Rocket Science Reviews

The problem with Rocket Science is that the character at the center of the drama isn't very energetic or, truth be told, interesting. This makes it difficult at times to remain engaged in the unfolding tale.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4

This indie-minded effort suggests a filmmaker too enamored by his influences and struggling to establish a cogent vision of his own.

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I thought it was cloying, self-congratulatory and irritating.

Quirky, quirky, quirky goes Rocket Science. Round, round, round roll my eyes.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

Please, enough with Napoleon Dynamite Syndrome already.

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[Director] Blitz has succumbed to that most pernicious of Sundance afflictions: pandemic quirkiness.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

Rocket Science is a story smothered by its own eccentricities.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5

Blitz let the story tell itself in Spellbound; this time, he's trying too hard.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5

It is not always a deal-killer to step outside the trappings of realism, but the bland visuals don't match the precious absurdity and profound rapid-fire dialogue of the high school kids, so the film rings false and tries too hard.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

Destined to be severely overrated.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

...a slight coming of age tale with some natural moments, yes, but also with obvious humor (when there is any), racist undertones, and an underwhelming lead. Rocket Science never made me crack a smile.

Full Review | Original Score: C+

The thing the film lacks -- besides originality -- is a character arc that keeps the audience interested.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4

Needlessly cruel comedy.

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Why filter such a personal story through the attitudinal tics of Wes Anderson and Napoleon Dynamite, especially if you're going to do it with about one-third the skill?

Full Review | Original Score: C

Thompson is an engaging young actor who keeps things grounded when Blitz gets a little too precious with his ironic premise and self-consciously offbeat characters.

| Original Score: 2.5/4

Borrowing from too many movies to count, Rocket Science botches that brew in an unwieldy slew of adolescent-angst clichés.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4

It isn't funny; it isn't touching; there's a screamingly annoying and supercilious voiceover-narration, and all its dramatic ideas are bafflingly unfinished and unresolved.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5

Enough about Rocket Science is genuinely endearing that it comes out okay in the end.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

It may gross as little as Welcome to the Dollhouse or as much as Clueless, but whichever it does, it's in the same league.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4

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