I Declare War 2012

Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times: "I Declare War" captures the awkwardness of preadolescence as well as any film since "Stand By Me." Read more

Joe Leydon, Variety: Co-directors Jason Lapeyre and Robert Wilson do little more than repeatedly echo the pic's theme after establishing the basic conceit of Lapeyre's script in the opening minutes. Read more

Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, AV Club: The problem, mainly, is that Lapeyre's kids are stock types: runts, bullies, toadies, a girl with a big crush. Read more

Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: Lapeyre and Wilson provide both a commentary on the effects of real-life combat on its participants and an authentic look at how kids really get along. Read more

Peter Keough, Boston Globe: Imagination is what these filmmakers could use more of, as their ingenious concept doesn't develop much beyond gimmick. Read more

Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader: This Canadian feature cleverly mixes archetypes from war films and coming-of-age movies, defamiliarizing both genres in the process. Read more

John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter: Humor and hurt feelings collide in entertaining teen adventure. Read more

Annlee Ellingson, Los Angeles Times: The performances may be slightly uneven across the cast of a dozen distinct personalities (plus a dog), but overall the effect works because, after all, they're just playacting ... right? Read more

Jordan Hoffman, New York Daily News: [A] surreal, strangely effective look at childhood imagination. Read more

Rick Groen, Globe and Mail: The obvious touchstones are Lord of the Flies and If, with a sprinkling of The Hunger Games added for some contemporary spice. Read more

Peter Howell, Toronto Star: The picture disturbs more than it amuses, but the overall effect is ultimately as scattershot as the ammo. Read more

Alan Scherstuhl, Village Voice: Its heroes are kids; its villains are kids; its fantasies are kids'. But its truths are adult. Read more