Software
Web Services
Movies
Music
Games
Hardware
In Theaters Now
In Theaters Now
In Theaters Now
In Theaters Now
sign up for our review notification
TopTenREVIEWS Blog
More news: Read about new site updates via our XML/RSS news feed
our XML/RSS feed

TopTenREVIEWS presents the movie reviews of Redbelt (2008)

emailEmail to a friend
Redbelt (2008) movie image

Redbelt (2008)

in theaters now

RANKINGS:

Expand All | Close All
Ratings and rankings are based on number of movie, review scores, awards & other criteria.
Redbelt (2008) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars Redbelt (2008) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars
Overall Rating:2.7363
Avg Critic Score:2.6964

Redbelt (2008) Rank 3 Reviews

Expert Review Summary
Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating
Excellent
4
15.87%
(20)
Very Good
3
48.41%
(61)
Good
2
29.37%
(37)
Fair
1
6.35%
(8)
Poor
0
0.00%
(0)

Other Related Review Sites

In-depth, side-by-side comparisons and reviews

See a list of our 170+ review sites in software web services and electronics

back to main ratings and reviews...
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.30 out of 4 stars for EricDSnider.com (Eric D. Snider) EricDSnider.com (Eric D. Snider)
Twists and turns with the best of them, with a story line that comprises so many elements it's impossible to guess which direction it's going to head next. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at EricDSnider.com (Eric D. Snider)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.30 out of 4 stars for Entertainment Weekly (Lisa Schwarzbaum) Entertainment Weekly (Lisa Schwarzbaum)
That thing Mamet does he does again with feverish effing commitment in Redbelt, his effing Rocky. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Entertainment Weekly (Lisa Schwarzbaum)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.30 out of 4 stars for Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Sean Axmaker) Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Sean Axmaker)
It's glorious pulp fiction elevated to genre art, full of Mamet's cynicism about the corruption of big business and his romantic ideals of men... dedicated to a higher purpose. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Sean Axmaker)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Filmjerk.com (Brian Orndorf) Filmjerk.com (Brian Orndorf)
Mike (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teacher hoping to impart lessons of esteem to his students to make up for his own past sins. Short on cash, Mike can't help but become caught up in the lives of others, devoting his time to a troubled cop ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Filmjerk.com (Brian Orndorf)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Hollywood Reporter (Michael Rechtshaffen) Hollywood Reporter (Michael Rechtshaffen)
Mamet takes up jiu-jitsu with honorable results. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Hollywood Reporter (Michael Rechtshaffen)

Redbelt (2008) Critic Reviews continued...

Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for New York Magazine (David Edelstein) New York Magazine (David Edelstein)
So how's the Mamet Rocky? Fast. Lively. In your face. Very watchable. And, like its predecessors, so bizarrely convoluted it barely holds together on a narrative level. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at New York Magazine (David Edelstein)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Compuserve (Harvey S. Karten) Compuserve (Harvey S. Karten)
Ads by the lonely in the singles sections of magazines, newspapers and in videos like MySpace often say, “No games, please.” These people purportedly want to be straightforward in their new relationships: no playing hard-to-get, no lying, no sinister ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Compuserve (Harvey S. Karten)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Los Angeles Times (Carina Chocano) Los Angeles Times (Carina Chocano)
[A] contemporary noir with a samurai movie interior, as sincere, plaintive and strangely optimistic a movie as he's made. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Los Angeles Times (Carina Chocano)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Spirituality and Practice (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat) Spirituality and Practice (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat)
A riveting drama where the ethics and rigorous idealism of a gifted Jiu-Jitsu teacher are challenged. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Spirituality and Practice (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Lobo Howls (Judith Wolfe) Lobo Howls (Judith Wolfe)
...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Lobo Howls (Judith Wolfe)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) (Ken Hanke) Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) (Ken Hanke)
A pretty good picture turned into something like a really good picture by virtue of Chiwetel Ejiofor's performance. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) (Ken Hanke)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.20 out of 4 stars for filmcritic.com (Matt McKillop) filmcritic.com (Matt McKillop)
good, smart, manly entertainment. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at filmcritic.com (Matt McKillop)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert) Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Reel Film Reviews (David Nusair) Reel Film Reviews (David Nusair)
...a sporadically uneven yet consistently engaging effort that'll undoubtedly please Mamet's devoted fans. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Reel Film Reviews (David Nusair)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Boston Herald (James Verniere Movie Review) Boston Herald (James Verniere Movie Review)
...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Boston Herald (James Verniere Movie Review)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Chicago Tribune (Michael Phillips) Chicago Tribune (Michael Phillips)
Like everything Mamet touches, whether predominantly comic or dramatic, this stern cautionary tale concerns whom we can trust (ourselves, if we live by a few simple, honorable rules of conduct) and whom we cannot (others, especially if they're in the film ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Chicago Tribune (Michael Phillips)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Preview Family Movie Review Preview Family Movie Review
...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Preview Family Movie Review
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Internet Reviews (Steve Rhodes) Internet Reviews (Steve Rhodes)
Okay, so it's only minor Mamet, but, for loyal devotees of the master, like me, it is still sublime. Rich in Mamet's signature staccato cadence, the dialog is pure poetry. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Internet Reviews (Steve Rhodes)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert) Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for The Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez) The Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
...read the complete Redbelt movie review at The Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Toronto Star (Peter Howell) Toronto Star (Peter Howell)
The glue that holds it together is Ejiofor's muscular performance as a man whose principles may be about to feel the brass knuckles of reality. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Toronto Star (Peter Howell)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Duane Dudek) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Duane Dudek)
Redbelt offers front-row tickets to the fixed cage match between currency and purity, and Mamet lets the audience feel every punch. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Duane Dudek)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Miami Herald (Sara Wildberger) Miami Herald (Sara Wildberger)
In Redbelt, David Mamet enters the realm of sports drama and Rocky-underdog clichés and discovers it's a surprisingly good fit. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Miami Herald (Sara Wildberger)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Boston Globe (Ty Burr) Boston Globe (Ty Burr)
While Redbelt may be a character study in search of a movie, that character feels fresh and real. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Boston Globe (Ty Burr)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) (John Beifuss) Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) (John Beifuss)
Among its other virtues, the film reminds us that Chiwetel Ejiofor is one of the most comfortable, consistently convincing and undervalued actors in movies today. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) (John Beifuss)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for San Antonio Express-News (Larry Ratliff) San Antonio Express-News (Larry Ratliff)
The combat, even the obligatory big fight, bruises bodies just as painfully as Mamet's killer words attack the soul. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at San Antonio Express-News (Larry Ratliff)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for The Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez) The Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
...read the complete Redbelt movie review at The Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert) Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
So gifted is Mamet as a writer and director that he can fascinate us even when he's pulling rabbits out of an empty hat. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Entertainment Insiders (Warren Curry) Entertainment Insiders (Warren Curry)
David Mamet: it's a name that commands respect in the world of arts and entertainment. Though his output usually falls just outside of mass mainstream interest, his movies, plays and essays are unquestionably influential. I wouldn't describe his work as ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Entertainment Insiders (Warren Curry)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for New York Post (Kyle Smith) New York Post (Kyle Smith)
WITH "Redbelt," we speak of David Mamet. We. Are. Speak. Ing. Of Mamet. Do you hear this thing that I am telling you? What the f - - k did I just say? In a film written and directed by Mamet, Mike Terry (a highly effective Chiwetel Ejiofor, with an ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at New York Post (Kyle Smith)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for USA Today (Claudia Puig) USA Today (Claudia Puig)
Anchored by a powerful and nuanced performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mamet's latest writing and directing effort is a compelling drama about the world of martial arts fighting. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at USA Today (Claudia Puig)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Rolling Stone (Peter Travers) Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
Even allowing for a few slips in pacing and judgment, Mamet is on his game, and that is a sight to see. No con. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Groucho Reviews (Peter Canavese) Groucho Reviews (Peter Canavese)
An allegory of what's wrong with our country...Mamet has spent the last decade layering popular entertainments with subversive ideas about social politics. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Groucho Reviews (Peter Canavese)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Variety Variety
In the story of a purist-minded jiu-jitsu instructor trying to keep his distance from the vulgar commercialism of arena-style martial arts competition, David Mamet may have found the ideal metaphor for his own relationship with mainstream Hollywood. An ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Variety
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Slant Magazine Slant Magazine
