A Thousand Words 2012

Andy Webster, New York Times: In the simplicity of its premise it embodies the notion of high-concept entertainment. In its execution it demonstrates how technical efficiency can drain the life from a story. Read more

A.A. Dowd, Time Out: The high concept breeds lowbrow gags. Read more

Tasha Robinson, AV Club: Every emotion is loudly broadcast, every development repeatedly telegraphed. Kids who can't keep up with the demanding complexities of Sesame Street will be able to follow this one. Read more

Barbara VanDenburgh, Arizona Republic: With "A Thousand Words," Murphy plunges headlong back into the swamp of insipid comedies he'd just crawled his way out of. Read more

David Germain, Associated Press: A Thousand Words is not worth any more dismissive words. It needs to make like a tree and leave. Read more

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: In "A Thousand Words" the camera stays about two inches from Murphy's hyperactive face, and you start to see the strain and desperation in the actor's eyes. Read more

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: It makes you want to see Murphy team up with Judd Apatow, or even take on a dead-serious dramatic role - do anything but star in another movie like this one. Read more

William Goss, Film.com: Follows directly in the footsteps of Bruce Almighty, Click, Liar Liar, Groundhog Day and any other post-Freaky Friday high-concept redemption story that inevitably crossed Tim Allen and Adam Sandler's desks at some point. Read more

Alonso Duralde, TheWrap: A Thousand Words marks yet another lazy, "family-friendly" comedy in which Murphy phones it in -- remember when this guy was dangerously funny? -- and wastes the talents of a supporting cast that also includes Allison Janney and Jack McBrayer. Read more

Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter: Eddie Murphy should have just said the word "No" to this tired, formulaic comedy. Read more

Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: The high point of the movie, for me, was when I got up from my seat and walked over to a guy who was texting in the theater and asked him to shut his phone off. Read more

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger: What you don't have is a funny movie. Read more

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: If only this Eddie Murphy flick had taken its own advice and spent a little more time being reflective instead of hyperactive, it might have overcome a trite script and awful, obvious excuses for comedy. Read more

Kyle Smith, New York Post: Even 2003 Robin Williams would have thunked this script in the fireplace by page 50. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: The poster art for "A Thousand Words" shows Eddie Murphy with duct tape over his mouth, which as a promotional idea ranks right up there with Fred Astaire in leg irons. Read more

Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail: The idea of taking one of Hollywood's best-known motor-mouths and reducing him to mugging and charades is definitely novel - and utterly misguided. Read more

Peter Howell, Toronto Star: Shallow performances, script and direction mute the laughs and the insights in a movie that ultimately doesn't have much to say. Read more

Claudia Puig, USA Today: The concept is unoriginal, the scenarios aren't funny, and its message is banal. Plus, Murphy alternately hams it up and phones it in. Read more

Justin Chang, Variety: Even Murphy's largely wordless, physically adroit performance can't redeem this tortured exercise in high-concept spiritualist hokum. Read more

Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine/Vulture: Does Eddie Murphy actually have any range, or is it just an illusion created by a few early edgy roles and, later, a lot of CGI makeup and fat suits? Read more

Mark Jenkins, Washington Post: Even when "A Thousand Words" is counseling us to just be quiet and in the moment, it can't just be quiet and in the moment. Read more