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Vantage Point Review

Movies.com Critics

3.5

Dave White Profile

… somewhat idiotic, manic, gimmicky … Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

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

  • 3.0
    40

    out of 100

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

  • 10

    out of 100

    Variety Justin Chang

    A 23-minute movie dragged out, via some narrative gimmickry, to a punishing hour and a half.

    Read Full Review

  • 10

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    Why, beating the audience about the ears, eyes and brain with essentially the same sequence of events from eight characters' points of view, none of which adds much more than deafening hysteria and identically dreadful music. The filmmakers seem to have missed the point that each re-enactment in "Rashomon" provides new and conflicting information. It makes you wonder if they studied the wrong movie. Maybe they rented "Rush Hour," or a video on Rosh Hashanah.

    Read Full Review

  • 30

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Sheri Linden

    Straight out of the slice-and-dice school of filmmaking, Vantage Point fractures chronology and perspective in a vain attempt to disguise its flimsiness.

    Read Full Review

  • 40

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

    The truth is that two other films with Greengrass' name on them, "The Bourne Supremacy" and "The Bourne Ultimatum," have spoiled us for this kind of thriller filmmaking, and stacked against that, Vantage Point doesn't have a chance.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    Turns out to be a tepid thriller that promises more than it delivers.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    The New York Times Manohla Dargis

    This is competent if completely impersonal filmmaking of a familiar type that finds the usual allotment of famous, or at least famous enough, actors.

    Read Full Review

  • 58

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    Vantage Point starts to slide off the rails when it tracks a tourist (Forest Whitaker) and his trusty camcorder; instead of Zapruder-like intrigue, the episode has him running around like an agent in a rote thriller.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Vantage Point reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 14+

Disappointing action flick centers on terrorism.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that some teens may be drawn to this political action adventure by its all-star cast of popular/award-wining actors (including Matthew Fox of Lost, Dennis Quaid, Sigourney Weaver, and Forest Whitaker). The film revolves around a terrorist attack on the U.S. president and features scenes of explosions killing a crowd of people, a suicide bomber detonating in a posh hotel's lobby, high-ranking officials being shot at execution-style, and other bloody deaths. Language includes words like "s--t" and "bitch"; it's worth noting that there's markedly less commercialism and drug/alcohol use than in comparable films.

  • Families can talk about how the movie portrays the United States, the president, and terrorists. Are there parallels to modern U.S. politics? How so? Is it common in recent films for the American government and its leaders to be shown negatively -- especially in films that take place abroad? Why or why not? What message do you think the movie is trying to send?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Secret Service agents act courageously in the aftermath of a terrorist attack abroad. An American tourist bravely puts his life in danger to save a young girl. Although most of the movie's terrorists are Muslims from the Middle East, there are American ones, too.

What to watch for
  • violence false5

    Violence: The U.S. president is shot at during a speech. Crowds of people die in an explosion set off by a terrorist; a suicide bomber detonates himself in the lobby of a hotel; terrorists kill several people execution-style and kidnap the president. A Cabinet member tries to force the president to bomb Morocco for harboring terrorists.

  • sex false0

    Sex: A woman seems to be in a romantic embrace, but she's actually being handled roughly. She then kisses and hugs another man.

  • language false3

    Language: Language includes `s--t,` `ass,` `bitch,` and `bulls--t.`

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Nothing overt, except for an obvious CNN-like news channel called `GNN.`

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: The president is sedated so he can be kidnapped.

Fan Reviews provided by

5

Boring?????????? by emfdrums49
Not in any way!! We were riveted from the opening sequence to the last scene...I think the movie was superbly crafted the way it gave just one more piece of the puzzle on each "replay." The critics missed on this one!

5

Action Packed by The Crow Critic
Great movie with a great twist. Not really a dull moment, keeps you guessing the entire time. If you liked 'Crash' you might like this movie, Its directed very similar. Go see this movie if you have cash to spare.

3

Too many "Vantage Point"s by shutterbug13
This movie was pretty packed with action and it was a good "can you figure out what happened" type of movie, but to show each person's "vantage point", they rewinded the movie to the beginning like 6 times! So you could see what another person was doing and seeing from the beginning. The crowd in the theatre got tired of that real quick...after like the 2nd time. I think this really took away from the movie. It was kinda like watching a normal movie, someone new coming into the room and having to rewind the movie and start over 6 times. Sounds annoying huh? But hey, if you like that kinda thing, go see it...otherwise wait to rent it.

5

Twists after twists after twits ! ( Spoiler free =) by The Movie penguin
I probably watch more movies that the average Joe. The movie is without a doubt one of the most mind boggling movie I have seen in recent years. I'm usually pretty good at predicting movies' outcome or who the real killer is, much before these a revealed, However this movie will leave you in awe with the multiple directions, plots, and points of you as the movie progresses.. If you have just seen the preview, Good! because you have seen nothing yet. The story is the typical US vs terrorists, but what separates this movie from others is its originality in the way it was filmed, through the eye of 6 different characters. Is this movie predictable,? Most definetly not. Will you enjoy this movie? Absolutely yes!

5

Vantage Point by Chesapeake_City_Gal
Great movie - lots of action and suspense. It is fancinating how different the same situation is from the different points of view. I liked how this movie progressed - a little more in each scenerio. A must see on the big screen.

5

unbelieveable by crazed47
the movie was so exciting. you got to see action after action after action, and it never stopped. the previews didnt lie

5

Keeps you on the edge of your seat!! by movie_queen753
This movie is AWESOME! My friend and i were saying "This is a great movie!!" within 5 or 10 minutes of it starting! yes, that early!! not good for small kids definitely, but an awesome movies for teens!!!

5

Vantage Point by sosman1983
This was a nonstop action thriller that had you in the movie from the beginning. If you loved the Bourne movies than this is a must see. Forest Whittaker and Dennis Quaid rocked. You will be guessing until the end, but pay attention or you will miss clues.

2

The Build Up!!! and the Crash by mcruisecontrol
The audience gets frustrated when the same scenes are played over and over but the ultimately the points of view get better as the movie progresses. Up to the very end of the movie, the action and plot line is exciting and unpredictable. Yet the last few moments of the movie couldn't have been more predictable and quite frankly cheesy. Viewers are left disappointed after such a thrilling build up to what should be a fantastic movie. This movie is only worth seeing if you enjoy a lot of action and do not expect an unpredictable ending.

5

Vantage Point by Oldie_but_Goodie
This movie takes off and never lets you go! You've heard "It takes two" ? Well, this movie really takes five!! It is extremely well done - Production values, acting, directing, special effects, - and the ending will leave you breathless. Thank you.

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