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Nitro Circus: The Movie Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

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

  • 3.0
    45

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 40

    out of 100

    Variety

    Watching people take their lives into their hands shouldn't be as tedious as Nitro Circus: The Movie 3D, which could be described as "Jackass" with a death wish (or "Wipeout" without the water).

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  • 50

    out of 100

    The New York Times Neil Genzlinger

    Only a couple of times do the stunts have that extra ingredient - wit - that makes this kind of thing amusing to watch.

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  • 50

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times

    Strictly for fans only.

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  • 60

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter John DeFore

    Falling somewhere between the X Games and Jackass on the Knievel Scale of Senseless Self-Endangerment, the crew known as Nitro Circus offers more physical and technical prowess than Johnny Knoxville's crew without stooping to anything so disciplined it might accidentally be called a sport.

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  • See all Nitro Circus: The Movie reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 13+

Dangerous stunts, teasing, injuries aren't entertaining.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Nitro Circus: The Movie 3D is a big-screen version of MTV's Travis Pastrana and his band of crazy stuntmen doing their usual dangerous, over-the-top stuff. Expect tons of wild stunts -- mostly involving sending various vehicles up and over ramps -- as well as lots of crashes and injuries; one character survives a horrible car crash and goes to the hospital. Language is fairly strong; "f--k" is bleeped, and "s--t" is sometimes, too, but not always. The team's lone female member is seen posing for sexy pictures while wearing a revealing leather outfit. There's also heavy product placement, as several sports drinks are corporate sponsors. These guys have many young fans who will be clamoring to see this movie and, despite a warning at the beginning about not trying this stuff at home, possibly eager to try similar stunts themselves. So beware.

  • Families can talk about stunts. Movies like Nitro Circus highlight stunts that -- unlike those in blockbuster action films -- seem to involve neither planning nor safety. Which looks more exciting? Why? Which seem more "real" or more dangerous? Why do you think people choose to perform these kinds of stunts?
  • How does the impact of this kind of violence compare to that of action and horror movies? Are stunts more fun to watch if have more potential danger? Why?
  • Why do these kinds of performers become so famous? What message does that send to kids?
  • Why do the performers spend so much time teasing and ridiculing one another? Do they come across as real friends?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: The characters are ridiculed for being outsiders and then celebrated for their "courage" in performing these ridiculous stunts -- which unfortunately make them famous. Characters also tease each other while preparing for stunts. That said, the movie does come with the usual warning against trying these stunts at home, and there are consequences in at least one case: one stunt goes terribly wrong, and a driver is sent to the hospital.

  • rolemodels true1

    Role models: One character, "Wheelz" -- who's in a wheelchair -- shows that people with disabilities can do exciting and dangerous things as well as able-bodied people. But overall the characters are immature and irresponsible.

What to watch for
  • violence false4

    Violence: No weapons or blood, but there are many scenes of gratuitous, life-altering violence, including dozens of car crashes, bicycle crashes, and many other crashes. Human bodies slam into the ground or water with horrible, painful impact. Some characters sustain bruises or painful injuries, and sometimes they're taken to the hospital for treatment.

  • sex false1

    Sex: The lone female member of the team, Jolene Van Vugt, is shown taking sexy pictures during the film's opening minutes. She wears a revealing, tight leather outfit. But during the rest of the movie, she appears normally and is just one of the "guys."

  • language false3

    Language: A couple of uses of "f--k" are bleeped, as are some uses of "s--t" (but not all). Other audible language includes "p---y," "crap," "butt," "vagina," "hell," "ass," "balls," "bastard," "damn," "oh my god," and "douche."

  • consumerism false4

    Consumerism: The cast members have corporate sponsors and are constantly seen wearing T-shirts and hats with corporate logos. Logos also appear on various vehicles. They're mostly for sports drinks: Red Bull, Muscle Milk, Rockstar, and Monster. Suzuki is also a sponsor.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false1

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Alcoholic beverages are mentioned, as in "I'm going to go have a beer," but nothing is actually shown. "Moonshine" is mentioned.

Fan Reviews provided by

4

Classic TP! by tesxyz
All that you would expect and love if you have followed the circus. Although it seems like they may be slowing down a little as they get older.

4

Fun movie by kingphilip
Nitro Circus is best for a fan of the show or of Travis Pastrana. The stunts are a lot of fun and turn out great in 3D. It's probably the best use of 3D that I've seen yet. There really isn't a story and the stunts aren't for everyone. Like they say in the movie, it's sort of Evil Knievel meets Jackass.

4

Entertaining movie but not the best. by travishanger
Def. a great movie if your a fan of the nitro circus crew. The ending was a bit weak but overall a great movie get it an 8 out of 10.

2

Nothing to blow your mind. by cnj0820
Its okay if you have fallowed Nitro Circus sense the very begining. Over all tho it is very tame. Nothing that really blows your mind. Most of the movie I was bored. They drag out the same stunt over and over. They just didnt have that wow factor like you get from Jackass. Not worth paying to see at all. I wouldnt even get it from redbox. Its a wait tell its on Netflix or free on MTV in a year. Really disappointing.

4

Behind the Scenes by tgiedd
Expected this to be more of an actual movie having not seen anything about it. My son & his friends wanted to see it so we did. It really was an interesting look at what lead up to the Las Vegas event, not much at the event though. Good show for those who love tricks and daring stunts.

5

3D is awesome by feestyle1
This would be an awesome life if you were a thrill seeker and into death defying stunts. The group of guys and girl put on an awesome show to thrill the crowd.

4

Exciting edge of your seat fun
Inspiring moments of daring tricks and pushing your body to the limit. Fun and daring. Actual talent used and not nearly as stupid and talentless as Jackass movies. Some stupid tricks for fun but mostly true talent of extreme sports on full display throughout the entire film.

4

Really cool by Spydercage
Better then the TV show. You get a more detailed look at behind the scenes, why they do stunts out of the country, a longer look at the stunts. More of the pain some of the guys go thru. The movie comes across as much more intense then the TV show. Watching them go thru what they do and try is fun to see on the big screen. Not really sure it needed to be in 3D however. Enjoyable show/movie cuz i can watch them go thru the stunts and the pain if they fail while I can still there eating my popcorn :)

3

Nitro Circus= Jackass with motorcycles by bmisiaszek
It was an okay movie. Nothing that is worth watching twice. But good entertainment.

3

Stupid Human Tricks....Baseline Entertainment But Amazing. by Alon Patterson
Nobody would see this film as anything other than as documenting amazing stunts. Basically, the sound is unnecessary and as for the 3D, it's a gimmick to overcharge as in the case of most movies. The show is entertaining but don't expect intelligence here, as there's barely enough to outfit a moron. Still, you have to hand it these idiots because some of the feats they pull are brainless yet extraordinarily brave. That alone makes it worth the price of a cheap ticket, but if you pay more than a matinee price, you'll leave feeling ripped off.

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