Tyson
Metascore
83 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
view
per page
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    A documentary with no pretense of objectivity. Here is Mike Tyson's story in his own words, and it is surprisingly persuasive.
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Mick LaSalle
    100
    Toback has found a documentary subject as tragic and ridiculous, as bizarre and driven, as the heroes of his other films.
  3. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: Michael Sragow
    100
    What emerges is a fallen warrior's tale: the inside story of a man bloodied and bowed.
  4. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    100
    The result is an often-anguished monologue built on pride, despair and self-defense. Accuracy aside, Tyson does work hard to analyze his own, clearly complex character. So while we only get half the picture, it makes for consistently compelling viewing.
  5. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: David Edelstein
    90
    No filmmaker I know has gotten as close to a professional athlete as James Toback gets to Mike Tyson in his new documentary.
  6. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Scott Foundas
    90
    Tyson is more like a particularly riveting therapy session, with Tyson as both analyst and patient.
  7. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    90
    The result is as gripping as a title fight and as mesmerizing as a conversation with a cobra. You may not be happy with everything said, but you will not be bored.
  8. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: A.O. Scott
    90
    Mr. Toback's film, partly because it restricts itself to Mr. Tyson's point of view, offers a rare and vivid study in the complexity of a single suffering, raging soul. It is not an entirely trustworthy movie, but it does feel profoundly honest.
  9. Newsweek
    Reviewed by: Allison Samuels
    90
    An extraordinary documentary.
  10. Variety
    Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    90
    By getting Tyson to open up as he has, Toback has succeeded in illuminating one of the most polarizing, complex and -- the film almost forces one to admit -- misunderstood figures of our time.
  11. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    88
    You won't know what hit you after watching Tyson. This power punch to the gut is one of the best movies of any kind this year.
  12. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    88
    Terrifically compelling and, more than that, unexpectedly moving.
  13. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    83
    No other sporting figure has ever been afforded so much screen time for self-revelation: just another instance of Iron Mike's one-of-a-kind status.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. spadenx
    8
    It was an interesting movie and it did a good job giving us insight on one of the greatest boxers of all time. Tyson is definently worth watching if you are a fan of Mike Tyson or boxing in general.… Full Review »
  2. j30
    8
    A well made documentary about one of the most misunderstood sports figure in history.
  3. Discerning
    9
    A powerful, compelling documentary told in Tyson's own words. Excellent cinematography, used mostly to underline the many (and conflicted) aspects of the film's subject. The film focuses on both the personal and professional life of Tyson, conveying the links between the two with compassion and, at times, humour. This is truly an authentic autobiography, as the fillmmaker (a long-time friend of Tyson) let the boxer tell his own story. Is this the only story of Tyson, or an entirely objective telling of his life? It may not be, but it is highly candid and genuine. It is neither a paean to the greatness of the man at his peak nor a salacious "tell-all" appealing to the gossip crowd. This documentary is a thoughtful meditation on character, excellence, boxing, and an insecure man who has been betrayed countless times.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »