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Mystery, Alaska
Metascore
49 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 29
  3. Negative: 3 out of 29
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  1. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Diana Abu-Jaber
    83
    The humor sizzles.
  2. Film.com
    Reviewed by: Tom Keogh
    80
    Drama, swift action, and low-key, character-driven comedy.
  3. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    75
    Does offer solid laughs, engaging performances and a captivating setting.
  4. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Peter Stack
    75
    Scores big as a study of small-town life where characters collide and are forced to get along for the good of the community.
  5. Dallas Observer
    Reviewed by: Bill Gallo
    70
    Its loose-limbed sweetness and gruff irreverence are just right.
  6. Film.com
    Reviewed by: Sean Means
    70
    Raucously funny.
  7. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    70
    An upbeat meat-and-potatoes movie.
  8. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    63
    Could metamorphose into an entertaining sitcom.
  9. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Jay Carr
    63
    Individual performances...are flavorful and simpatico.
  10. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: Chris Kaltenbach
    63
    Unwaveringly predictable.
  11. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Paula Nechak
    58
    Disney seems intent upon overdosing audiences with the little guy proving himself against a seemingly superior force.
  12. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: John Petrakis
    50
    Has the potential to be much more than it is, especially with the collection of able actors on hand.
  13. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Jack Mathews
    50
    Some terrific characters and some of the year's punchiest comic dialogue.
  14. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Desmond Ryan
    50
    Yet another Hollywood serving of everyman pluck, sports division.
  15. San Francisco Examiner
    Reviewed by: Edvins Beitiks
    50
    Not as predictable as the rest of its ilk.
  16. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Susan Wloszczyna
    50
    If you drop the "c" in hockey you get a perfect description of Mystery, Alaska.
  17. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    50
    The enterprise might also be called ''Picket Fences on Ice."
  18. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Chris Colin
    50
    There's no buildup, just emotional peak after emotional peak.
  19. Film.com
    Reviewed by: John Hartl
    50
    Crowe gives the kind of thoughtful performance that suggests what Mystery, Alaska could have been if it had stayed in focus.
  20. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    50
    It is Australian Crowe, a previous non-skater, who gives the film's standout performance.
  21. Variety
    Reviewed by: Robert Koehler
    50
    Relies on ensemble allure, with mixed results.
  22. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Lisa Alspector
    50
    Nothing's wrong with this movie--the hockey footage is exciting, the characters quirky, the subplots idiosyncratic--but nothing's special about it either.
  23. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Maitland McDonagh
    40
    There are people who eat this kind of thing right up -- if you're one of them, dig in.
  24. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Hazel-Dawn Dumpert
    40
    Thoroughly mediocre.
  25. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Jessica Winter
    40
    Slack, saccharine script.
  26. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    40
    We know the story will conclude with a crescendo of frozen-north hallelujahs. Cheering is endemic to Disney. They can't help themselves.
  27. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marc Savlov
    30
    The bottom line with the film is that there's just no damn mystery about it.
  28. Mr. Showbiz
    Reviewed by: Cody Clark
    29
    Has its share of small pleasures.
  29. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Curtis Morgan
    25
    Humdrum hybrid of stale sitcom characters and creaky sports cliches.
    All this critic's reviews
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. davei.
    9
    You will love this movie if you are a hockey fan. Yes it is a bit predictable But I still rate it above 95% of sports movies.
  2. Myles#13
    7
    A Disney movie that somehow both exceeds and falls below expectations... the idea is kind of a neat original thought, but the execution falls a bit short. Action scenes are VERY quick, and believe me; you will grow to HATE some of the characters (even if you're not meant to). That said, it is a neat little hockey flick and worth a view or two.… Full Review »
  3. RayS.
    9
    Very entertaining movie filled with quirky humor, stars like Crowe, Burt Reynolds, and others. With some minor changes, this movie could have been rated PG and aimed at families, with positive results. My kids loved it, but I had to fast forward through a few areas. Since it came from Disney, I don't understand their reasoning. Anyway, well worth the 2 hours. Enjoy.… Full Review »
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