The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
THINKFilm | Release Date: June 14, 2002 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
69
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Critic Reviews
Positive:
19
Mixed:
12
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
New Times (L.A.)Luke Y. Thompson
Give Care and McFarlane points for trying to do something innovative with the same old thing. But realize that, as spruced up as the facade may be, this movie is indeed still the same old thing.
60
SalonStephanie Zacharek
Undone by simply trying too hard. Read full review
60
SlateDavid Edelstein
The movie says that the rebellious spirit that generates art can also consume and destroy -- that there's no undangerous way to ride the tiger. Read full review
60
Chicago ReaderTed Shen
Coming-of-age drama is pretty familiar stuff. Read full review
60
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
Young costars carry the film, creating real characters from a generally flat script and Peter Care's largely undistinguished direction, both of which conspire to keep Altar Boys' danger at a distance. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
There are moments of wonderful insight, but while the booming, fully animated adventures of the Atomic Trinity (by "Spawn" creator Todd McFarlane) that Care intercuts with the live action at first seem a good idea, they ultimately upset the film's carefully established mood. Read full review
58
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
It's all way too heavy-handed, though nicely acted by Hirsch, Culkin, and, especially, Jena Malone. Read full review
58
Seattle Post-IntelligencerPaula Nechak
There are some nice ideas floating around this ambitious film, as well as attempts to say them in a unique way. Read full review
50
Miami HeraldRene Rodriguez
There are 10 minutes of animation in the film, and it could have used a few more: They have a spirited, inventive energy that the rest of this well-intentioned but awfully melodramatic movie lacks. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleCarla Meyer
A touching but odd mix of live action and animation. Read full review
50
Chicago TribuneRobert K. Elder
The director's lack of restraint and overabundance of ambition makes "Altar Boys" not boring, but troubled. Read full review
50
Charlotte ObserverLawrence Toppman
The dangers in the lives of these Catholic teens are self-made; they spring from small-town boredom and lead to a conclusion that's meant to be emotionally crushing but is only slightly affecting. Read full review
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