Critic Reviews

• Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

  Too predictable.

• Peter Howell, Toronto Star

  It's something akin to the earlier films of Spike Lee -- She's Gotta Have It and Crooklyn come to mind -- in that the characters are cherished for their human qualities, not for how well they swagger onto the screen.

• Justin Chang, Variety

  Warner Bros.' low-budget stab at capturing an urban niche audience is higher on stylistic dazzle than originality or coherence, making it an unlikely candidate to bust out of the box office ghetto.

• Ted Fry, Seattle Times

  For a run-of-the-mill hip-hop drama, ATL has some engaging hooks that set it apart from the predictable formula of urban youth struggling to steer clear of crime and pull themselves up to a better life.

• Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle

  The film's special appeal is that while the boys are poor and black, their stories transcend race and socio-economic matters.

• Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

  Making his feature-film debut, music-video director Chris Robinson expertly choreographs the skating sequences, which are exhilarating fun.

• Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

  Amateur camera work and conspicuous plotting reduce the film's regional sensibilities to sleep-inducing pap.

• Kam Williams, AALBC.com

  A tip of the cap to Tip Harris and Lauren London for it is their chemistry and charm which allows one to believe in their tenderhearted romance in an atmosphere where women are regarded as objects and affectionately called 'bitches' and 'hos.'

• Scott Weinberg, DVD Clinic

  A well-meaning and good-hearted urban melodrama -- that doesn't really seem to have anything new to say.

• John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

  I liked ATL for its music and for its all-around good intentions and general amiability. But....

• Todd Jorgenson, Denton Record Chronicle (TX)

  A contradictory approach ultimately muddles the film despite some heartfelt and evocative moments about youngsters growing up on the streets of Atlanta.

• Peter Sobczynski, eFilmCritic.com

  The film that proves that all life's problems can be solved with a montage.

• Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

  ... a surprisingly strong coming-of-age movie with a great young cast. It pops with color and humor and pays attention to the details that situate it in a real location ...

• Jim Lane, Sacramento News & Review

  Director Chris Robinson maintains a light touch, giving the colorful, energetic skating scenes the benefit of his music-video roots, but he doesn't neglect character, drawing sincere performances from his young cast.

• Tim Cogshell, Boxoffice Magazine

  A light urban coming-of-age dramedy where the veneer may be darkly intriguing, but the finish is pure homily, of the sort where lessons are learned and dreams do come true.

• Luke Y. Thompson, Los Angeles CityBeat

  having solidly entertained for most of its running time, goes out in a blaze of cliche

• Thomas Peyser, Style Weekly (Richmond, VA)

  As clich?mount, realism and make-believe jostle against one another more discordantly.

• Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews

  ATL is a likable film with an affirmative and hopeful message about the fate of its main players.

• Stina Chyn, Film Threat

  One cannot ignore or discount that Robinson is not only trying to tell a conventional tale unconventionally, but he is also attempting to put Atlanta on the map of cinematic city characters.

• Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle

  Robinson's film is a cut above the rest, seeming simultaneously wise beyond its years and electrically, youthfully playful.

Read all 25 critic reviews