Rise

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 13, 2018
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
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Critic Reviews

  1. TVLine
    Reviewed by: Dave Nemetz
    Mar 12, 2018
    83
    Despite its flaws, Rise still delivers those goose bump-raising moments that Katims has been reliably serving up for years. Granted, it’s sappy and wears its heart fully on its sleeve… but who says that’s such a bad thing?
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Mar 12, 2018
    80
    It is predictable, sometimes down to individual lines; the title itself gives the arc away. But predictability is part of what makes musical theater tick; it delivers the thrill the crowd comes for, dramatic tension leading to inspirational release.
  3. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Mar 12, 2018
    75
    Rise doesn’t elevate to the heights of Friday Night Lights with either its storytelling or performances. But it’s heartfelt from start to finish while also offering an overall feel-good respite from television’s ongoing obsessions with “true crime” and all things Trump.
  5. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Jen Chaney
    Mar 13, 2018
    70
    But as much as its sensibility and focus may dovetail with FNL, Rise is a different show, one that is sensitive, full-to-bursting with heart, and well-acted, but also one whose characters don’t immediately pop in the same way that the residents of Dillon, Texas, did.
  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    Mar 12, 2018
    70
    For all its flaws--and Rise has a number of them--when these kids open their mouths to sing, the NBC drama is nearly irresistible.
  7. Salon
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    Mar 12, 2018
    70
    What Rise has going for it is an honesty that prevents it from falling into the traps in which “Glee” frequently became stuck. None of its musical interludes come off as flippant, contrived or even all that corny, and the social conflicts the kids become embroiled in have a realism to them.
  8. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Darren Franich
    Mar 13, 2018
    67
    Rise is sweet when it watches its teens put on a show. But it falls when it insists the real hero is the guy convincing them to be themselves.
  9. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Robert Rorke
    Mar 9, 2018
    63
    Rise could have used a bit more of “Glee’s” unabashed sunniness to cut the persistent gloom, but at least the cast is appealing.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 26
  3. Negative: 6 out of 26
  1. Ededed
    May 19, 2018
    6
    Worth a look. While it is a darker setting than other shows of its type, it plays honest and straightforward. The characters are predictableWorth a look. While it is a darker setting than other shows of its type, it plays honest and straightforward. The characters are predictable and in some cases stereotypical, but they did hold my interest throughout the pilot.

    Hope they don’t have to fight the school and the community each episode as that will get old quickly.

    Will watch again. If it stays interesting this might have some promise.

    Getting tired of the “we’re gonna be PC in your face!” attitude. Get to the show, already!

    This premise would have worked better in a two and a half hour movie. The pace was too slow when forced into a weekly episodic format and left it with nowhere to go for a season two. Were they just going to forgive and forget and resurrect the drama program and put on yet another show of questionable morality and appropriateness for a high school drama program? When people think it’s appropriate to bring mature themes down to the high school level, they forget that these are still children on the verge of adulthood, but not yet equipped to handle such situations without mature guidance. The time to test and explore such themes is college or beyond.    … Full Review »
  2. kimhbi
    Mar 19, 2018
    9
    The show was a slow starter and I almost stopped watching after 10 minutes. SO glad I stuck with it! I really enjoy the relevancy of theThe show was a slow starter and I almost stopped watching after 10 minutes. SO glad I stuck with it! I really enjoy the relevancy of the story, and the writer's courage to write the teen characters with baggage and courage to stand up for themselves. I'm anxious to see where the story goes.… Full Review »
  3. section20mi6
    Mar 14, 2018
    5
    The main story jumps in right away with almost no character development, particularly the protagonist Lou Mazzuchelli. While an interestingThe main story jumps in right away with almost no character development, particularly the protagonist Lou Mazzuchelli. While an interesting premise is presented, the content of first episode can well be expanded into several episodes. Instead, the writer chose to compress everything into 40 minutes, offering no reasoning behind the unity of the students or their dedication into the theater program or Lou's struggle and realization of what he actually wants to do. Just another good idea ruined by procedural methods.… Full Review »
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