Critic Reviews

• Sheri Linden, Los Angeles Times

  Too bad, then, that there's no real joy in all the physical business filling the screen, not even in Judy's animated daydreams. Bummer.

• Jennie Punter, Globe and Mail

  The best thing about Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer is the engaging performance of red-haired Aussie starlet Beatty, who will play the titular star in Eloise in Paris. We can only hope that film sticks to the book.

• William Goss, Film.com

  Fun must be won, earned, dominated - it is only through competition that we Moodists may demonstrate our true worth to the fearless leader and her spastic cause.

• Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

  There isn't even, really, any point. There is, however, throw-up, poo, pee and lots of running around and screaming.

• Sandie Angulo Chen, Washington Post

  With summer comes theaters filled with superheroes, sequels and forgettable family fare. In the last category, we find "Judy Moody."

• Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News

  "Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer" isn't just "Rare!," as its title heroine would say - it's a seriously perfect vacation destination.

• Roger Moore, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

  Mild-mannered, kid friendly. Not much there for adults. Except for Heather Graham...

• Austin Kennedy, Sin Magazine

  It's a fun, imaginative movie that is terrific for young kids. I think it encourages children to celebrate creativity.

• Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures

  It's a simple story that treads familiar ground, but it's fun to watch as a family, and it has an impressive amount of energy behind it.

• Philip French, Observer [UK]

  Could be much worse.

• Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile

  A kaleidoscope of bright colours, the best thing about this chirpy comedy for tweens is 12 year old Australian actress Jordana Beatty, whose energy and enthusiasm as the bubbly Judy Moody with the shock of unruly red hair, is contagious

• David Edwards, Daily Mirror [UK]

  Rammed with speech bubbles, text messages and onscreen status updates, this is a cartoonish car crash.

• Derek Malcolm, This is London

  Only the children manage to survive it. The adults are totally plastic throughout.

• Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

  Having a middle-aged male review it is probably ridiculous. So is asking its target audience to listen to a middle-aged male's opinions on the subject.

• Antonia Quirke, Financial Times

  Ought to go down fine with the 10-year-olds it's aimed at.

• Matthew Turner, ViewLondon

  Watchable, sweet natured and fast paced children's comedy enlivened by colourful production design and a charming and likeable performance from newcomer Jordana Beatty...

• Francesca Steele, Sky Movies

  For children, Judy's simple suburban pleasures and unsophisticated emotions and tantrums are something that many of them will relate to.

• Ken McIntyre, Total Film

  Graham is lovely and Beatty a natural, but if you're not seven years old, it's one long headache.

Read all 18 critic reviews