster picture tries unsuccessfully to duplicate Reservoir Dogs's(1992) hair-raising high-wire balance between dark comedy and violent crime thriller, undermining some entertaining performances and the script's small virtues in the process. Read full review
40
Austin ChronicleMarjorie Baumgarten
Despite flashes of originality, is a formulaic quagmire that traps bits and pieces from all these genres without really satisfying any of their true aims. Read full review
40
The A.V. ClubScott Tobias
Knockaround Guys proceeds with a gravity that's constantly tripped up by its characters' stupidity. Read full review
38
New York PostMegan Lehmann
Any one episode of "The Sopranos" would send this ill-conceived folly to sleep with the fishes. Read full review
38
Baltimore SunChris Kaltenbach
Malkovich acts as if he's doing Shakespeare, pontificating, enunciating and generally overreaching.
38
Chicago TribuneLoren King
There's nothing original about the father-son conflict that forms the core of the film, nor is there enough suspense and drama. Read full review
33
Portland OregonianKim Morgan
It all makes you realize the importance of the guy who should have played Malkovich's role -- Christopher Walken. He makes films like this bearable.
30
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
Malkovich is severely miscast as a heartless and conniving thug admired by the hero (apparently Charles Grodin was busy), and Hopper, in a paper-thin role, barely registers. Read full review
30
L.A. WeeklyJohn Patterson
Koppelman and Lieven's toneless, generic direction style is slack, not slick, and they handle actors like livestock. Only John Malkovich, as Matty's psychotic uncle, retains his dignity. Read full review
30
Los Angeles TimesGene Seymour
Certainly, Malkovich's portrayal of mob lieutenant Teddy Deserve (!) and his lacquered swagger represent the only thing here that you haven't seen a hundred times before. Read full review
30
Rolling StonePeter Travers
Off the shelf after two years to capitalize on the popularity of Vin Diesel, Seth Green and Barry Pepper. It should have stayed there. Read full review
30
Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan
Will satisfy only those who can't tell the difference between the good, the bad and the ugly. Read full review
25
Charlotte ObserverLawrence Toppman
Totally underwhelming. Read full review
25
San Francisco ChronicleCarla Meyer
Lackluster mob picture. Read full review
25
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
The story is a string of sub-Scorsese clichés, and if engaging actors like Malkovich and Hopper seem to be sleepwalking through their roles, imagine how unwatchable Diesel manages to be. Read full review
20
The New York TimesLawrence Van Gelder
When it comes to father, sons and mob life, stick to "The Godfather." Read full review
10
Village VoiceEd Park
The only drama is in waiting to hear how John Malkovich's reedy consigliere will pronounce his next line. Read full review
10
SalonStephanie Zacharek
One of those strained caper movies that's hardly any fun to watch and begins to vaporize from your memory minutes after it ends. Read full review
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