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Manda Bala Review

Movies.com Critics

5.0

Dave White Profile

… a crazy connect-the-dots style … Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

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

  • 4.0
    71

    out of 100

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

  • 60

    out of 100

    The New York Times Stephen Holden

    Instead of seriously investigating corruption, money laundering and the buying of politicians, Manda Bala would rather spend its time showing slimy brown frogs slithering over one another as they are dumped from one container into another.

    Read Full Review

  • 63

    out of 100

    Chicago Tribune

    By the end, despite the film’s beautiful cinematography, persuasive subjects and ironically upbeat soundtrack, we just feel bludgeoned.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    What the film does best is document the lengths to which people are going to protect themselves -- subcutaneous microchips for identification, ever-heavier armor for fancy cars.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    Variety Scott Foundas

    Crammed into a lively 85-minute package delivered with loads of dark humor and cinematic flair, this is a worthy winner of Sundance's Grand Jury prize for documentary.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

    Edgy and provocative but with a weakness for sensationalistic footage.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    Village Voice

    With an excess of excitable style, samba music, and heady, montage-driven metaphor that threatens to bury his film's key ideas, young-gun director Kohn--a New Yorker with South American roots--has clearly set out to make a splash. So far, he's succeeded.

    Read Full Review

  • 83

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    There's no denying its grip: It is lurid, fascinating, sickening, and eye-opening.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Manda Bala reviews at Metacritic.com

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