A kinetically charged gridiron drama that is enormous fun to watch.
75
USA TodayMike Clark
USA TodayMike Clark
Though there are helmets deeper than this movie, you do have to admire the level of screen showmanship .
75
Philadelphia InquirerDesmond Ryan
Philadelphia InquirerDesmond Ryan
A turbocharged and pungently enjoyable take on the sport so many observers see - Stone, of course, included - as a reflection of the darker side of American life.
75
San Francisco ChroniclePeter Stack
San Francisco ChroniclePeter Stack
Features convincing, often soaring, performances by a savvy cast that must have gotten adrenaline shots administered by Stone himself.
58
Portland OregonianShawn Levy
Portland OregonianShawn Levy
Though intermittently entertaining, it's too long and rarely insightful in new or meaningful ways.
Stone is an undeniably stylish director, and his talent for conveying intense emotion is well put to use here. But more often Stone's in-your-face technique is as exhausting as his steroid-enhanced players.
This energetic and diverting sports soap opera throws a few head fakes in the direction of an iconoclastic examination of the dark side of professional football.
30
TNT RoughCutTom Cappello
TNT RoughCutTom Cappello
Oliver Stone must learn that edgy photography does not substitute for a story with substance.
30
Village VoiceJ. Hoberman
Village VoiceJ. Hoberman
Like a visual concussion.
25
San Francisco ExaminerWesley Morris
San Francisco ExaminerWesley Morris
A football epic on performance enhancers that may be more flagrantly flawed, more shockingly predictable and just plain cornier than its rickety predecessors.