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Sydney White
Metascore
45 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 21
  3. Negative: 3 out of 21
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  1. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Adam Schubak
    75
    I like Amanda Bynes movies…and I'm a dork!
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    67
    "Revenge of the Nerds" is way cooler in its proud defense of geekosity, no question. But anti-ditz role model Amanda Bynes just happens to be cute.
  3. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: Chris Kaltenbach
    67
    The result is a charmer that boldly marches where lesser movies - at least since the heyday of John Hughes - fear to tread.
  4. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Connie Ogle
    63
    Its silly Snow White allusions aside, Sydney White is a simple but amiable modern fairy tale.
  5. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Kyle Smith
    63
    Destined to enchant the slumber parties.
  6. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Laura Kern
    60
    Ms. Bynes, with her cherubic face, expressive eyes and comic timing, helps create a positive, pleasing diversion that caters to the geek in all of us.
  7. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: M. E. Russell
    58
    14-year-old girls will dig its amiable energy.
  8. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Andy Spletzer
    58
    Although Bynes exudes a devil-may-care attitude that is fun to watch, the formulaic movie ultimately falls apart around her.
  9. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Sheri Linden
    50
    Cute and cartoonish rule the day, and teens and tweens will be the film's chief audience.
  10. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen M. Hart
    50
    Director Joe Nussbaum ("Sleepover") doesn't do much with his cast; there's a lot of standing around as he indulges Bynes' tendency to mug.
  11. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    50
    Unfortunately, though, Bynes' persistent mugging only emphasizes Nussbaum's relentlessly cartoonish direction.
  12. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Walter Addiego
    50
    A mediocre college comedy that blends bits of "Revenge of the Nerds," "Mean Girls" and "Legally Blonde" and doesn't have much to show for it.
  13. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    50
    Each twist and turn is so telegraphed and expected that the story feels wan and the comedy feeble.
  14. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Liam Lacey
    50
    For all these references to the fairytale, Sydney White soon takes an easier path, recycling familiar "Mean Girls" and "Revenge of the Nerds" scenarios.
  15. Variety
    Reviewed by: Lael Loewenstein
    50
    Result should satisfy Bynes fans looking for a pleasant, innocuous follow-up to her last vehicle.
  16. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Joshua Katzman
    50
    While the film's premise is shamelessly hokey and Joe Nussbaum's direction is at best pedestrian, props are due the young cast, especially Bynes, whose can-do optimism seems genuine if ultimately overdone.
  17. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Luke Y. Thompson
    40
    Unfortunately, this film doesn't have the cojones to take the fairy tale all the way and have Rachel marry Sydney's dad (or cast actual dwarfs). But director Joe Nussbaum knows his dorkdom, and nails it.
  18. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Jan Stuart
    40
    Sydney White is a carnival of ethnic and social stereotypes that are rising up against the lily-white status quo. In Hollywood, blond princesses and fairy tales die hard.
  19. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    38
    Sydney White makes "Mean Girls" look like Shakespeare.
  20. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Toddy Burton
    30
    It's cheesy and contrived, but even the most watered-down stories retain elements of the original masterpieces.
  21. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Tasha Robinson
    0
    What's the excuse for dumbing down Snow White to moron level? Are there really people out there who thought the original version just didn't have enough toilet jokes?
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 1 out of 2
  1. MarcusA.
    0
    I couldn't stand seeing this movie with 3 good reviews, so I brought it down a peg.
  2. GeorgeO.
    10
    Fun movie with a great message!
See all user reviews »