46
Metascore
26 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 60L.A. WeeklyScott FoundasL.A. WeeklyScott FoundasHoot is flatly directed by talk-show-host-turned-sitcom-director Wil Shriner, but the young actors are spirited and appealing, and the movie's low-key anti-establishment posture is vastly preferable to the knee-jerk fulminations of a Michael Moore.
- 58Christian Science MonitorPeter RainerChristian Science MonitorPeter RainerShriner's direction has an Afterschool Special blandness, but those mechanical owls are quite realistic. While the film was in production Hiaasen said that he had "nightmare visions of the gopher in 'Caddyshack.' " He needn't have worried.
- 50The A.V. ClubTasha RobinsonThe A.V. ClubTasha RobinsonThe kids Hoot is aimed at weren't around to see all the previous films it echoes, particularly the toothless Disney live-action films of the '70s. They'll probably like Hoot fine. Everyone else in the audience is likely to nod off and have genial, bland, easygoing dreams.
- 50The Hollywood ReporterMichael RechtshaffenThe Hollywood ReporterMichael RechtshaffenA blandly generic family film.
- 50VarietyJoe LeydonVarietyJoe LeydonSqueaky-clean, family-friendly opus.
- 50Dallas ObserverLuke Y. ThompsonDallas ObserverLuke Y. ThompsonYour individual tolerance for Jimmy Buffett music will determine how well all the scenes set to his music go down.
- 50Chicago TribuneChicago TribuneThe songs take some of the sting out of the numerous scenes involving alligators, snakes, attack dogs and bullies. Yet in their lazy way, they're one more reminder that kids are better off with a book than a middling movie adaptation of a book.
- 50The New York TimesLawrence Van GelderThe New York TimesLawrence Van GelderThis sweet-natured but plodding adaptation of a young-adult novel by Carl Hiaasen could have used a little less broad satire of corporate greed and a few more, well, owls.
- 40Austin ChronicleAustin ChronicleEarnest, playful and eco-friendly, Hoot is a worthwhile visit for the tween set, but parents may role their eyes more than once at this flightless film.
- 25Entertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanEntertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanDon't let the Carl Hiaasen pedigree fool you: Hoot is an Afterschool Special too crummy to give a hoot about.