Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Apr 14, 2023

The film’s naïve charm, filtered through Rodriguez’s big kid-in-a-candy-store filmmaking sensibility, engages on the level of childlike—and at times defiantly, delightfully childish—imagination.

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Common Sense Media Editors Common Sense Media Jan 1, 2011 2/5

Kids will love the 3-D aspect of this movie.

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Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Jul 2, 2009 C

Robert Rodriquez continues in the vein of his "Spy Kids" films with another visually frenetic kiddie crowd-pleaser that will leave adult chaperons exiting the cinema nursing headaches.

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Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed Apr 29, 2009

The words Robert Rodriguez would come to regret saying for years to his son: "This would make a cool movie".

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Stefan Ulstein Christianity Today Sep 1, 2006 2.5/4

A fun summer film for grade school kids, it avoids the subtle meanness and double entendres that filmmakers sometimes insert into films geared to children.

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Jorge Avila Andrade Moviola Nov 25, 2005 3/4

Rodriguez es un nio grande que trabaja como cineasta, pero nio al fin y al cabo. Esa es la verdadera tercera dimensin del filme, la de su corazn infantil

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Scott Nash Three Movie Buffs Sep 30, 2005 1.5/4

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Scott Weinberg DVDTalk.com Sep 25, 2005 1.5/5

No amount of bells & whistles can salvage a screenplay this half-baked.

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Todd Gilchrist IGN Sep 23, 2005 1.5/5

A movie for kids, by kids, even if Rodriguez was there for a little bit of technical supervision.

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John J. Puccio Movie Metropolis Sep 20, 2005 4/10

We find only disjointed clamor and confusion amid a babble of noise and flashing lights. The movie seemed to me little more than a clever afternoon special.

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Matthew Turner ViewLondon Aug 27, 2005 1/5

Avoid like Sharkboy-infested waters.

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David N. Butterworth rec.arts.movies.reviews Jul 21, 2005 2/4

Reminds us, unequivocally, why 3-D has yet to catch on. "Special" effects notwithstanding, this Robert Rodriguez quickie is strictly for the younger set.

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Paul Sherman Boston Herald Jul 16, 2005 1/4

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Robert Denerstein Denver Rocky Mountain News Jul 5, 2005 D+

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Susan Granger Modamag.com Jun 28, 2005 2/10

Robert Rodriguez' paternal love for his son is admirable - but not if you have to pay the price of admission to this fumbling fiasco.

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Linda Cook KWQC-TV (Iowa) Jun 27, 2005 2/4

What a strange, disappointing, technically disastrous movie.

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Luke Y. Thompson New Times Jun 27, 2005

As Sharkboy, a young oceanographer raised by talking sharks, Lautner is a rare standout -- a child actor with a dark side.

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