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The Manchurian Candidate Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

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

  • 4.0
    76

    out of 100

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

  • 100

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

    The strength of sensational material joined to excellent acting, superior filmmaking and uncanny political relevance has made The Manchurian Candidate into exceptionally intelligent entertainment and a high point of director Jonathan Demme's career.

    Read Full Review

  • 63

    out of 100

    USA Today Mike Clark

    A case of smart and talented people trying to jam a Cold War square into a Gulf War circle. You can feel the chafing, to say nothing of the burden this capably crafted shrug has taken on.

    Read Full Review

  • 67

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    What this Manchurian Candidate for a new generation makes up for in timing, it lacks in discipline and edge.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    Streep wisely goes for oblique humor rather than straight-ahead villainy, making the character different and yet just as loathsome.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen

    The updated classic is a chiller of a political thriller in its own right.

    Read Full Review

  • 90

    out of 100

    The New York Times Dana Stevens

    A political thriller that manages to be at once silly and clever, buoyantly satirical and sneakily disturbing, but he (Demme) has recovered some of the lightness and sureness of touch that had faded from his movies after "The Silence of the Lambs."

    Read Full Review

  • 90

    out of 100

    Variety Todd McCarthy

    Structurally and thematically similar to John Frankenheimer's original but entirely different in style, feel and nuance, this political thriller about a brainwashed soldier being positioned for the White House provides a delectable network of dramatic tripwires that teases the mind and quickens the pulse. This is brainy popcorn fare.

    Read Full Review

  • 90

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    Shrewdly reconceived, powerfully acted and hugely entertaining.

  • See all The Manchurian Candidate reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 16+

Sleek remake is best for older teens and up.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this movie is a thriller with intense and graphic violence, including many murders (gunshot, strangling, drowning) and injuries. Characters drink, smoke, and use drugs. There's some very strong language. A strength of the movie is its portrayal of strong, intelligent, loyal, and capable women and minorities.

  • Families can talk about how this movie compares to the original and thow each film is a reflection of its times. Marco says, "I thought I knew who the enemy was." Who was the enemy? What does the choice of bad guy tell us? Is an "emotionally compromised past" a "terrible burden" from which someone must be freed?

What to watch for
  • violence false5

    Violence: Intense and graphic violence, battle violence, characters in peril, several murders, lab animals mistreated.

  • sex false0

    Sex: Not an issue

  • language false3

    Language: Some strong language.

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Drinking, smoking.

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: 3.598
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4

by yyy8543746

Read all The Manchurian Candidate reviews at Fandango
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