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Edward Scissorhands Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 4.0
    74

    out of 100

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

  • 100

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly

    Simple, funny, gorgeous, sad, and sweet, perfect for playing over and over.

    Read Full Review

  • 100

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Michael Wilmington

    Perhaps the most original movie fantasy creation of the year: an icon of tenderness and artistic alienation that clings, stickum-like, to your mind's eye and the softest, most woundable parts of your mass-culture heart. [7 Dec 1990, Calendar, p.F-1]

  • 50

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    The disappointment is that Burton has not yet found the storytelling and character-building strength to go along with his pictorial flair.

    Read Full Review

  • 63

    out of 100

    USA Today Mike Clark

    If the script were half as witty as its production design and Danny Elfman's score, the film might be a classic; instead, it recalls the “Beetlejuice” half that doesn't have Keaton. [7 Dec 1990, Life, p.4D]

  • 80

    out of 100

    The New York Times Elvis Mitchell

    Like a great chef concocting an exquisite peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich, Mr. Burton invests awe-inspiring ingenuity into the process of reinventing something very small.

    Read Full Review

  • 88

    out of 100

    Chicago Tribune Dave Kehr

    Strange, funny and powerfully moving… Burton has found a way to move through camp to emotional authenticity, to communicate-through a concentration of style and an innocence of regard-a depth and sincerity of feeling that his deliberately (and often, comically) flat characters could not summon on their own. [14 Dec 1990, Friday, p.C]

  • 90

    out of 100

    Variety

    A delightful and delicate comic fable.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Edward Scissorhands reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 13+

Dark yet sweet underdog tale for older kids.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that there is sporadic violence in this film. Aside from a woman attempting to seduce Edward wearing a lace bra, sexuality is limited to Fifties-style courting rituals (kissing and hugging). Some of the garish set pieces, like Edward's haunted mansion, and the title character, with mean-looking, scissors for fingers, may be terrifying for young children.

  • Families can talk about how the film is an 'Ugly Duckling' fable about a misunderstood, soft-spoken underdog who does not fit the cookie cutter mold.
  • What is normal?
  • How does conformity play a role in the townspeople's treatment of Edward?
  • Can you think of instances in real life when people have judged others based on their appearances?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: An inventive take on the ugly-duckling motif, Edward proves once again that real beauty is on the inside.

  • rolemodels true2

    Role models: The neighbors are modern day witch-hunters, but the leading characters, including Edward and his 'foster' family, are soft-spoken, friendly, and open to diversity.

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence: Edward accidentally nips his face, then a little boy's. Edward is beaten with a stick repeatedly, and he stabs an attacker in the chest, causing him to fall out a window to his death.

  • sex false0

    Sex: A woman wears figure-hugging outfits and is also seen on top of Edward wearing a lace bra.

  • language false3

    Language: Only three occasions of suggestive talk, one expletive.

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Mom is an Avon lady, but besides the focus on make-up and hair, film is brand-free.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Dad serves Edward a drink, after which Edward gets visibly drunk and sick.

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 4.098
Read all reviews Write a review at Fandango
5

by Paulycando

3

by acdcrocker

4

by natashadavis27

4

by fish go

5

by luvusumammie

Read all Edward Scissorhands reviews at Fandango
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