Mallrats

Film Threat Michael Dequina

Sophomoric silliness.

Washington Post Hal Hinson

The movie is a piece of junk...However, it's also immensely likable and hysterically, irreverently funny.

Time Richard Corliss

The humor is gross-out but inoffensive, since it's rooted in whimsy, not malice. Smith finesses the sophomore jinx with sophomoric high jinks. [6 Nov 1995]

Variety Leonard Klady

While admittedly ragged and ribald, it's a picture with an innate charm and honesty that should win over audiences.

USA Today Staff [Not Credited]

The slapstick would put Curly and Moe to shame. The raunch is crude as often as it is clever.

ReelViews James Berardinelli

There are several painfully awkward "dead spots" in Mallrats where nothing works -- not the dialogue, the acting, or the direction.

The New York Times Elvis Mitchell

Mallrats mixes clever bits and an appealing quirkiness (which goes a long way) with gross-out practical jokes, needless repetition and obvious padding, since it has no real plot. [20 Oct 1995]

Washington Post Desson Thomson

I'm guessing even die-hard "Clerks" fans will find this only-in-America stuff only partially satisfying, like something they gorged on at the Eatery, then wished they hadn't.

Austin Chronicle Alison Macor

While Smith's testosterone-loaded humor is a taste I have yet to acquire, his choices of a comic book-inspired credit sequence, the guest appearance of Marvel Comics genius Stan Lee, and the film's overall superhero aesthetic perfectly capture the mall mise-en-scene.

San Francisco Chronicle Peter Stack

Strains through buckets of verbiage and muddled plot to seize only a few dopey laughs.

Entertainment Weekly Staff (Not Credited)

A hopelessly stupid movie that should appeal to baked couch potatoes everywhere.

Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum

As an "Animal House" romp about consumer slackers in a New Jersey mall, it's harmless enough--just don't expect any sort of edge. Smith has left the working class to become just as boring as everybody else.

TV Guide Staff (Not Credited)

Smith brazenly ignores plot conventions and concentrates on an apparently endless stream of crude and occasionally clever one-liners.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Liam Lacey

Talky, crude and sexist, Mallrats is significantly less funny, a flatulent sequel to the director's small start.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

"Clerks" spoke with the sure, clear voice of an original filmmaker. In Mallrats the voice is muffled, and we sense instead advice from the tired, the establishment, the timid and other familiar Hollywood executive types.

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

Serves up horrendous lead acting, murky cinematography, bland atmosphere, unengaging romance, mug-crazy cameo performances, bash-on-the-head satire and ill-timed slapstick gags that look like outtakes from a Bozo the Clown show gone berserk. [20 Oct 1995]

San Francisco Examiner Walter Addiego

A complete misfire.

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

A numbing and dispiriting experience aimed at the least discriminating parts of the teen-age audience.