David Mamet may not be the visual stylist that Jean-Pierre Melville was, but in most other respects, his Redbelt is faithfully cast in the tradition of the great French auteur's Le Samouraï. As in Melville's brooding gangster classic, Mamet's film ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Slant Magazine
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Film Freak Central Film Freak Central
To say that Redbelt is the best David Mamet film since probably House of Games is to confess that I really didn't think that much of House of Games and that Redbelt is actually David Mamet's best film. He often experiments with narrative, see; he wants ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Film Freak Central
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Reel.com Reel.com
David Mamet is a difficult guy to figure out. His latest film Redbelt, which he wrote and directed, is perhaps his most confounding project yet. That's not to say it's not enjoyable—at its best, Redbelt is twisty, heady, butt-kicking fun—but it's hard ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Reel.com
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.90 out of 4 stars for Flipside Movie Emporium (Rob Vaux) Flipside Movie Emporium (Rob Vaux)
The director knows this world and the actor makes us care about it. Redbelt requires little more to make good on its promises. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Flipside Movie Emporium (Rob Vaux)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.90 out of 4 stars for Oregonian (Mike Russell) Oregonian (Mike Russell)
A fascinating, beautifully acted study in philosophical tension. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Oregonian (Mike Russell)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.90 out of 4 stars for Beaumont Journal (Danny Minton) Beaumont Journal (Danny Minton)
It's the great performance from Ejiofor that makes this an interesting take on the martial arts genre. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Beaumont Journal (Danny Minton)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.90 out of 4 stars for Philadelphia Daily News (Gary Thompson) Philadelphia Daily News (Gary Thompson)
...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Philadelphia Daily News (Gary Thompson)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for Tolucan Times (Tony Medley) Tolucan Times (Tony Medley)
...entertaining until the ending that lacks crediblity, which mars what came before but epitomizes a Mamet film. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Tolucan Times (Tony Medley)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for Antagony & Ecstasy (Tim Brayton) Antagony & Ecstasy (Tim Brayton)
A David Mamet film to its bones, and that means everything is stripped down as far as it can be, to the point of being casually and unremarkably flawless. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Antagony & Ecstasy (Tim Brayton)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for PopMatters (Bill Gibron) PopMatters (Bill Gibron)
Just when you think (Mamet) can't plow more storylines into his situations, the slightly bloated script finds room for five or six more. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at PopMatters (Bill Gibron)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for Arizona Republic (Bill Goodykoontz) Arizona Republic (Bill Goodykoontz)
Before it sort of punches itself out in the final few minutes, it's a surprisingly compelling story about honor and betrayal. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Arizona Republic (Bill Goodykoontz)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for Jam! Movies (Jim Slotek) Jam! Movies (Jim Slotek)
Redbelt, David Mamet's characteristically sinister take on the mixed-martial arts craze, is like a noir, grownup version of The Karate Kid or of the recent featherweight teen MMA drama Never Back Down. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Jam! Movies (Jim Slotek)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for New York Times (Manohla Dargis) New York Times (Manohla Dargis)
Redbelt, is a satisfying, unexpectedly involving B-movie that owes as much to old Hollywood as to Greek tragedy. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at New York Times (Manohla Dargis)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for Metromix.com (Matt Pais) Metromix.com (Matt Pais)
Compels as a story of the struggles and consequences of being a good, honest man in a world that rarely rewards either attribute. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Metromix.com (Matt Pais)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.75 out of 4 stars for Screen International Screen International
Mamet tries to further debunk sports-movie conventions by concluding with an unconventional twist on the traditional showdown-in-the-ring finale, and while it doesn't entirely succeed, Redbelt's last moments stay true to its main character's stubborn ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Screen International
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.60 out of 4 stars for ColeSmithey.com (Cole Smithey) ColeSmithey.com (Cole Smithey)
It may be just another Mamet experiment in the limits of dramaturgy, but "Redbelt" keeps the audience guessing. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at ColeSmithey.com (Cole Smithey)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.60 out of 4 stars for Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz) Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
It was that kind of a dubious movie, where there is just no escape from its excesses despite its credo being there's always a way to escape. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for The New York Times The New York Times
In “Redbelt,” David Mamet has taken a sturdy B-movie conceit — a good man versus the bad world, plus blood — tricked it out with his rhythms, his corrosive words and misanthropy, and come up with a satisfying, unexpectedly involving B-movie that o ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at The New York Times
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for St. Louis Post-Dispatch St. Louis Post-Dispatch
...read the complete Redbelt movie review at St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for TV Guide's Movie Guide (Maitland McDonagh) TV Guide's Movie Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
Inspired by his interest in mixed martial arts, Mamet's ode to the samurai spirit quickly bogs down in coincidence-driven plotting that's only partially offset by a colorful cast of supporting characters. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at TV Guide's Movie Guide (Maitland McDonagh)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea) Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea)
...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for NewsBlaze (Prairie Miller) NewsBlaze (Prairie Miller)
Aside from the fact that it's never a good sign when a keen interest in a particular sport dominating a movie is a must, we've seen this tale of the virtuous gladiator encircled by ruthless, greedy wolves in countless such sports movies before. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at NewsBlaze (Prairie Miller)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for St. Paul Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)) St. Paul Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt (St. Paul))
Watching Redbelt is like watching a chess game. As Mamet manipulates his characters, it's involving and occasionally thrilling, but it never makes you feel much. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at St. Paul Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt (St. Paul))
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Globe and Mail () Globe and Mail ()
...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Globe and Mail ()
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson) Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson)
A low-key, compact genre film without much showing off. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Minneapolis Star Tribune (Colin Covert) Minneapolis Star Tribune (Colin Covert)
Redbelt ranks as one of Mamet's lesser efforts as writer and director. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at Minneapolis Star Tribune (Colin Covert)
Redbelt (2008) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for eFilmCritic.com (Erik Childress) eFilmCritic.com (Erik Childress)
The digression of the film's setup into an expedited version of The Spanish Prisoner would be less unnerving if what followed didn't turn out to be so irreversibly ridiculous. ...read the complete Redbelt movie review at eFilmCritic.com (Erik Childress)
Copyright © 2008 TopTenREVIEWS, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Re production in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of TopTenREVIEWS, Inc. is prohibited.