Metacritic Movie Ratings
Akeelah and the Bee Reviews

4.0

72

out of 100

Metascore®
Generally favorable reviews
Based on a weighted average of all critic review scores.

A sample of reviews from critics across the country.

  • 100

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert

    Keke Palmer, a young Chicago actress whose first role was as Queen Latifah's niece in "Barbershop 2," becomes an important young star with this movie. It puts her in Dakota Fanning and Thora Cross territory, and there's something about her poise and self-possession that hints she will grow up to be a considerable actress.

    Read full review

  • 83

    out of 100

    Entertainment WeeklyScott Brown

    Blessed with excellent turns by Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne, this feel-gooder revels in its hip-to-be-square hyperliteracy, and neatly exceeds its own PSA-ness, practically amounting to a black, preteen "Good Will Hunting."

    Read full review

  • 80

    out of 100

    The New York TimesLawrence Van Gelder

    The innate suspense and charm of the spelling bee, along with a trio of crack performances, turn what is in essence a formulaic sports picture into something more satisfying: an underdog tale that manages to inspire without being sappy.

    Read full review

  • 70

    out of 100

    VarietyJustin Chang

    This earnest weepie plays like "The Karate Kid" with a pro-literacy agenda, pushing all the right emotional buttons yet hitting quite a few wrong ones in the process.

    Read full review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan

    A genuinely sweet and determinedly inspirational family film that features a charming young actress in the title role. It's a successful feel-good movie, but it would make you feel even better if it didn't push quite so hard for its desired effects.

    Read full review

  • 70

    out of 100

    The Hollywood ReporterMichael Rechtshaffen

    Effectively anchoring the picture is Keke Palmer's lovely lead performance as Akeelah Anderson.

    Read full review

  • 63

    out of 100

    USA TodayClaudia Puig

    You could be cynical about the first movie produced by the coffee colossus Starbucks. But there's nothing cynical about Akeelah's story of courage and determination.

    Read full review

See all Akeelah and the Bee movie reviews at Metacritic.com

Share
Advertisement