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Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
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Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.
All Critics (13) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (11) | Rotten (2) | DVD (2)
On its own modest terms, "Under the Boardwalk" is a pleasant, enjoyable experience...
The film bounces around enjoyably, giving a history of the game, talking to people who love it and chronicling the 2009 Monopoly World Championships in Las Vegas.
Under the Boardwalk is, unsurprisingly, a celebration of all things Monopoly, from its role in American pop culture to the national and international tournaments it has spawned.
Under the Boardwalk provides an amiable overview of one very famous board game's history and impact, alongside a moderately engaging portrait of players preparing for the 2009 World Monopoly Championship.
Strictly a soft sell, a breezy, fan's-eye appreciation of one of America's (and now much of the world's) most popular board games.
Advance token to Boardwalk!
Fascinating revelations on how the 75 year old game adapted to changing times, and originated as anti-capitalist during the Great Depression, then flipped the script. As it takes up the significant challenges of bringing a board game to cinematic life.
A slick documentary that juxtaposes the history, politics and cultural influence of the ever-popular Parker Brothers game with brief profiles of the people who play it.
Under the Boardwalk is affectionate and inoffensive, but unavoidably disposable.
More than you ever thought you could know about the world's favorite board game is here in this amiable but wandering, factoid-filled documentary.
Whether you play MONOPOLY or not, you'll be game for this entertaining documentary tha delves into everything about the world's most popular board game.
Kevin Tostado's desire to compete in the Monopoly championships led him to make a delightful documentary about the classic board game for its 75th anniversary.
"Rolling the dice is just the beginning..." Under the Boardwalk is a surprisingly entertaining affair. I expected a sort of History Channel-esque type of documentary where we'd learn a lot about the history of the game, which this movie basically does, but it also inserts some entertainment value with the tournament play. We go through the basics, learning how the game is played. Then we talk to some people who have made Monopoly more then just part of their life. Some of them live for it. We see the game and how it started. We see the pop culture effect. People have tattoos and name their pets after characters from the game. But the most fun comes from watching the tournament and banter between players. At times, Under the Boardwalk had the same feel of King of Kong in that the some of the people actually had disdain for some of the other contestants. One guy in particular hated a school teacher because he was thought to have cheated to make it to the U.S. Finals. It's kind of ridiculous to think that these people take the game so seriously, but everybody has their thing. Like people who are into chess or poker and play competitively; so do these players. They are in it to win like any other competition. This little film isn't amazing, but it is informative and actually a decent amount of fun. I know a documentary on a board game doesn't sound like a great way to spend 88 minutes, but they make it a nice little experience. I love documentaries and will give pretty much any of them a chance, and it's always nice to see one come through that you didn't expect much from. Like Air Guitar Nation or King of Kong, it takes a subject that not too many people know about and show the competitive side of it. This one does quite make it to the level of those two, but it's still a pleasant surprise.
Super Reviewer
"Under the Boardwalk" is light hearted documentary about all things Monopoly. From it's origins, to collectors, to the world Monopoly championship. If there's ever something you wanted to know about this famous board game, or it's culture, then this is right up your alley. At 88 minutes the movie doesn't over stay it's welcome. Runs at a better pace than the game itself. I grew up with Monopoly and found this very interesting and entertaining. Last few years documentaries have been getting better and better, and this follows this trend.
Light, airy and constantly unearthing new little factoids about Monopoly fandom, Under the Boardwalk intercuts the history of the game with the run up to the National Championships. We meet devoted Monopoly players-some who take the game too seriously-and see how it has affected everything they do. There aren't any deep life lessons here and the people we meet are one note, but this is a fun little diversion, a side note to a classic game.
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