The Backyard
HIQI Media | Release Date: August 29, 2003 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
61
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews
Positive:
7
Mixed:
3
Negative:
2

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Film ThreatCharles Martin
In short, this is an x-treme documentary, as riveting as a road accident and a lot more bloody. That this film might give other young people ideas is something that keeps me (and probably director Hough) awake at night. Read full review
80
VarietyDennis Harvey
This underground scene makes other "extreme sports" look as harmless as tiddlywinks. Read full review
80
Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan
The movie is not for the squeamish, but for those who are unafraid to look at what is, perhaps, their own metaphorical "backyard," for those willing to stare into the long, dark night of the contemporary American soul, its bone-crunching message is worth hearing. Read full review
70
The A.V. ClubNoel Murray
Remarkable for the intensity of the interviewees, who show a new kind of all-American gumption in the way they filter the mannerisms of low-rung celebrities through their own geeked-out, violent imaginations. Read full review
70
The New York TimesDave Kehr
This stuff is much too strange and much too disturbing to be invented. Read full review
63
New York PostV.A. Musetto
The Backyard will affect you. If you were depressed about the future of America before, you'll be doubly depressed after seeing this film. Pass the Prozac. Read full review
63
Boston GlobeJanice Page
The most disturbing thing about this grass-roots-inspired extreme-wrestling documentary by Paul Hough is how much worse you expect the violence to be. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
Chances are you'll watch most of this documentary with both hands over your eyes, but as a window into a particular kind of insanity seizing kids in heartland America it's enthralling. Read full review
60
L.A. WeeklyChuck Wilson
Though engaging from beginning to end, be warned that this is also harrowing, utterly depressing stuff. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
What is going on here? Most would say a lot of incredibly dangerous and stupid activity, and most of the people in this documentary not surprisingly seem none too bright. Read full review
30
Village VoiceEd Halter
Though filled with violent smackdowns, slackjawed interviews, and bizarre characters, Hough's doc never rises above the level of first-year student project, hobbled by scattershot editing, badly written intertitles, and useless directorial voice-over. Read full review
25
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Eventually you realize the whole movie has been about young showoffs who think it's uproarious to gross out neighborhood grownups. Read full review
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