Paparazzi

Film Threat Rick Kisonak

This is a film which resonates on a surprising number of levels. But the level on which it undoubtedly works best is the victim-goes-postal-and-takes-the-law-into-his-own-hands level.

Dallas Observer Luke Y. Thompson

A surprisingly efficient B-grade revenge pic.

Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas

It was shrewdly written by Forrest Smith and directed crisply by Paul Abascal (Gibson's onetime hairdresser) for maximum visceral impact upon the susceptible.

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

It doesn't take long for the film to devolve into a ludicrously far-fetched Celebrity Death Wish.

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

In essence this is a celebrity revenge fantasy, something few of us can relate to, but director Paul Abascal has the sense to keep the homilies short and the pacing fast.

New York Daily News Jack Mathews

Paparazzi is for anyone who's ever wondered how good it would feel to knock down a photographer with his car and then back over him.

New York Post Megan Lehmann

A throwback to the kind of '80s action flicks that had titles like "Adrenaline Force," is enlivened by a raft of celebrity cameos, including a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance by Gibson.

The New York Times Dave Kehr

Amazingly arrogant, immoral film.

Village Voice Ben Kenigsberg

Cookie-cutter "Cape Fear" knockoff.

The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt

First-time director Paul Abascal brings no style or personality to this B-movie exercise. Except for Farina, the actors go through the paces as if they too lack conviction in the proceedings.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Scott Tobias

Paparazzi follows the vigilante playbook in all its banality, without much in the way of moral reflection.

LA Weekly Robert Abele

In producer Mel Gibson's second crackpot persecution-complex film of 2004 -- heat-blast directed by first-timer Paul Abascal -- it's obvious who Bo is supposed to represent.

Variety Joe Leydon

Visually uninspired and dramatically overheated, Paparazzi has overall look and feel of generic direct-to-video production.

Premiere Peter Debruge

In the age of reality television, Paparazzi feels desperately out-of-touch, the jaded grousings of an industry burnout.

ReelViews James Berardinelli

One has the sense that if the level of violence had been ratcheted up a little, Paparazzi might have been more of a guilty pleasure and less of a chore to watch.

TV Guide Maitland McDonagh

This mean-spirited revenge story would once have starred Cole Hauser's father, veteran B-movie psycho Wings Hauser, and played grindhouses and drive-ins. And it would have been a far more entertaining picture.

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

All this would be fine if the script by Forrest Smith had more wit and fewer clichés, or the direction by former makeup artist Abascal had more inventiveness.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Stephen Cole

There is no energy here. No sense of movie invention or fun.