Aliens of the Deep
Metascore
71 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: David Sterritt
    100
    A major treat for the eyes.
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Peter Hartlaub
    100
    Thoroughly entertaining.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Frank Scheck
    90
    A visually enthralling undersea travelogue.
  4. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    90
    A visual adventure worthy of that much degraded adjective, awesome.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    83
    Gorgeous as the underwater life-forms are, the excitement of Aliens of the Deep comes from that most old-school, low-tech of elements: real human beings.
  6. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    75
    Evolution aside, there are some wonderful images in Aliens of the Deep, even if the crew members say how much they love their jobs about six times too often.
  7. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    75
    The latest in a series of entertaining IMAX underwater documentaries.
  8. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Wesley Morris
    75
    Stirs excitement about exploration of all kinds.
  9. Premiere
    Reviewed by: Peter Debruge
    75
    As science gives way to science fiction, the movie loses its way, squandering time that might better be spent exploring the ocean's floor, where these alien life forms already among us must be seen to be believed.
  10. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: J. Hoberman
    70
    Often thrilling almost-feelie.
  11. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Gene Seymour
    70
    Though Aliens of the Deep flirts with Zissou-Murray's divine madness, Cameron's vision seems somehow cozier. No wonder he's not yet ready for dry dock.
  12. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Robert K. Elder
    63
    All in all, it's a fascinating, kid-friendly journey.
  13. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Jack Mathews
    63
    After dazzling us with its undersea discoveries, "Aliens" turns downright silly at the end, with a fantasy sequence set in a presumed ocean on Europa, one of the moons of Jupiter.
  14. Empire
    Reviewed by: Chris Hewitt
    60
    The final shot, in particular, is awesome, and confirms that the sooner Cameron gets back to making proper movies, instead of Boys’ Own diversions, the better.
  15. Dallas Observer
    Reviewed by: Luke Y. Thompson
    60
    Fans of Arthur C. Clarke may be pleased, but fans of serious biology may bust out laughing at the goofily rendered aliens who show up.
  16. Variety
    Reviewed by: Ronnie Scheib
    60
    Documentary's visual wonders and well-pitched enthusiasm happily outstrip its clunkily ingenuous ain't-science-fun narrative.
  17. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Maitland McDonagh
    50
    An equally discomfiting mix of popular science and ballyhoo, serves up amazing images of the bizarre life that flourishes in the deepest ocean depths.
  18. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Andrea Gronvall
    50
    The science is compelling, though Cameron and codirector Steven Quale undermine the movie's scholarship with a silly sci-fi ending.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 4 out of 8
  1. PeterJ.
    6
    I was bored out of my mind throughout this movie. I understand they had to make the movie longer, but the commentarywas amazingly boring.
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