Lord of the Flies

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: March 16, 1990

CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION

49	METASCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Critic Reviews

Critic score Publication By date

Janet Maslin

As directed by Harry Hook, the new Lord of the Flies offers much spectacle for the eye and almost nothing to keep the mind from wandering.

Staff (Not Credited)

The film, simplistically assuming the book's central metaphor to be imperialism - hence the military slant - retains the bare bones of Gollding's narrative, but that's all. There's little attempt to hint at the deeper issues. Read full review

Steve Sonsky

Only on that superficial level does this Lord of the Flies fly. [16 Mar 1990, p.G11]

Michael Upchurch

Like its predecessor, this new screen version of the book may work well enough for those happy with a simple story, simply told. But for Golding fans, it can only feel like another opportunity missed. [16 Mar 1990, p.3]

Rita Kempley

Languidly paced and prettily crafted, it's certainly a scenic adaptation of Golding's novel. But while it's been brought up to date, there's certainly nothing new under this tropical sun. [16 Mar 1990, p.B7]

Staff (Not Credited)

Director Harry Hook’s literal, unimaginative visual approach makes the tale seem mundane and tedious. Read full review

EmpireStaff (Not Credited)

As an outing to complement study of the book the film is worthy enough but curiously less than the sum of its parts. Read full review

Michael Wilmington

This version not only doesn’t surpass or match Brook’s, it makes the material look bad. Read full review

Peter Travers

Hook may keep the action spinning, but the noise you hear isn’t life. It’s the sound of symbols crashing. Read full review

Hal Lipper

Hook is largely failed by his earnest, workmanlike cast of boys who seem painfully aware that Lord of the Flies is an Important Movie. [16 Mar 1990, p.12]