Monte Carlo 2011

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel: You take movies like this for what they are and for whom they're intended. But this script, this leaden direction ensures that even as the teen wish-fulfillment fantasy, complete with young women playing dress-up, "Monte Carlo" fails. Read more

James Rocchi, MSN Movies: But it's Gomez, on the poster in a ball gown and cowboy boots, who will lure the audience into the theaters. And she is ... fine. Read more

Manohla Dargis, New York Times: Its Noah's-Ark-like coupling aside, the movie is at times awkwardly charming and generally innocuous: the stepsister isn't the baddie, and female friendship isn't an impediment to a happily ever after. Read more

Logan Hill, New York Magazine/Vulture: Even within the manipulative Princess-for-a-Day genre, Disney Channel product Selena Gomez's Monte Carlo is a chintzy knockoff. Read more

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: None of this makes much sense - except for the clear message that Europe is more fun if you're rich - but it doesn't really need to. Read more

Scott Tobias, AV Club: The biggest of many problems with Monte Carlo is that the fantasy cannot possibly be enjoyed for a second, because the deception looms so large. Read more

Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: It all gets sappy and do-goody and the premise never holds water in the first place. Read more

Jake Coyle, Associated Press: Meester and Cassidy provide solid sidekicks, though that perhaps sells them short: They ultimately carry the movie. All of their storylines lead to self-discovery and sappiness. Read more

Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: Were I a certain 12-year-old girl, "Monte Carlo'' would be a giant frosted pastry, even if that pastry tastes suspiciously like Gomez's 2009 Disney Channel Original Movie, "Princess Protection Program.'' Read more

Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader: The movie hits a surprising range of emotional grace notes, including several moments of genuine regret, and concludes with an understated moral lesson about the value of self-respect over social status, Read more

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: Disguises, deceptions -- you could call the narrative of "Monte Carlo" Shakespearean, but I prefer to consider Shakespeare's romantic comedies as "Selena Gomez-esque." Read more

Nancy Churnin, Dallas Morning News: After Selena Gomez's auspicious big-screen debut in Ramona and Beezus, Monte Carlo feels like two steps back for the Wizards of Waverly Place star. Read more

Adam Graham, Detroit News: Director Thomas Bezucha lingers too long on side plots and doesn't give the film emotional resonance. Read more

Keith Staskiewicz, Entertainment Weekly: It's all very silly and contrived, but it's also airy and agreeably laid-back, not unlike a decent vacation. Read more

Eric D. Snider, Film.com: It provides young girls with some harmless wish-fulfillment without talking down to them, an increasingly rare quality in movies aimed at young people. Read more

Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter: A less-than-bubbly teen comic romp aimed at little princesses. Read more

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger: The scenery is pretty, the actresses work hard and it all goes by fairly quickly, if unmemorably. Read more

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: Director and co-writer Thomas Bezucha shows no particular flair for either of his jobs. But kids are unlikely to focus on the terrible editing, flat visuals, or lack of character development. Read more

Sara Stewart, New York Post: For a movie called "Monte Carlo," this one keeps the stakes pretty low. Read more

Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer: For girls of a certain age (and their mothers), Monte Carlo hits the sweet spot. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: It's chirpy, it's bright, there are pretty locations and lots happens. This is the kind of movie that can briefly hold the attention of a cat. Read more

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: It's unpleasant where it should be pleasant, convoluted where it should be streamlined, anxiety provoking where it should be easy, and long, long, long - at least 20 minutes longer than it has a right to be. Read more

Jennie Punter, Globe and Mail: Despite its soul-searching pretensions, the movie hinges on what is essentially a con -- one bereft of tension and so sanitized for young female viewers that little room is left for temptation or humour or good old-fashioned summer shenanigans. Read more

Alonso Duralde, TheWrap: Teen girls who want a vicarious overseas jaunt are advised to follow Emma's lead in one scene of Monte Carlo and watch To Catch a Thief instead. Read more

Derek Adams, Time Out: Ridiculously contrived, superficial throughout and too sugary, 'Monte Carlo' is still too innocent and convivial to cast too many aspersions on. Read more

Greg Quill, Toronto Star: The movie sputs out like fizzled fireworks in the Monte Carlo night. Read more

Claudia Puig, USA Today: Monte Carlo is all about deja vu, cobbling together elements from so many other sources it feels like movie stew. Read more

Lael Loewenstein, Variety: A frothy, innocuous smorgasbord of girlhood wish fulfillment that scores a direct hit with its target demo. Read more

Stephanie Merry, Washington Post: The movie could have benefitted from shaving about 20 minutes off. There's no need to prolong the inevitable. Read more