84
Metascore
30 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100Entertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanEntertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanThe enthralling spirit of Dave Chappelle's Block Party, its mood of exuberant democracy, extends to every rap and soul performance in the film.
- 90Dallas ObserverRobert WilonskyDallas ObserverRobert WilonskyThe film, from its deadpan start to its languorous finish, provides the most joyous moviegoing experience in years.
- 90The Hollywood ReporterSheri LindenThe Hollywood ReporterSheri LindenThe word "community" has become a cliche, but this party, both backstage and before the crowd, illustrates a specific sense of cultural community and the singular bliss of standing on a city street in late-summer rain for a once-in-a-lifetime concert.
- 90The New York TimesManohla DargisThe New York TimesManohla DargisMr. Chappelle looks and sounds alternately ebullient and weary. It was directed by Michel Gondry, the madcap genius behind "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," but in its tone and vibe feels like Mr. Chappelle's all the way.
- 83The A.V. ClubNathan RabinThe A.V. ClubNathan RabinBlock Party is largely a giant love-fest, which is fitting given the staggering amount of simpatico musical and comic talent on display, though some conflict surfaces nevertheless.
- 80VarietyJoe LeydonVarietyJoe LeydonA heady spirit of spontaneity permeates the proceedings, suggesting the entire pic, much like the concert it documents, was conceived, planned and completed in a single burst of creative enthusiasm.
- 80Village VoiceVillage VoiceThis picture remains faithful to the underlying affability of both Chappelle and Gondry, orchestrating a feel-good homestyle vibe that, while peppered with moments of sly political commentary, never harshes its own, slightly bittersweet mellow.
- 80L.A. WeeklyErnest HardyL.A. WeeklyErnest HardyResults in moments of real beauty that make you grateful Chappelle chose an aesthete for directing chores. And yet, in terms of content, the film doesn't quite reach the bar set by its historic predecessor (Wattstax).
- 78Austin ChronicleMarjorie BaumgartenAustin ChronicleMarjorie BaumgartenNo background material is going to help the viewer who isn't already aware of why a Fugees reunion is such a cool thing to witness, but it's impossible not to get caught up in this party's good vibe.
- 75Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertChicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertAs for the movie, I've seen better comedy films and better concert films. It noodles around too much and gets distracted from the music. Michel Gondry, who directed, makes good fiction films but is not an instinctive documentarian and forgets that even a fly on the wall should occasionally find some peanut butter. As the record of a state of mind, however, the film is uncanny.