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Catch-22 takes entertainingly chaotic aim at the insanity of armed conflict, supported by a terrific cast and smart, funny work from Buck Henry and Mike Nichols.
All Critics (27) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (22) | Rotten (5) | DVD (3)
Cynical and bitterly cold... [Mike] Nichols and [Buck] Henry fail to make an anti-capitalist film. They have made their case so strong that it becomes an anti-human film. Nov 23, 2014 | Full Review…
Cynical and bitterly cold... [Mike] Nichols and [Buck] Henry fail to make an anti-capitalist film. They have made their case so strong that it becomes an anti-human film.
John Mahoney
Though the vertiginously absurdist logic of the book is hopelessly fractured, some of it does filter through (the mostly superb performances are a great help). Feb 9, 2006 | Full Review…
Though the vertiginously absurdist logic of the book is hopelessly fractured, some of it does filter through (the mostly superb performances are a great help).
Nichols has done the same thing in "Catch-22" that he did in "The Graduate." He's given us a funny beginning, then switched tones and gone serious. Oct 23, 2004 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
Nichols has done the same thing in "Catch-22" that he did in "The Graduate." He's given us a funny beginning, then switched tones and gone serious.
Roger Ebert
Quite simply, the best American film I've seen this year. May 20, 2003 | Rating: 5/5
Quite simply, the best American film I've seen this year.
Vincent Canby
Not so much a cohesive story as a string of only tangentially related vignettes stripped of their original context, Catch-22 fumbles as an adaptation and as a war film in its own right. Dec 27, 2018 | Rating: 4/10 | Full Review…
Not so much a cohesive story as a string of only tangentially related vignettes stripped of their original context, Catch-22 fumbles as an adaptation and as a war film in its own right.
Nathanael Hood
If you liked M*A*S*H, You'll love this! Oct 26, 2008 | Rating: 3/5
If you liked M*A*S*H, You'll love this!
Clint Morris
What a strange and mesmerizing folly. Oct 13, 2008 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
What a strange and mesmerizing folly.
Rob Gonsalves
Released during the Vietnam War, the movie was a commercial failure, but seen from today's perspective, its black humor holds up well. Jul 22, 2005 | Rating: B | Full Review…
Released during the Vietnam War, the movie was a commercial failure, but seen from today's perspective, its black humor holds up well.
Emanuel Levy
Still positively chilling. May 30, 2005 | Rating: B | Full Review…
Still positively chilling.
Dennis Schwartz
Starts out pretty funny, gets incredibly weird by the end. May 13, 2004 | Rating: 4/5
Starts out pretty funny, gets incredibly weird by the end.
Luke Y. Thompson
Flawed, but frequently brilliant. Aug 13, 2003 | Rating: 4/5
Flawed, but frequently brilliant.
Ken Hanke
A mess, occasionally a fascinating one. Jun 19, 2003 | Rating: 3/5
A mess, occasionally a fascinating one.
Nell Minow
Very good antiwar dark comedy that is a bit underrated. Many reviews that I've read make this as one of the worst war films ever made. Although far from perfect, this is a very good film that is held together by a great cast of actors. This is one of those films that have a darkly humorous tone and sometimes you don't know when to laugh because of its sometimes serious content. Overall the film is pretty laid back in the sense that the jokes are good, and it evens out the serious aspect of the film. I feel that this is an underrated film and it definitely is much better than what people have said it was. The script is terrific and effective directing by Mike Nichols make this a terrific film worth seeing if you love the war film genre. For what it is, it manages to be entertaining, and fun and have an anti war message. Catch-22 is a well acted picture that balances satire and serious overtones perfectly. By the film's conclusion things become a tad more insane and the comic relief is stripped away and the dramatic angle of the plot take over. Catch --22 is a well crafted picture that resonates with its message. The cast is wonderful, and each brings something unique to the screen which makes this film standout as a terrific satire of war. With a great performance from its lead actor, this is a must see picture for those wanting to watch something different in the war genre. Lots of fun from start to finish, this a wonderful film despite its imperfections.
Super Reviewer
An terrific surrealist dark antiwar satire.
No better, no worse than the book itself.
I have not read the book, which seems to be a prerequisite for enjoying this movie, which I do, immensely
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