51
Metascore
20 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 75Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertChicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertPoetic Justice is not ["Boyz N the Hood's"] equal, but does not aspire to be; it is a softer, gentler film, more of a romance than a commentary on social conditions.
- 67Austin ChronicleAustin ChronicleSubtitled “A Street Romance,” writer-director Singleton's sophomore effort touches the heart more when it's on the street than when it's making romance.
- 63ReelViewsJames BerardinelliReelViewsJames BerardinelliSome of Poetic Justice is quite good, if unspectacular, and the dialogue has a consistent ring of truth.
- 63Rolling StonePeter TraversRolling StonePeter TraversIf Singleton, 25, stumbles, it is over ambition and not the complacency of a new Hollywood hotshot riding a trend.
- 60The New York TimesVincent CanbyThe New York TimesVincent CanbyAlthough its aspirations are high, the film works only fitfully when Mr. Singleton exercises his gift for vernacular speech, for finding the comic undertow in otherwise tragic situations, and even for parody.
- 50Christian Science MonitorDavid SterrittChristian Science MonitorDavid SterrittIts ambitious aims are commendable in themselves, but regrettable since they overinflate what might have been a simpler and better film.
- 42Entertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanEntertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanWith Poetic Justice, John Singleton has (at least temporarily) lost his way, but he may have found an actor [Shakur] who can help lead him back.
- 40Chicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumChicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumThough it's not unlikable, John Singleton's second feature ("Boyz N the Hood" was his first) is an unholy mess in almost every respect.
- 40EmpireAngie ErrigoEmpireAngie ErrigoMade more than two years ago, this is nowhere near as well thought out as its predecessor ["Boyz N The Hood,"] and is far more strained in making its point.
- 10TimeRichard SchickelTimeRichard SchickelWhat must be said is that the new movie is simply awful: poorly structured, vulgarly written, insipidly directed, monotonously performed.