Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away 2012

A.O. Scott, New York Times: Even if the film is no substitute for the real thing, it is at least an effective advertisement. Read more

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: For older kids or grown-ups who've dreamed of joining the circus, it's a wildly imaginative treat. Read more

Loren King, Boston Globe: A moderately enjoyable film that lacks the awe-inspiring visual and aural aplomb of Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil's live shows. Read more

Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader: This big-screen vehicle for the popular performance troupe would be more bearable if the exhibitors passed out earplugs along with the 3-D glasses. Read more

Megan Lehmann, Hollywood Reporter: A negligible narrative takes nothing away from the heart-stopping beauty of the visuals in this 3D spectacular. Read more

Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times: "Worlds Away" functions solely as some sort of bargain sampler platter appetizer, never proving it has a real reason of its own to exist. Read more

Howard Cohen, Miami Herald: The technically well-made movie simply can't replicate the live experience of a Cirque show, and at just over 90 minutes, Worlds Away still feels long. Read more

Rafer Guzman, Newsday: Loyal fans may love the nonstop riot of imagery and music, though others may not even comprehend what's happening on screen. Read more

Sara Stewart, New York Post: It's refreshing to sit back and bask in the sheer joy with which these brightly costumed, stunningly agile performers navigate fire, water and air. Read more

Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer: Inevitably, every time Adamson begins to involve the movie audience in the tumbling and wire work, the editor cuts to a different angle, breaking audience identification and concentration. Read more

Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle: It's a big promo reel, and not a carefully disguised one. Read more

Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Cirque du Soleil: World's Away" is a rare entertainment, being for the benefit of everyone. Read more

Linda Barnard, Toronto Star: It serves as a greatest-hits reel of the staggeringly gorgeous and superbly creative acts of the Canadian-born entertainment phenomenon cherry picked from seven Cirque productions. Read more

Rob Nelson, Variety: A bona fide high-wire act, Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away delivers towering thrills through its candy-colored 3D ode to the titular outfit's astounding acrobatics. Read more

Alan Scherstuhl, Village Voice: The rare movie whose title serves as an accurate indicator of whether you will enjoy seeing it. Read more

Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post: What the movie lacks, unfortunately, is coherence. Read more