30 for 30: The American Gladiators Documentary
ESPN | Release Date: May 30, 2023
CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
70
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 4 Critic Reviews
Positive:
3
Mixed:
1
Negative:
0

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
DeciderScott HinesJul 3, 2023
Season 1 Review: There was nothing quite like American Gladiators in its prime, and The American Gladiators Documentary captures the magic, weirdness and spectacle of it all in an entertaining and nostalgic package. Read full review
80
Rolling StoneChris VognarJul 3, 2023
Season 1 Review: Director Benjamin Berman turns what was widely derided as barbaric spectacle into fodder for postmodern tragicomedy. This is a witty, mischievous, inventive but ultimately quite sad work, a worthy entry in ESPN’s enduring and consistently intelligent doc series. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterDaniel FienbergJul 3, 2023
Season 1 Review: Though I was never less than engaged with The American Gladiator Documentary at its three-plus-hour length, I wonder if I might have been more willing to embrace the approach if it had been 90 minutes without a destination instead. Read full review
60
Los Angeles TimesNoel MurrayJul 3, 2023
Season 1 Review: This second part — which includes dramatic re-creations of Carr’s unpublished memoir — is so much more engaging than Part 1 that it’s a shame viewers have to wait nearly 90 minutes to see it. Despite its flaws, threaded throughout this ungainly film is a dramatic and at times moving tale about people trying very hard not to be the villains in anyone’s hero narrative. Read full review
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