David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Feb 14, 2022 2.5/4

Kicks is not a terrible film. Kicks is an inconsistent film that lost its way. A film whose persistence in grimness takes away from what the viewers should really be concerned with Brandons story.

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David Bax Battleship Pretension Jan 5, 2021

[The] missteps aren't enough, thankfully, to detract from the strong work up to then. In fact, they're just enough to leave you hopeful for how Tipping might grow as a filmmaker...

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Adam Patterson Film Pulse May 2, 2019 8.5/10

A funny, touching and street-smart coming-of-age dramedy that oozes with style and is propelled by an excellent script and equally great performances.

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Rendy Jones Rendy Reviews Aug 30, 2018 3.5/5

The movie just never stops being intense and engaging where it constantly have you both laughing hard and gasping in shock.

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Andrew Parker The Gate Aug 28, 2018

Much like the new Jordans that drive the plot, Tipping wants to show off his stuff, and a lot of what he has in the trunk is pretty great.

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Mae Abdulbaki Movies with Mae Aug 22, 2018 3/5

Ali is the highlight of the film as his presence and words to Brandon provide the film with a bit more focus.

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Morgan Rojas Cinemacy Aug 6, 2018

When Kicks is able to find the right balance between narrative emotion and spectacle, the result is one powerful piece of work.

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Jeffrey Edalatpour KQED (San Francisco) Sep 18, 2017

Kicks captures the look and feel of specific East Bay neighborhoods by examining their geographical and emotional microclimates.

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Aramide Tinubu Shadow and Act Apr 12, 2017

Still, what Tipping masters perfectly in the film is the constant ebb and flow of humor, and darkness, that runs through the narrative that is inner city boyhood.

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Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Mar 22, 2017 B-

It's about manhood, growing up in the hood, and the inner struggles you don't see played out on the news... It's not a perfect movie by any means, but I'm interested to see what Tipping does next.

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Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope Feb 7, 2017 B

A dangerous quest for a stolen pair of shoes becomes an odyssey through ravaged California minority neighborhoods where drugs are omnipresent and violence is never far away. It is a tale of lost innocence, absent fathers and rites of passage.

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Sandie Angulo Chen Common Sense Media Oct 3, 2016 4/5

Poignant, mature indie drama about a teen and his sneakers.

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Austin Trunick Under the Radar Sep 29, 2016 8/10

Kicks is tense, horrifying and hypnotic: a stunning premiere from a new filmmaking talent to follow.

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Todd Jorgenson Cinemalogue Sep 23, 2016

The raw authenticity demonstrates with heartfelt conviction how innocent youngsters become caught in cycles of inner-city poverty and violence, and it doesn't offer easy answers.

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Barry Hertz Globe and Mail Sep 23, 2016 3/4

Tipping, who also co-wrote the polished script, captures this unique mix of adolescent anxiety, urban decay and societal friction in a remarkably confident fashion ...

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Leah Pickett Chicago Reader Sep 22, 2016

The motif of a faceless, imaginary spaceman following the boy around is overly precious, but what does work is Tipping's focus on sensitive boys hardening in reaction to their father figures (or lack thereof).

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Radheyan Simonpillai NOW Toronto Sep 21, 2016 3/5

Call it Bicycle Thieves In The Hood. At least that's what Justin Tipping's simultaneously dazzling and frustrating debut, Kicks, seems to be shooting for.

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Jonathan W. Hickman The Newnan Times-Herald Sep 16, 2016 6.5/10

Director Tipping has delivered a very aware film that understands the priorities and struggles of his teen audience.

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Adam Graham Detroit News Sep 16, 2016 C-

Tipping throws all sorts of tricks at the screen, most of which don't work.

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Alan Zilberman Washington Post Sep 15, 2016 1.5/4

Tipping's admittedly artful style is relatively ambiguous, focusing mostly on cheap visceral thrills, to the point where it's impossible to glean what he thinks about the depths to which Brandon will go.

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