Metropolis
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) | Release Date: January 25, 2002 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
75
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews
Positive:
12
Mixed:
4
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
A wild elaboration. If you have never seen a Japanese anime, start here. If you love them, Metropolis proves you are right. Read full review
89
Austin ChronicleMarc Savlov
By the time the explosive finale arrives (with a wistful Ray Charles crooning over shots of cataclysmic destruction, no less), you'll be hard pressed to name a recent film with this much action, pathos, and smarts. Read full review
88
Boston GlobeJonathan Perry
Poetic, surreal, and curiously powerful.
88
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
May not have the most sophisticated narrative, but it is one of the most spectacular and masterly demonstrations of animation in screen history. Read full review
88
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
The story is compelling, but Metropolis is such a visual masterpiece, it's easy to get lost within its seemingly endless layers of graphic complexity. Read full review
83
Seattle Post-IntelligencerSean Axmaker
This is no Disney fable and the apocalyptic vision isn't for everyone, but science-fiction fans and adventurous filmgoers will find this ingenious explosion of retro-cyberpunk a compelling dystopian vision with a gleam of hope. Read full review
80
Film ThreatRon Wells
They should have produced this in 3D for IMAX as Metropolis is the kind of work destined to blow the minds of stoners everywhere. Read full review
80
L.A. WeeklyDavid Chute
This muscular anime melodrama is so visually splendid that on that level alone it qualifies as a breakthrough. Read full review
80
The A.V. ClubTasha Robinson
Technologically, the film is impressive, and it readily overwhelms the senses with frenetic computer-generated activity, an apocalyptic grand finale, and a bombastic jazz score. But unlike its classic predecessor, it doesn't leave much in its wake but ringing ears and unanswered questions. Read full review
80
New Times (L.A.)Luke Y. Thompson
Roll with any stylistic difficulties you might initially have, and prepare to be awed. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
Superior animated film from Japan. Read full review
75
Chicago TribuneMichael Wilmington
Here is a film of staggering technical and visual virtuosity, filled with utterly amazing images, that's also entertaining and engaging for children and adults on several levels. Read full review
60
The New York TimesDana Stevens
A hallucinatory tour de force of color, perspective and scale, virtually encapsulates the history of Japanese animation. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
The look is utterly faithful to Tezuka's aesthetic -- he loved classic Disney animation, especially "Bambi" (1942) -- but it's hard to empathize with the angst of a character who looks like a Super Mario Brother. Read full review
50
New York PostStaff (Not credited)
The dialogue is dubbed into English by generic actors, whose phony, emotionless rendition undermines what's on the screen. Read full review
50
Village VoiceMichael Atkinson
Metropolis is "A.I." without tears. Read full review
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