The Inventor
Blue Fox Entertainment | Release Date: September 15, 2023 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
66
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Critic Reviews
Positive:
7
Mixed:
3
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
83
Original-CinJohn KirkApr 23, 2024
While relying on some historical information, its inherent sweetness is the main reason for its success. Read full review
82
Paste MagazineTara Bennett Sep 14, 2023
Thankfully, 2023 continues to be a banner year for animation of all kinds, with The Inventor proving that its traditional techniques of animation—done with such skill, heart and passion—are just as timeless as the man who inspired their use here. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckSep 14, 2023
Despite its heavy-duty subject matter, the film co-directed by Capobianco and Pierre-Luc Granjon is filled with welcome humor of both the visual and verbal varieties. Read full review
78
Austin ChronicleRichard WhittakerSep 13, 2023
There's an undeniable boldness to Capobianco's decision to channel a biography through the medium of stop motion, but it's perfect for the untrammeled exuberance and boundless ingenuity of Da Vinci. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleG. Allen JohnsonSep 15, 2023
Oftentimes da Vinci is pleasantly lost in the cosmos of his mind, what Willy Wonka called “pure imagination.” The target audience of “The Inventor” will surely relate. Read full review
70
Film ThreatAlex SavelievSep 15, 2023
It’s charming in its own modest way (it ain’t Laika), but the simplistic character design is made up for with energy and creativity. Whether all the cadavers, complex inventions, existential musings, themes of progress and censorship, and politics will alienate the wee ones remains to be seen – but, again, at least it’s not pandering. The Inventor is charming and modest but also honest and true – a rarity these days. Hurry up and check it out before Gen Z cancels Leonardo for being a misogynist. Read full review
63
ObserverEmily ZemlerNov 28, 2023
Despite its protagonist, voiced by British actor Stephen Fry, the film feels oddly disjointed, as if there’s not enough story to sustain 90 minutes of beautifully-made stop-motion and hand-drawn animation. Read full review
60
The Observer (UK)Wendy IdeMar 10, 2024
Charming and informative as it is, the film may struggle to engage younger audiences accustomed to more overt comedy in their animated movies and less grave-robbing. Read full review
60
Wall Street JournalKyle SmithSep 14, 2023
The Inventor falls awkwardly between a kids’ movie and one for grown-ups. Read full review
50
The New York TimesLisa KennedySep 14, 2023
The Inventor is rife with somewhat didactic lessons — about power, innovation, curiosity — yet a presumably unintended one might be that lessons themselves, however insightful, are not always captivating. Read full review
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