Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B
  • Network: Lifetime
  • Series Premiere Date: Nov 15, 2014
Metascore
32

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 7
  3. Negative: 4 out of 7

Critic Reviews

  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tim Stack
    Nov 21, 2014
    50
    Alexandra Shipp has the star's abs, but none of the charisma. [14/21 Nov 2014, p.116]
    All this critic's reviews
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Allison Keene
    Nov 18, 2014
    50
    Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B simmers along pleasantly, but never finds its fire.
  3. The Wrap
    Reviewed by: Mekeisha Madden Toby
    Nov 18, 2014
    40
    Despite a handful of great performances, this small-screen drama is a forgettable, overly publicized splash in the pan unworthy of the woman it earnestly but clumsily attempts to honor.
  5. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Nov 18, 2014
    30
    There’s only so much to be done with such a thinly drawn portrait.
  6. Zap2it (Inside the Box)
    Reviewed by: Megan Vick
    Nov 18, 2014
    30
    There are random fast forwards to jump to the parts of Aaliyah's story Lifetime was able to secure the rights to tell rather than trying to portray an accurate timeline of her career. For fans of the late singer it feels egregious and for casual watchers it's disorienting and uncomfortable.
  7. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Jon Caramanica
    Nov 18, 2014
    20
    Much of the acting has dull edges, and the screenplay is aggravatingly stilted.
  8. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Joshua Alston
    Nov 18, 2014
    16
    Shipp’s performance is inoffensive, but no more than that, and what little of Aaliyah’s music makes it to the final film does so in the form of tinny covers that do Aaliyah’s musical legacy no favors.