Dennis Hunt Los Angeles Times Apr 30, 2026

It's another artistic triumph for The Coen brothers.

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Richard Freedman Newark Star-Ledger Dec 30, 2025

This wonderful film gives the comic-strip treatment it deserves to the wacky violence that seems to have taken over in American life.

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John Ferguson Radio Times Aug 19, 2025 4/5

From the audacious pre-credits sequence onwards, the pace never slackens for a second.

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Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Feb 7, 2024 4/5

Two features into their career, Raising Arizona shows that the Coens are as effective with comedies as they were with neo-noir.

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Josh Slater-Williams Vague Visages Nov 14, 2023

A distinct calling card for their more overtly comedic instincts; a frenetic farce that combines slapstick sensibilities and giddy playfulness with the English language...

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Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault Aug 31, 2022 A+

Amiably gonzo pretty much nonstop.

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Peter Keough Chicago Reader May 9, 2022 2/4

Coens have not achieved the maturity needed to appreciate the vision of a Capra or Sturges, and their gifts are too rich and deep for the likes of Heckle and Jeckle.

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Jamie Broadnax Black Girl Nerds Apr 12, 2022 5/5

What we get from the opening sequence of 'Raising Arizona' is the brilliance of Burwells score, the poetic storytelling of Hi, and Sonnenfelds imposing camera work. The opening sequence to Raising Arizona could be a short film in and of itself.

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Stephen Silver Tilt Magazine Mar 19, 2022 B+

The Coen's best pure comedy, driven by that great chase scene (35th anniversary)

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Amanda Mazzillo Film Joy Mar 8, 2022

Raising Arizona is a funny, charming film with a strong visual style, delightful performances, and a unique sense of humor.

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Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Feb 14, 2022 4/4

Though Raising Arizona is one of their funniest and most accessible films, it is also among their most introspective.

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Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm Mar 31, 2021 3.5/4

...ultimately one of the Coens' kinder (if not gentler) efforts.

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Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Sep 7, 2020 10/10

A delightfully singular, strikingly bizarre, and unquestionably hysterical cult comedy.

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David Nusair Reel Film Reviews May 30, 2020 3/4

...the movie's tremendously affable atmosphere is heightened by the efforts of a perfectly-cast roster of performers...

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Tim Brayton Alternate Ending May 4, 2020 4.5/5

As well-made as any other indie film of the late '80s, and frequently hilarious on top of it.

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Eleanor Ringel Cater Saporta Report (Atlanta) Jul 7, 2017

Yes, the Coens are techno-brat showoffs, but when the show is this good, who cares?

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Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal Jan 30, 2017 5/5

In their first masterpiece, the Coens first delight with sheer kinetics, then dazzle with colorful colloquialisms & verbal voodoo, and eventually disarm you with the grace and guile through which they examine modern foibles, failures and forgiveness.

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Cathy Burke United Press International Nov 8, 2016

A non-stop chase movie filled with so much good humor it's like an all-expense paid trip to another planet.

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker Jan 14, 2013

Raising Arizona is no big deal, but it has a rambunctious charm.

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Fernando F. Croce CinePassion Mar 21, 2010

The immense joy of this is in the realization that, for all their precision, Joel and Ethan Coen are essentially comic barnstormers rather than frigid ironists

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