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Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius

EMAILPRINTParamount Pictures

Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius reviews
65
5.2 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 21 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 11 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Family/Kids

Written by: John A. Davis (also story)
David N. Weiss
J. David Stem
Steve Oedekerk (also story)

Directed by: John A. Davis

Release Date:
Theatrical: December 21, 2001
DVD: July 2, 2002

Running Time: 90 minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: G for General Audiences

Starring Megan Cavanagh, Mark DeCarlo, Debi Derryberry, Jeffrey Garcia, Carolyn Lawrence, Andrea Martin, Candi Milo, and Laraine Newman

The inter-stellar saga of a super-intelligent pre-teen boy inventor and his robot dog Goddard. Together they undertake a daring rescue mission, battle evil aliens, save the Earth, and, perhaps most importantly, return home in time for dinner. (Paramount Pictures)

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

91

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Sean Axmaker

There's a real gee-whiz kick to the fantasy of being the brainiest kid on the planet, and a down-to-earth quality to Jimmy and his not-so-bright, but ever-so-stalwart best buddies.

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83

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

A lickety-split, madly packed, roller-coaster entertainment that might almost have been designed to make you scared of how much smarter your kids are than you.

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80

LA Weekly F. X. Feeney

A witty, well-crafted comedy that combines primal slapstick with sharp satiric banter to keep children and parents laughing together.

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80

New Times (L.A.) Luke Y. Thompson

The movie's essentially a series of high-speed, dizzying rocket chases that should keep the young'uns perfectly quiet.

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75

Miami Herald Christine Dolen

The charm of Jimmy Neutron is that it's both futuristic enough to intrigue kids and retro enough to hook their parents.

75

Boston Globe Loren King

Mixes ''Jetsons''-style futuristic hijinks with a reliable story of a boy inadvertently whisked ''over the rainbow'' to another galaxy where his mettle is tested.

75

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

It doesn't have the little in-jokes that make "Shrek" and "Monsters, Inc." fun for grown-ups. But adults who appreciate the art of animation may enjoy the look of the picture.

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75

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

A thoroughly entertaining animated comedy that's sweet enough for the youngest moviegoers, and smart enough for the most cynical chaperone.

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75

Chicago Tribune Patrick Z. McGavin

Clever and funny, with a dense surface of ideas and moods.

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70

Variety Todd McCarthy

Moppet appeal of the present feature rests in three can't-miss concepts -- cool gadgets, the desire to see grownups disappear and space travel. Pic delivers on all three points and doesn't have to do a whole lot more.

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70

Washington Post Rita Kempley

This little charmer both celebrates and kids the corny conventions of family sitcoms.

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70

The New York Times Dana Stevens

After Jimmy Neutron was over, I felt glassy-eyed and a little headachy. But the boy genius who accompanied me to the screening could not take his eyes off the screen. I think he's in his room right now, building a shrink ray to try out on his dad.

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70

Chicago Reader Lisa Alspector

For the sake of more irony--the movie is lousy with it--the precocious characters have an infantile response to the discovery that their parents are missing: all want their mommies after a night of junk-food excess.

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60

Film Threat Gareth Von Kallenbach

The film is short on plot, and any form of character development, but I am sure the target audience of children will find plenty to enjoy even though most adults may find it a bit boring. All in all, Jimmy Neutron is a nice holiday diversion for the family.

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60

Los Angeles Times Gene Seymour

The movie's clatter and whiz-bang suggests more humor than there actually is.

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50

San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle

Inventive and intermittently amusing.

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50

USA Today Claudia Puig

After "Monsters, Inc.," this movie may be a bit of a letdown, but there are some scenes that will delight elementary-school-age children and older preschoolers -- notably the gross-out moments.

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50

Baltimore Sun Staff (Not credited)

A misstep or two aside, you don't have to belong to Mensa to know kids will enjoy it.

50

New York Post Lou Lumenick

Aimed squarely at the under-6 crowd, is basically the pilot for a Nickelodeon series with an already heavily merchandised character.

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50

TV Guide Frank Lovece

Grownups who grew up on The Jetsons and children who, like the movie's heroes, aren't yet nine years old, should enjoy this film.

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20

Washington Post Dan Via

Frenetic and uninvolving.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 5.2 (out of 10) based on 11 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Michelle P. gave it a 4:
I thought the jokes in this film were very first-rate (I was laughing so hard I was crying) and the dog Gardar was adorable (I love dogs.) But the plot was a bit extreme with the little kids going into outer space and everything. Jimmy needs a better haircut, the setting needs a better look, the animation needs better detail, and the movie needs a better plot.

Duncan S. gave it an 8:
This movie was alright but it was mostly a kid movie.

Jake M. gave it a 6:
This is a fruity movie. It has the vibe of Toy Story, but just aimed more at the audience of kids, instead of everyone. And the fact that N'sync has a song in the movie should say it all. But it was just a fun movie.

Amanda T. gave it a 10:
This movie rocked. Cool soundtrack too.

Chad S. gave it a 6:
More often than not, the striking (is there any other kind?) 3-D computer animation compensates for the kid-centric storyline and dialogue, but never does "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius" achieve, or even make an attempt at transcendence of the family picture genre. Still worth a look though, even if you're Ponette-free.

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