Bumblebee
Mary Poppins Returns
Halloween
Outlander
Log in with Facebook
OR
By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies, and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango.
Please enter your email address and we will email you a new password.
Critics Consensus: The impressive cast cannot rescue Rendition, which explores complex issues in woefully simplified terms.
Critic Consensus: The impressive cast cannot rescue Rendition, which explores complex issues in woefully simplified terms.
All Critics (153) | Top Critics (41) | Fresh (72) | Rotten (81) | DVD (7)
I don't fault Rendition for its liberal politics. I fault it for hammering home those politics in such pounding, slanted fashion.
If these new, allegedly topical movies are to make us feel anything -- to move us toward any action or even just toward any fresh realization -- they need to at least seem alive on the screen, instead of just courting our polite, measured applause.
That it's embarrassingly plausible, that it depicts things that have happened and that are probably still happening, is enough to make Americans sick to their stomach.
What finally gives Rendition its headlong narrative momentum is the sense that we're rarely certain what argument the filmmakers are endorsing.
It's one thing for a thriller to be timely, quite another for it to function as Rendition does, a gripping piece of entertainment with a clear head on its shoulders.
Rendition, while engrossing, does not grab us as it should.
Designed to make us feel like we've just witnessed a powerful experience. The reality of the film is that it's nothing but a shallow and underdeveloped position paper.
The sort of schematic slog that stirs more discussion about the cluelessness of the filmmakers than anything else
Rendition features decent performances by all its actors, although few are given any chance to shine.
Rather then telling a story with characters growing and exploring the politics of the world around them, they simply take up the roles of well-dictated automatons.
The film unfolds brilliantly and methodically, as director Gavid Hood's vivid characters are unwittingly drawn together.
But Rendition, in the end, is a Lifetime movie with pretensions toward being a political thriller. (They could even call it YOU HAVE MY HUSBAND! since Witherspoon shrieks that at Streep in a ludicrous scene.)
Well acted and asks some questions more people should be seeking answers to.
Super Reviewer
I had heard mixed things about Rendition. When I finally gave it a shot, I didn't understand why people where a bit negative towards the film. The film is a well crafted thriller and is one of the better genre films to come out in quite some time. The cast here are well assembled and they each deliver good performances. The story of the film is very engaging, thrilling and intricate. Rendition is a solid film and works as political thriller. The story, I felt was very strong and well developed. I very much enjoy these types of films that blend espionage, action and thrills into one film. Rendition is a solid thriller that delivers edge of you seat entertainment, and the cast make this film much better than it is. Especially with lead actresses such as Meryl Strep and Reese Witherspoon. Rendition's plot is engaging, and I thoroughly enjoyed this film. This is a brilliant film that was well conceived. Director Gavin Hood crafts a solid film and Rendition is better than what most people may think. This is a well made film with good performances and a great plot. If you're looking for a good thriller, Rendition is that film. The film is worth watching, and has enough thrills to keep you engaged. Rendition is a good film that doesn't deserve the flack it has received. This is a good film that will appeal to viewers looking for a solid thriller.
Interestingly 'unHollywood' for a 'Hollywood' film and certainly do not judge this as a typical Reece Witherspoon film, it's anything but! Opinions will vary on Intelligence methods, either way it's a voyeuristic view of something that the average person would never witness. Fears for the innocent arise, fears for extremists slipping through the net arise. Enjoyable, gritty and a situation no one would like to find themselves in.
It actually is an under rated movie, it is better than what people think! The story is original, I've never seen other like this before. Jake Gyllenhaal does not do that much role in the film, but his acting is great. Reese Witherspoon have a great character and she illustrates a desperate mother searching for her husband really well. Other great actors are Alan Arkin, Peter Sarsgaard and Meryl Streep. A really politically thought-provoking one but in some parts look a bit biased. It's a problematic story that everyone should think about.
View All Quotes
View All