Shorts

Variety Justin Chang

More zippy, diverting fun from Robert Rodriguez's family filmmaking factory.

Miami Herald Connie Ogle

Fast and funny, and grown-ups will not suffer sitting through it.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Jennie Punter

Rodriguez, is a hack in the best sense of the term, often serving as producer, director, writer, shooter and composer – all of which come into play for Shorts .

Chicago Reader Andrea Gronvall

Magic vies with technology in this exuberant adventure comedy, which unfolds achronologically in a series of zany, effects-laden vignettes.

The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt

Adult actors pretty much let the youngsters upstage them. The two leads, Bennett and Vanier, do a nice job holding the center of gravity while the film goes nuts around them. Best of all, Shorts is short, finishing before you can truly get tired of all those wishes gone wrong.

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

Rodriguez’s technical wizardry is less showy here than in his other recent outings, which helps Shorts connect with kids on a basic human level.

Philadelphia Inquirer David Hiltbrand

Like "Jumanji," Shorts runs out of momentum before it's half over. That leaves it treading slapstick and killing time until its strained and preposterous big finish.

USA Today Claudia Puig

Fast-paced, imaginative and often cute, Shorts is slight but enjoyable family fare.

New Orleans Times-Picayune Mike Scott

A satisfying dose of wild imagination and unbridled silliness.

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

Provides just enough smart, silly fun for families desperately seeking an easy (and air-conditioned) escape from hazy August humidity.

NPR Mark Jenkins

A preachy parable of suburban discontent, Shorts probably has enough kid-oriented slapstick to please the under-12 set. But it's not likely to rival writer-director Robert Rodriguez's "Spy Kids" series in long-term appeal.

Village Voice Aaron Hillis

A cute and mildly clever fantasy.

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

More like a summer-camp theater project than a studio movie.

Portland Oregonian M. E. Russell

I'm not sure if parents will be counting out each of Shorts 89 minutes or not, begging for it to end, but I'm guessing 8-year-olds will absolutely love it, because Rodriguez isn't talking down to them or using pop-culture references in place of actual gags; he's making what might be called eye-level children's entertainment.

San Francisco Chronicle Amy Biancolli

It's more of a burst pinata than a story, a wild, kinetic jumble of images, ideas and flying-candy-bar product placement that would offend if it weren't so forthright.

Washington Post Ann Hornaday

If parents feel like they've seen much of Shorts before, its celebration of mayhem and restless, thrill-seeking vibe will absorb young viewers, especially as the boredom of late summer begins to set in.

The New York Times Jeannette Catsoulis

Soon becomes tiresome, but it’s emblematic of a film that is dancing as fast as it can to entertain.

Los Angeles Times Betsy Sharkey

The problem with Shorts is in the execution. The blown-up plot line at times derails even the little ones, the many fine comedic grown-ups are mostly squandered, and the "message" part of the movie feels like it was thrown together during detention, resulting in a wrap-up that is rushed and cloyingly PC.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Keith Phipps

Jon Cryer and Leslie Mann have a couple of sly moments as overworked career people, and Spader again proves he learned a lot by working with William Shatner for so long. But the bottomless slapstick and silly effects quickly grow wearying, as does a cast of young actors whose work can politely be called energetic.

Time Out New York Keith Uhlich

Props should be given to Rodriguez’s breathless “let’s put on a show” inventiveness. Plus, Macy and the booger--kick ass!

Boston Globe Ty Burr

Be warned, though: This is the multiplex equivalent of ADD.

New York Post Kyle Smith

The movie is as lumpy and misshapen as a giant booger.