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The Bounty Hunter Review

Movies.com Critics

0.5

Dave White Profile

Like being in jail. Read full review

1.0

Jen Yamato Profile

An aggressively mediocre work of alleged romantic comedy. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

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

  • 2.0
    22

    out of 100

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

  • 25

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    That's what The Bounty Hunter has rustled up -- along with a listless rom-com, a feeble thriller and a supporting cast of clueless characters.

    Read Full Review

  • 30

    out of 100

    The New York Times A.O. Scott

    For his sins poor Stewart is kidnapped, tortured and shot up with horse tranquilizer after his leg is broken. It's disturbing, and somewhat baffling too, until you grasp that this hapless sucker is a surrogate for the audience.

    Read Full Review

  • 38

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    Why, oh, why, was this movie necessary?

    Read Full Review

  • 40

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Betsy Sharkey

    Try as they might, Nicole and Milo, as they are called in the movie, don't steam. Wispy vapors is about as good as it gets.

    Read Full Review

  • 40

    out of 100

    Variety Justin Chang

    This dire battle-of-the-exes action-comedy severely tests audience goodwill by running an indulgent 110 minutes, crammed as it is with half-baked thriller subplots and aimless supporting characters, as if to distract from the central duo's nonstop bickering.

    Read Full Review

  • 40

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt

    The mishmash ends up as a thoroughly unfunny adult cartoon.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    In The Bounty Hunter, the couple that foils a bunch of tiresome grade-C thriller goons together stays together. Whether or not that's a recipe for love, it's certainly not a formula for romantic-comedy magic.

    Read Full Review

  • See all The Bounty Hunter reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 14+

Stereotypes and minor violence arrest this dull romcom.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this uninspired romantic comedy with an action twist is a little more violent than most films of this genre. It has gunfights and knee-whackings, but no outright gore. There’s a fair amount of swearing, including "ass" and "s--t," and an improbable reunion between a career woman and the ex-husband who can’t seem to stop making fun of her, which sends some mixed messages about love and relationships. A scene set in a strip club includes some barely clad women (thongs, bras/pasties); there are plenty of references to sex as well.

  • Families can talk about why Nicole and Milo’s marriage failed in the first place, and how believable their reunion is. Can two people who really hurt each other reconcile this easily, even in a romcom? What brings them back together?
  • What kinds of stereotypes does this movie portray? Do the men and women in the movie seem like real people, or caricatures?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Aniston’s character is supposedly independent and successful, and yet she’s still painted as someone who’s fragile and incomplete unless she’s with a guy. And not just any guy, but one who -- what else? -- needs redeeming. Buried amid the rubble of unfunny jokes is an interesting, but hardly surprising message about how relationships crumble because of two people’s shortcomings, not usually one.

  • rolemodels true0

    Role models: Milo and Nicole are supposed rough-and-tumble characters, and certainly nice enough, but he’s a caricature and she’s a contradiction. Though meant to portray a smart, sassy reporter, Nicole spends nearly the entire movie in impractical high heels and cleavage-baring tank top.

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence: Loan sharks whack a guy’s leg with a golf club. Two men have a fistfight at a parade. A formerly-married couple bicker; she throws things at him, he insults her. Guns are drawn and fired; two characters are injured. A street chase results in an SUV careening off the road and rolling over. A guy is Tasered.

  • sex false3

    Sex: A couple banters flirtatiously. There’s talk of “getting laid" and many other references to sex. A seduction attempt includes someone being straddled. Very scantily clad (thongs, bras/pasties) women dance in a strip bar. A man and a woman kiss.

  • language false3

    Language: Pretty pungent, indluding “ass,” “hell,” “s--t,” “pr--k,” "Goddamn," and “dick.”

  • consumerism false3

    Consumerism: Some logos for champagne (Moet); newspapers (Daily News); fast-food restaurants (Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins) and hotels (Trump Taj Mahal and Borgata).

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false2

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Stolen cocaine figures into the story, though nobody is shown using it. A main character is briefly seen drunk.

Fan Reviews provided by

3

NOT REALLY.... by lovestalentmoviefan
...memorable at all. Best moment I recall was Butler in his towel. Yes! Otherwise, nothing to make this stand on it's own from other same type flicks. Complaints about Milo being rough looking confuse me because that's who his character was. Also, it's pretty sexy! Poor J.Aniston. I am not a real fan,but was happy that it seemed like she was getting a chance to do something a little more exciting and different from her last few roles. Nope. She just needs to quit trying to be a 'movie star'. Golf carts---don't we ALWAYS know what will happen with one. Just wait for rental. Trust me.

3

Bummer! by birac
With Butler,I thought this would be way funnier and a must see at least twice. Wrong. I even expected Aniston to spread her wings a little from the previews. She didn't. Not real cohesive,with varied storylines,and that was the problem. Writers should have put more into the MAIN theme,with maybe one of the supporting stories. Except for the both good looking thing,the leads did not have chemistry or convince me of anything. And,come on,when you put the actors in tight,impractical clothes ,high heels,multiple down the shirt camera shots,towels etc.,you give them reasons to not put out up to par performances,and simply tell the viewers that all they want is sex appeal. We are intelligent grown ups,and all know there are pretty people in hollywood. By the way-way too much time in tanning booths for both of them.

5

Hillarious by 4christ123
This movie was non-stop laughing... it did start out alittle slow but after that it flew by. Aniston was great and looked as good as she did in Friends 10 years ago. Butler was also very good. The plot was great and it was nice to see Aniston play a more seriuos role following the murder case while still keeping her funny character. And why is everyone saying there was no chemistry, there isnt supposed to be any until the end because their characters were supposed to hate each other. Overall Must See

3

Took a second look at this.... by LTMF 2
...just for kicks when my daughter wanted to go. Maybe we are just turning into cinema snobs,but only mediocre. Not alot of originality or even really funny lines. Always enjoy seeing Butler,but love him more when his acting is supported by a great script.You know,when Aniston was in The Good Girl,being normal and not using tight clothes to keep our attention,I thought she had some hidden talent that was starting to show. But I have been disappointed since. Oh well. recommend wait for dvd or whatever.

4

Bounty Hunter by Keupp 1
Is was a good movie with a nice mix of comedy, romance, and more! Not the best movie I've seen this year, but it was enjoyable!

3

a funny movie by barlaw
The whole concept was a cute funny movie,except....there were so many trailers before the movie even came out, it wasn't worth seeing what little was left

3

The Bounty Hunter has a few funny moments with a slopped together story by thesilentcat4
The biggest problem, and yes I'm starting off with its biggest problem, was that its story was just SO predictable and showed so much non-preparation and thought that it just hurts to watch it. Other than that flaw, the movie was OK. The acting was well done, and there were a few good funny scenes in this. But the story's problems hurt it too much, and its just a bore to watch. Also, its such a typical romantic comedy it looks like they went strictly "by-the-book" on doing a romantic comedy. OK MOVIE, maybe go see it

5

A little long...but worth it! by ShoeFitz
If you are a true Gerard Butler fan, then you must go see this movie. Yes, it does run a little long and yes, you have to put up with J.A.'s usual facial expressions, and blah..blah. But you will get a lot of laughs and you will see a lot of Gerry. He does quite well in a comedic situation. A great movie to see with your girlfriends.

4

Critics don't think like me. by Mysty
I read 30+ Critic reviews of this movie & they were all terrible. When my husband wanted to see it I went along but not happily. WELL, yet again the critics are looking for Oscar pictures & performances. This is a very cute movie to which you can relax and just enjoy.

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