The Tempest
Metascore
43 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 28
  3. Negative: 6 out of 28
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  1. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Michael O'Sullivan
    Dec 16, 2010
    38
    Boasting a plot that's heavy on the magical shenanigans, this pretty and poetic adaptation of Shakespeare's play is a fantasia for the smart set, a literary novelty for anyone who wants to have fun without giving up food for thought. On that score, at least, it delivers, in spades.
  2. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    Dec 10, 2010
    38
    I found myself wishing that Taymor would turn off the sound and fury and let The Tempest speak for itself. My wish wasn't granted.
  3. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: J.R. Jones
    Dec 16, 2010
    30
    For a filmmaker like Julie Taymor, Shakespeare's language isn't nearly as enticing as Prospero's violent manipulation of the elements, and this screen adaptation of the play-like her egregious Beatles movie "Across the Universe" (2007)-is primarily an exercise in eccentric (and, I would argue, empty) spectacle.
  4. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Joe Neumaier
    Dec 10, 2010
    30
    Less the opulent retelling she (Taymor) intended and more like a high-minded midnight movie, filled with Ricky's-style costumes, black swans, sprites that flit across the screen and a cave filled with boiling beakers.
  5. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    Dec 10, 2010
    25
    A surprisingly unengaging and charmless fantasy from a director whose previous films ("Across the Universe," "Titus," "Frida") were, despite their other issues, never boring.
  6. Time Out New York
    Reviewed by: Joshua Rothkopf
    Dec 7, 2010
    20
    A tiresome mess that's completely bereft of a quiet moment in speech or manner, The Tempest aches for the wisdom of discipline.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 1 out of 2
  1. gazpacho1234
    10
    Great adaptation. Great cast. Djimon Hounsou and Russell Brand are brilliant in their roles. Negative Critics (i.e unimaginative expectationists) are dead wrong. Helen Mirren was great in it. Thoroughly engaging. Great music, singing and dance/visual choreography. Fantastic cinematography.… Full Review »
  2. attachecrime
    3
    As an stage actor playing Caliban currently I would like to say that this movie is deeply flawed. Helen Mirrren is excellent as usual and a great choice for Prospero and stands out among a very uneven cast. The biggest problem with this film is the direction. The visual effects were laughably bad. Much of the movie reads like a perfume commercial. Another huge problem was two of the most important characters in the Tempest, Caliban and Ariel. Both were so downplayed as to almost be nonexistent. A terrible adaptation of an amazing classic with some stand out moments and performances. Overall, a deeply flawed re-imagining.… Full Review »
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