Shooting Fish
Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: May 1, 1998 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
47
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews
Positive:
2
Mixed:
10
Negative:
2
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
70
VarietyDerek Elley
Though the script never makes a convincing case for the lads as '90s Robin Hoods, it's restlessly inventive, with a pleasant, rather than rib-cracking, humor and likable touch of naivete. Read full review
63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
At its best the movie is still innocent enough to slide past your guard, and inventive and lively enough to make the average Hollywood comedy seem to be on heavy tranquilizers. Read full review
60
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
Not as inspired or amusing as it might be, leans heavily on the considerable charm of its three young and attractive principals. Their charisma and the film's larky spirit, English locales and elaborate cons might be just enough to divert easily satisfied date-night audiences. Read full review
60
Film ThreatTom Meek
The leads are all likable, albeit two-dimensional, and the rompish surreal texture of the film, makes it stylishly hip and humorous, almost like an episode of "The Monkees." Read full review
60
The New YorkerBruce Diones
The film is paced like a breezy sixties romp and there are some good gags, but the plot's a bit creaky and lacks the clever zing of a good scam. Read full review
60
The A.V. ClubJoshua Klein
As a cute diversion, it's a pleasant, painless, wonderfully forgettable surprise. Read full review
58
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Wafer-thin, content-light, structure-wobbly, and whimsy-heavy. Read full review
50
The New York TimesStephen Holden
This aggressively whimsical fairy tale about a pair of grown-up orphans who rob from the rich to give to the poor (themselves!) and end up living happily ever after darts forward so quickly that several major plot turns are dispensed with in 10 or 15 seconds of babble. Read full review
50
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
The film is preposterous to the point of distraction, where the necessary level of suspension of disbelief exceeds the capacity of a normal, thinking person. Read full review
50
L.A. WeeklyPaul Malcolm
Shooting Fish wants to hang with the hip crowd--witness the vibrant colors, the flashy camera work and the stream of catchy pop songs--but its heart just isn't wild enough. Read full review
40
Austin ChronicleMarc Savlov
A predictable affair that nonetheless ingratiates itself into your good fortunes by sheer virtue of its amiable nuttiness. It's mindless fun while it lasts. Read full review
40
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
Leaking platitudes and cutesy ambience, this comedy folds a smarmy, social-issue subplot into a Saturday-morning-kids'-show sensibility; it's full of geeky gadgetry, and must've been a lot more fun to make than it is to watch. Read full review
30
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
Cloying, immature and relentlessly cute, this grating British comedy about two London con men is every bit as shameless as its heroes. Read full review
25
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
Aspires to the breezy esprit of a Richard Lester comedy from the '60s, but it's a deadly, leaden affair. Read full review
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