56
Metascore
34 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 78TheWrapAlonso DuraldeTheWrapAlonso DuraldeAs slick and contrived as the plotting may be from time to time, the writers and director Jake Schreier (“Robot & Frank”) throw in enough charming character moments and literal forward motion (this is a road movie, after all) to avoid getting bogged down in whiny teen solipsism. You might not believe that any of these kids exist, but you’ll enjoy hanging out with them.
- 75Rolling StonePeter TraversRolling StonePeter TraversThere may be nothing fresh left to find in teens coming of age, but director Jake Schreier (Robot and Frank) fakes it with genuine sincerity.
- Q's adventure is a passionate and creative retelling of a time-honored tale, and one that will appeal to audiences both old and new to the genre. Hughes would approve.
- 70VarietyJustin ChangVarietyJustin ChangIt may not subvert every cliche of the high-school romance genre, but director Jake Schreier’s coming-of-age dramedy nonetheless pulses with moving and melancholy moments.
- 60The Hollywood ReporterTodd McCarthyThe Hollywood ReporterTodd McCarthyIn its considered, neatly packaged way, the film occupies a safe and solid middle-class middle ground in teen storyland, between crass gross-out comedies and mawkish romance on one side and edgy, exploratory indie fare on the other.
- 60Screen DailyTim GriersonScreen DailyTim GriersonThis likeable, emotionally precise film has a big heart and a genre-shifting construction that keeps the proceedings from feeling like just another young-adult meander. But despite an agreeably earnest performance from rising star Nat Wolff, Paper Towns covers familiar coming-of-age terrain and suffers from an opaque turn by newcomer Cara Delevingne that’s not quite as captivating as the story requires.
- 60Arizona RepublicBill GoodykoontzArizona RepublicBill GoodykoontzWe’ve seen the elements that make up Paper Towns before, but that’s OK. Schreier proves adept at avoiding clichés, and is helped by his actors.
- 60The GuardianJordan HoffmanThe GuardianJordan HoffmanThe best parts of Paper Towns are also the best part of being young – just hanging out doing nothing with friends who know you too well to allow for any lies.
- 50Washington PostAnn HornadayWashington PostAnn HornadayIf it’s a bit dull, and too dependent on a what-I-learned voice-over to make its points, it can still be applauded for resisting the temptation to overreach.
- 25The PlaylistKevin JagernauthThe PlaylistKevin JagernauthManufactured and manicured to appeal to the teenage fans of Green's book, Paper Towns is so polished and edgeless, that even Margo herself would look at the finished product, and question its authenticity.