How critics reacted to some 2004 hits

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Oct 31, 2004 | by Associated Press

LOS ANGELES -- Critics and moviegoers sometimes agree on top hits such as "Shrek 2" and "Spider-Man 2." But critics tend to give lukewarm or negative reviews to movies that grab mainstream audiences.

Here's a sampling of reaction from top critics on some of 2004's top hits:

-- "Shrek 2" ($436.5 million domestic gross)

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: positive

A.O. Scott, New York Times: lukewarm

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: positive

Claudia Puig, USA Today: positive

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: positive

Christy Lemire, The Associated Press: positive

-- "Spider-Man 2" ($372.6 million domestic gross)

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: positive

A.O. Scott, New York Times: positive

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: positive

Mike Clark, USA Today: positive

Lisa Schwarzbaum: Entertainment Weekly, positive

Christy Lemire: The Associated Press, positive

-- "The Passion of the Christ" ($370.3 million domestic gross)

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: positive

A.O. Scott, New York Times: negative

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: negative

Claudia Puig, USA Today: positive

Lisa Schwarzbaum: Entertainment Weekly, negative

Christy Lemire: The Associated Press, lukewarm

-- "The Day After Tomorrow" ($186.7 million domestic gross)

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: positive

A.O. Scott, New York Times: lukewarm

Manohla Dargis, Los Angeles Times: negative

Mike Clark, USA Today: negative

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: negative

Christy Lemire, The Associated Press: lukewarm

-- "I, Robot" ($144 million domestic gross)

A.O. Scott, New York Times: lukewarm

Manohla Dargis, Los Angeles Times: negative

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: negative

Claudia Puig, USA Today: negative

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: negative

Christy Lemire, The Associated Press: lukewarm

-- "Shark Tale" ($137 million domestic gross to date)

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: negative

A.O. Scott, New York Times: lukewarm

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: negative

Claudia Puig, USA Today: lukewarm

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: negative

Christy Lemire, The Associated Press: negative