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War Dance
Metascore
68 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
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  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Rachel Howard
    100
    Beautifully filmed.
  2. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    100
    Documentary filmmakers Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine found an ingenious way to tell their story in a film that is as unflinching as it is uplifting.
  3. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    88
    This War/Dance is among the most affecting films I've seen all year; it cuts to the core of being and gives individual faces to sorrow and to hope.
  4. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: Peter Rainer
    83
    The filmmaking style is annoyingly slick, but the testimonies of these children are excruciatingly moving.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    80
    An enormously emotional and spirit-raising documentary.
  6. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Ann Hornaday
    80
    This is documentary-making at its best, not pretending to be journalism, but still playing a crucial role in telling stories that otherwise wouldn't make the front page.
  7. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    75
    Overly polished, but deeply affecting, documentary.
  8. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Carrie Rickey
    75
    Documents the emotional and spiritual journey of three orphans.
  9. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Jennie Punter
    75
    This film offers a child's perspective on the ravages and complexity of war and is also a convincing testament to the healing power of creative expression.
  10. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Justin Lowe
    70
    A refreshingly upbeat film that finds its roots in some seriously sobering events.
  11. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: David Edelstein
    70
    For these kids to sing and dance with all their hearts, they need to go to a place in themselves that should be closed down forever. The glories of War/Dance are torturously won, and all the more glorious for it.
  12. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    70
    War/Dance, in spite of its slickness, is an honorable, sometimes inspiring exploration of the primal healing power of music and dance in an African tribal culture.
  13. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: J.R. Jones
    70
    Once the competition arrives, the premise begins to suggest a marketing hook--it's "Spellbound" meets "The Devil Came on Horseback"!--but by then it's already served its purpose, imposing some structure around memories that would drive anyone mad.
  14. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marc Savlov
    67
    "It's difficult for people to believe our story," says one kid, succinctly, eloquently, "but if we don't tell you, you won't know."
  15. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Marc Mohan
    67
    Isn't meant to be a depressing experience, as each of these unfortunate souls recovers a sense of pride in themselves and their tribe through music.
  16. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    50
    Even in support of the noblest of causes, manipulation is manipulation.
  17. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Andrew O'Hehir
    50
    It's the film's reassuring, almost hypnotic visual rhythms, along with its Hollywood-like narrative structure -- which is closer to "Drumline" or "Bring It On" than to most documentaries -- that make it bearable.
  18. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Jim Ridley
    40
    The movie comes across as desperately, even irritatingly contrived, but I'd be lying if I didn't say it overcame my naturally complacent instincts--which would be to watch something (anything) else, to not get haunted by that closing litany of websites for global action.
  19. Variety
    Reviewed by: John Anderson
    40
    While the pic may be targeting Westerners who want to feel less awful about genocide and global negligence, it's hard to imagine War Dance appealing to that crowd -- or any other.
  20. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Bill White
    25
    Exploitive while it pretends to be empathetic.
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.8 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. ChadS.
    8
    Nancy is Ugandian. Her mother, too. The filmmakers are from the west. The two African women want to please their new "friends". Neither woman, nor child, understands that they have the right to stop the cameras from rolling, when grief overcomes them, in a place where no documentary film crew has the right to be, arguably. This depends on the circumstances behind the mother and daughter's return to the site of their slain loved one. Was it an organic move, or were the two women prompted to revisit the past for dramatic purposes? We're likely to believe the latter, because "War Dance", at times, feels staged, feels a little off. In their own words, the principal Ugandian victims tell their respective stories, while the camera seems to be exploring the commercial possibilities of a narrative film, as we get lovely close-ups of the African flora. "War Dance" overreaches with its poetic aspirations. It's too clever, by half. The camerawork suggests a walking tour into the heart of darkness. A subtle nod to the Joseph Conrad novel, perhaps, this literary reference is ironic because the oppressor have the same skin color as the oppressed. Despite the filmmaker's Terrence Malick-complex, despite the need to pump up the volume on the self-evident tragedy-of-it-all, there is the music and dance festival, which is the most thrilling spectacle of the human spirit you'll see all year. Unless you're dead, their performance will move you to tears.… Full Review »
  2. NicoleT.
    10
    This is one of the most amazing films I've seen. I am appalled at the things happening in Uganda. Beautiful children.
  3. J.B.
    9
    Honest, compelling story of how the human spirit can persevere and overcome even the most horrendous events imaginable. Exceptionally beautiful and buoyant without minimizing the tragedy. Can fill a viewer with great respect, admiration and love for these children.… Full Review »
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