Critic Reviews

• Sheila O'Malley, Chicago Sun-Times

  There is much here to admire, but the overall impression is of a film that does not have the courage of its convictions.

• Mick LaSalle, Hearst Newspapers

  Once they go into the woods, the movie becomes as interesting as watching kids hang around and play with sticks.

• Tom Long, Detroit News

  In its small, independent way, "The Kings of Summer" rules.

• Nell Minow, Chicago Sun-Times

  Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts and writer Chris Galletta bring a fresh and sympathetic eye to the story, evoking the pleasure of what feels - for a little while - like endless possibilities.

• Geoff Pevere, Globe and Mail

  The foundation of a much better movie is buried somewhere beneath the debris that's too quickly piled on to The Kings of Summer ...

• Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader

  Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts cut his teeth on network cable series and Internet comedy shorts, and it shows. Instead of developing a genuine perspective he simply repeats the same few stylistic gestures ad infinitum.

• Dave White, Movies.com

  The filmmakers... opt for a mostly witty Sundance-branded coming-of-age sitcom featuring lucky good looks, accelerated maturity, sexual ease, quick wits, cooperative facial hair and a distinct lack of teenage awkwardness.

• Kelly Vance, East Bay Express

  Likable and humane, with telltale hints of a grand scheme.

• Michael Sragow, Orange County Register

  This willfully eccentric tale about teenage boys in suburban Ohio fleeing their families to live in the deep woods plays like an erratic comic revue slapped together at theater camp.

• Rich Heldenfels, Akron Beacon Journal

  A summer pleasure.

• Todd Jorgenson, Cinemalogue.com

  ... refreshing and surprising, charming and poignant, with just enough plausibility in its exaggerated concept to keep moviegoers rooting for its trio of teenage heroes.

• Sam Bathe, Fan The Fire

  The Kings Of Summer is a brilliant, endearing and engaging coming of age comedy, not only the funniest film of the year, but also the best film of the year to date.

• Kam Williams, Sly Fox

  Between a host of memorable performances by a cast of relative newcomers, and a haunting, grungy score, this coming-of-age comedy is a bona fide sleeper not to be missed.

• Susan Granger, SSG Syndicate

  Refreshingly touching and genuinely funny coming-of-age story, cleverly capturing a poignant, formative interlude.

• Chris Knight, National Post

  Why not go out on a limb and call it the next summer classic?

• Steve Davis, Austin Chronicle

  The tone of The Kings of Summer is unique: Stand by Me by way of Napoleon Dynamite.

• Al Alexander, The Patriot Ledger

  It's basically 'Stand by Me' for dummies. And I'm betting even the 'dummies' will get wise fast to the fact that the only throne 'Kings' is worthy of sitting upon is constructed of porcelain.

• Cary Darling, Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

  The Kings of Summer is the cinematic equivalent of an Arctic-cold popsicle on a Sahara-hot day. Refreshing and satisfying but not overly sentimental, the film taps into the frustrations of adolescence with warmth and wit.

• Teddy Durgin, Screen It!

  This just could have been so much more. In fact, it SHOULD have been so much more. (Complete Content Details for Parents are also available)

• Mark Dujsik, Mark Reviews Movies

  There's something to be said for restraint, even when dealing with impulsive characters in a carefree scenario.

Read all 21 critic reviews