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Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 39 Ratings

  • Starring: Adeel Akhtar, Riz Ahmed
  • Summary: Four Lions is a whip-smart laugh out loud comedy that illuminates the war on terror through satire and farce. Blitzing the notion that a comedy about jihadists is a contradiction in terms, the film grossed an astounding £3M at the UK box office and was hailed by critics as “a brilliant film lm – astonishingly funny” causing “so many different kinds of laughter its almost incredible”. (Drafthouse Films) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 28
  2. Negative: 2 out of 28
  1. Reviewed by: Richard Corliss
    Nov 13, 2010
    100
    What explosive mischief might they create? That's the premise of Morris' brilliantly incendiary new comedy Four Lions.
  2. Reviewed by: Dana Stevens
    Nov 12, 2010
    80
    The very existence of Four Lions is an act of audacity; the fact that it's also smart, humane, and frequently hilarious is nothing short of a miracle.
  3. Reviewed by: Nicolas Rapold
    Nov 3, 2010
    60
    While these ninnies' antics and banter are remarkably entertaining, the quality of the satire depends on when the movie is sending up ludicrous extremist logic and when it's just engaging in repetitive buffoonery.
  4. Reviewed by: Joe Morgenstern
    Nov 4, 2010
    30
    The only reason to see it is Riz Ahmed's performance as Omar, the supposed brains of the operation. Mr. Ahmed reminded me a bit of Robert Carlyle. He's dynamic, quick-tongued and intense. And much too classy for this tatty room.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. I believe the people who label this film offensive or hurtful almost definitely haven't seen it. With a superb and extremely witty writing team of Bain and Armstrong (Peep Show) and a practically perfect directorial debut for Morris (Brass Eye), Four Lions was the best black comedy, with relevance to today's culture, that I have seen in years and the Best British Film of 2010. Although no Oscars will probably come it's way, due to a sensitive American audience, the likelihood of a BAFTA isn't completely idiotic. In fact, it's probably a good idea. Expand
  2. CBZ
    8
    Great movie. it brings humor to a very touchy topic, in a very correct way. Its not meant to offend anyone.
    I believe the underlying message i
    s that a few ignorants don't represent a whole group. Expand
  3. 7
    This film was more emotional than I thought it would be and shed light on some of the more taboo topics in today's society. It was funny in places but not as funny as some would have you believe. Still I thought it was a good film and enjoyed the emotional arc upon which the character's take as you watch them on their journey through their despicable plans. Expand
  4. 4
    First, the movie is nearly unintelligible because the English accents are so thick. I think I missed half the movie because I just couldn't understand what the characters said. However, the movie is seriously unfunny and borderline racist. While I understand this is a black comedy, the difference between this and, say, Fargo, (a truly masterful black comedy) is substantial. The specter of innocents being obliterated by bumbling jihadists is simply too gruesome to be truly funny. A disturbing work that epitomizes "too soon." Expand

See all 16 User Reviews

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