After much hype from Universal Pictures, Angelina Jolie‘s “Unbroken” finally hits theaters on Christmas Day — but is it any good?
According to the critics counted on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s fine, but probably not the awards contender the studio was hoping for. Although declared “rotten” with a 48 percent critic approval rating, individual reviews seem to be filled with mixed emotions that should boost Jolie’s confidence behind the camera, and star Jack O’Connell‘s in front of it.
TheWrap‘s Alonso Duralde, for example, found the movie flawed, but full of strengths that will hopefully carry on to Jolie’s third directorial effort, “By the Sea.”
“There are powerful moments in ‘Unbroken,’ to be sure, but it also feels like the kind of generically grand-scale movie that five other directors could have made in exactly the same way,” Duralde wrote in his review. “Ultimately, the strengths of ‘Unbroken’ far outweigh its flaws; given that we know the fate of its protagonist, Jolie keeps us engaged in his travails, which the similarly-themed ‘Rosewater’ didn’t manage to do.
“It’s a handsome production, featuring a fine ensemble (that also includes Garrett Hedlund) who remain on-point through what must have been difficult filming circumstances, as well as a potent reminder that the Second World War, for all the glamorizing it endured over the ensuing decades, was as horrifying and devastating as any other conflict in human history.”
Entertainment Weekly critic Chris Nashawaty praised O’Connell’s turn as real-life war hero and Olympic athlete Louis Zamperini, and but wanted more “spark of danger” from Jolie behind the camera.
“[Jolie] turns the undeniably inspiring true story of Louie Zamperini into an oddly old-fashioned drama. It’s gorgeously shot and beautifully acted, and it has moments of heartbreaking poignancy, but it’s also nearly suffocated by its own nobility,” Nashawaty wrote. “O’Connell, a real star on the rise who bristled with mad-dog menace in the recent prison drama ‘Starred Up,’ is totally hypnotic. And the physical deprivation he underwent for the role is impressive. I just wish that Jolie’s film had the same rawness. Instead, it’s moving, admirable, and occasionally exhilarating.”
USA Today critic Claudia Puig extended many of the same compliments, but pointed out a major flaw: It’s “slow to the point of tedium.”
“Perhaps fewer scenes chronicling his torturous days at the prison camp and a conclusion that included his attempts at reconciliation would have made the story more compelling,” Puig wrote. “A closing shot of the real Zamperini, at 80, running at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan, is deeply moving. He died earlier this year at 97. A documentary featuring his personal recollections might have been more fascinating than this big Hollywood movie. Though O’Connell’s vulnerable lead performance is terrific, ‘Unbroken’s’ unrestrained hero worship undermines the story.”
LA Weekly critic Amy Nicholson found that Jolie’s approach to telling the powerful story of an Olympian lost at sea, and then brutally tortured by the Japanese was a touch too brutal for her taste.
“Jolie is more fixated on gore than grace. In making us feel every crushing blow — the better to burnish her reputation as a serious director — we’re shortchanged on the beauty of Zamperini’s story, and we exit blinking into the theater lobby with our hands still clenched in fists,” Nicholson wrote. “‘Unbroken’ wants it all: the big cinematography, the close-up grit, the postcard flashbacks and the grisly Götterdämmerung that earns directors awards. But it aches for a lighter touch — the facts of Zamperini’s life more than stand on their own.”
Digital Spy critic Simon Reynolds was particularly impressed with the picture, shot by cinematographer Roger Deakins — an 11-time Oscar nominee — and recommended it wholeheartedly to those voting for this year’s Academy Awards.
“‘Unbroken’ looks poised to break into the Best Picture Oscar race. Trauma cuts deep into the heart of its hero, but the intensity never ratchets up to a level that’s likely to put off the silver-haired Academy voters who hold plenty of sway,” Reynolds wrote. “Perhaps the most impressive thing about “Unbroken” is how comfortable Jolie seems behind the camera. This has an old school classic Hollywood feel, its story an eclectic mash-up of ‘Chariots of Fire,’ ‘Jaws’ and ‘Bridge on the River Kwai.’ This is all well-worn territory, however it’s still accomplished enough to suggest acting’s loss could ultimately be cinema’s long-term gain.”
