White Squall
Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: February 2, 1996 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
53
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 21 Critic Reviews
Positive:
8
Mixed:
10
Negative:
3
Watch Now
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
EmpireKim Newman
A curiously compulsive drama that for all its inevitable Dead Sailors’ Society trappings is still highly entertaining. Read full review
50
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
The psychology of the story is shallow, but the action scenes pack a good visual punch. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesJack Mathews
The 20 or so minutes we spend with the Albatross in the squall is high adventure, to be sure. Everything else is ballast. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChroniclePeter Stack
As a coming-of-age melodrama and high seas adventure, White Squall is fair. Read full review
50
The New York TimesJanet Maslin
Despite great scenery, the distinctive visual ideas of Mr. Scott ("Alien," "Blade Runner") and the strong dramatic presence of Mr. Bridges, most of White Squall remains listless and tame. Read full review
50
VarietyBrian Lowry
Director Ridley Scott's lavish production isn't totally satisfying, coasting aimlessly at times before suddenly leaping to a more intense dramatic plane. Read full review
50
Portland OregonianShawn Levy
Stunningly photographed, acted with occasional bravura and structured with exacting precision, it fails to sing more than once or twice, and then only briefly. [2 Feb 1996]
50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
The shipwreck comes too late to rescue movie from endless banalities. [02 Feb 1996]
40
Village VoiceGeorgia Brown
Despite a rousing fourth act (out of five), this disappointing adventure movie plays more like: "Dead Poets Goes to Sea." [06 Feb 1996]
40
Washington PostKevin McManus
Todd Robinson's script, alas, drags White Squall down. As directed by Ridley Scott, with a surplus of intrusive music and some manic overacting, the movie dips into cliches. [02 Feb 1996]
More From This Movie

53 Critic Reviews

6.2 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 71 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL