8 Mile
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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 285 Ratings

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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Joe Morgenstern
    100
    Transcends its star's controversial career and, in the bargain, stands head, shoulders and heart above every other Hollywood movie that we've seen so far this year.
    All this critic's reviews
  2. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    90
    This is about the rise of a pop star, plain and simple. The real deal –- and the movie's greatest fun –- is in the rap contests.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Nathan Rabin
    90
    The film's absolute conviction keeps it from feeling formulaic.
  4. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    75
    As is usually the case with a well made sports movie, you don't have to appreciate the particular sport in order to enjoy the movie. 8 Mile has not been made solely with fans of hip-hop music in mind.
  5. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    75
    Eminem survives the X-ray truth-telling of the movie camera, which is so good at spotting phonies. He is on the level.
  6. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Foreman
    75
    What makes 8 Mile transcend the formulaic nature of its plot is the way it makes these rap competitions compelling even for those unfamiliar with rap music, and its scrupulous, loving rendition of a grim, wintry Detroit circa 1995.
  7. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Rick Kisonak
    40
    The film has brief flashes of believability and humor. By and large, though, the script is uninspired, the picture's characters are stick figures, its dialogue is lackluster and the star's performance seldom rises above the adequate.

See all 38 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 109 out of 124
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 124
  3. Negative: 8 out of 124
  1. Tye
    Jan 1, 2007
    10
    Incredible. The not just the best movie about music ever, but the best single movie ever. Period.
  2. iAGR
    Nov 16, 2011
    10
    Exciting, depressing, emotional, moving, amazing. This is the kinda movie you want to see, whether you liked rap or not. The feelings really get to you in this movie. Definitely one of my all-time favorites. It's one of those type of movies where a "bullied kid" gets somewhere and shows all of those bullies who he is, and how they can't stand up to him. Great movie! And even greater with Eminem in it.… Expand
  3. Moviebuffreview
    Mar 15, 2011
    10
    Let's get one thing out of the way first: Yes, I am an Eminem fan. However, rap is not the only genre I like, and some rap artists make me sick like some people. I listen to just about any genre as long as the music is good, and I am a fan of other bests of different genres, even for orchestrated. 8 Mile was hyped up for a while and I never got to see it, and I thought it would just be a typical tale of Eminem trying to become a rapper. But it isn't, and it is a much bigger movie and in my opinion, one of the best of 2002. Thanks to an excellent script, the grittiness, the message, and the fantastic performances, even from Eminem, 8 Mile is an excellent movie that borrows script ideas from great movies, perfects them and is special in its own way. SEE IT!… Expand
  4. Caestus
    Mar 7, 2013
    9
    A very good movie. I liked the battles and the soundtrack
  5. kublay0880
    Dec 10, 2012
    8
    Eminem it's not an actor and that's for sure, the movie lacks a lot of things but what I loved about the movie it's that the movie has a message and it transmits this message in a very powerful way, and through the life of a music star and of a regular working-class guy. Raw and memorable moments you will find in this movie. You don't need to be an Eminem fan to appreciate it.… Expand
  6. grandpajoe6191
    Dec 4, 2011
    7
    "8 Mile", a rap semi-biography film, surprisingly springs up to a masterful level where only a few newbie-movies achieve. Is it because of the grim environment and, although formulaic, a appealing story? Yes, but it's mostly because of Eminem's powerful, absorbing performance. I DEMAND A SEQUEL!!!… Expand
  7. jado818
    Feb 5, 2013
    2
    A film about a group of unsuccessful and angry young adults who like to rap. If you aren't an Eminem fan don't watch this movie. The ending of the movie resolved none of the difficulties the characters face and seemed pointless.… Expand

See all 124 User Reviews

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