15 Movies You Already Forgot About: TheWrap's Best & Worst 2014 (Photos)
"I, Frankenstein": Alternatively titled, "I, Forgot This Move Ever Existed," the modern take on Mary Shelley's horror icon is most memorable for being a bad idea star Aaron Eckhart probably already turned into a repressed memory.
Lionsgate
"The Monuments Men": What happens when director and star George Clooney recruits acting titans Bill Murray, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman and recent Best Actor Oscar winner Jean Dujardin to make a World War II drama? Critics write bad reviews, and the Nazis lose, or something. It's hard to remember more than that, since Clooney's BFF Brad Pitt put out a much better entry in the same genre eight months later.
Columbia Pictures
"Pompeii": This Carrie-Ann Moss and Kit Harington disaster flick about ancient Rome feels like ancient history, but it actually hit theaters in Feb. 2014. We're sure Sony Picture Entertainment would love for all traces of the seismic flop to be buried under a mountain of ash -- much like Pompeii was itself -- and permanently forgotten.
Sony Pictures
"The Pyramid": This found-footage thriller was dead upon arrival when it opened wide on Dec. 12. Fortunately for first-time director Gregory Levasseur, he wrote the screenplays for "High Tension" and "The Hills Have Eyes" remake, which will hold a place in horror history for years to come.
Twentieth Century Fox
"Men, Women & Children": Director Jason Reitman earned rave reviews for "Thank You for Smoking," "Juno" and "Up in the Air." His latest effort, however, failed to impress critics. Even the trailer failed to impress viewers, because it only grossed $1.7 million worldwide.
Paramount Pictures
"The Legend of Hercules": Not one but two movies about legendary Greek mythology hero Hercules came out this year, but neither made much of a splash. Kellan Lutz never had a chance with "The Legend of Hercules," which had a January release, but maybe he can rest easy knowing that even Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's August "Hercules" came and went without anyone noticing.
Summit Entertainment
"Need for Speed": A popular video game franchise, cool car chase and Jesse Pinkman from "Breaking Bad" sure seemed like a recipe for success, but the video game adaptation failed to create much excitement amongst any of the various fan groups that DreamWorks and Disney were banking on.
Walt Disney
"Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit": Tom Clancy's famous literary spy Jack Ryan has been on screen so many times -- played by A-list leading men Harrison Ford, Alec Baldwin and Ben Affleck -- that a new iteration seemed inevitable. But then director Kenneth Branagh's reboot starring Chris Pine came and went without many people noticing. Expect another reboot before you see a sequel.
Paramount Pictures
"Blended": Third time was definitely not the charm for Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. While the Warner Bros. comedy tripled its budget at the box office, it will only be remembered for being one of Sandler's worst comedies yet, providing audiences didn't immediately wipe it from their memory when they walked out of the theater.
Warner Bros.
"Walk of Shame": Elizabeth Banks should actually be grateful that this movie has already escaped the minds of moviegoers, because the reviews weren't just bad -- they were atrocious.
Focus Features
"Into the Storm": Who can forget that flying cow in "Twister"? The giant tidal wave crushing Téa Leoni in "Deep Impact"? Or Steven Tyler's vocals in "Armageddon"? Now who can remember the names of the actors that ventured "Into the Storm" for Warner Bros. last summer?
Warner Bros.
"As Above, So Below": You can't tell from the title, but this is a found footage horror movie about people exploring the catacombs beneath the streets of Paris. And if you didn't know that, then you can probably also tell it didn't do very well in theaters.
Universal Pictures
"Brick Mansions": People are too busy looking forward to seeing Paul Walker's final performance in "Furious 7" to remember his in the American remake of French action flick "District B13."
Relativity Media
"Before I Go to Sleep": This psychological thriller boasted a star-studded cast, including Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth and Mark Strong, yet it only made $15 million worldwide when released in October.
Clarius Entertainment
"The Good Lie": This Warner Bros. release starring Reese Witherspoon actually earned rave reviews. Too bad it only earned $2.6 million at the box office. Luckily, Witherspoon managed to generate some awards buzz and secure a Golden Globe nomination for a different drama the critics loved.
Warner Bros.
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Remember when Aaron Eckhart played Frankenstein’s monster? Neither do we
"I, Frankenstein": Alternatively titled, "I, Forgot This Move Ever Existed," the modern take on Mary Shelley's horror icon is most memorable for being a bad idea star Aaron Eckhart probably already turned into a repressed memory.