Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Nov 28, 2020 3/10

The location is still just as tragic and absorbing, but the story often wanders into the realm of generic action flicks.

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Brian D. Johnson Maclean's Magazine Nov 30, 2017

The actors are strong, the sense of location is vividly authentic, but the script is disjointed.

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Mark Holcomb Time Out Nov 17, 2011 4/5

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James Verniere Boston Herald Apr 13, 2011 B-

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Dan DiNicola The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY) Apr 13, 2011

City of Men does not have that piercing naturalistic horror and drive of its predecessor. But it stands on its own as a chronicle of enduring friendship in impossibly horrid circumstances.

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Jonathan Kiefer Sacramento News & Review Apr 13, 2011 3/5

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Cynthia Fuchs Common Sense Media Dec 15, 2010 4/5

Powerful melodrama mixes violence, messages.

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Mike Scott Times-Picayune Sep 4, 2009 2/4

Despite its sincerity -- and the beautiful visuals -- the often-disjointed story takes too long to gain traction.

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Nora Lee Mandel Film-Forward.com Dec 17, 2008 8/10

A must for fans of the TV series, as it continues the unique formula of mixing fun, fantasy, fear, and frankness, for 2 young men barely surviving to adulthood together.

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Xan Brooks Guardian Oct 18, 2008 2/5

It's all perfectly serviceable -- but it wants for freshness and vitality.

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Jeff Vice Deseret News (Salt Lake City) Oct 18, 2008 3/4

Both Silva and Cunha (who reprise their roles from the television show) do make compelling leads and their performances add needed weight and shadings to their underwritten characters.

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Andrew L. Urban Urban Cinefile Sep 18, 2008

Where City of God provided a heartbreaking insight into Rio's flavelas and gang warfare . . . this film ends up more like a standard buddy movie set against a gangland battle scene

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Austin Kennedy Sin Magazine Jul 22, 2008 2.5/4

It's decent enough but I just wish that it tried for something a little more fresh.

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Matthew Turner ViewLondon Jul 18, 2008 4/5

An engaging and frequently tense drama with terrific performances from its two young leads.

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Ian Freer Empire Magazine Jul 18, 2008 3/5

The likable performances, hot, sweaty atmosphere and decently mounted action scenes make this entertaining fare.

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Jules Brenner Cinema Signals Jul 5, 2008 3/5

Despite considerable dramatic interest, Morelli's loose, lengthy structure makes it a labor to hang in with.

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David N. Butterworth rec.arts.movies.reviews Apr 2, 2008 3/4

More bronzed bodies bearing arms leading to inevitable shootouts delivered via a washed-out, hand-held digital style pulsing along to an infectious Latin beat.

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Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) Mar 26, 2008 4/5

The film's overriding message that love and friendship exist under the most hopeless of circumstances is what makes City of Men such a worthy, compelling drama.

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KJ Doughton Film Threat Mar 25, 2008 3.5/5

Some might perceive City of Men as a slow film, while others could reasonably argue that Morelli is taking more time to develop characters.

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Matt Brunson Creative Loafing Mar 16, 2008 2/4

[One] plotline ends with a twist that doubtless felt more authentic in the halls of a film school than it would on the streets of Rio de Janeiro.

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