The Untouchables 1987

Critics score:
80 / 100

Reviews provided by RottenTomatoes

Dave Kehr, Chicago Tribune: It's an action film without much personality or drive and without enough imaginative detail to make the action gripping or meaningful. Read more

Sheila Benson, Los Angeles Times: Where, under his stainless-steel incorruptibility, was Ness' gnawing flaw? To Mamet and De Palma, goodness and dullness seem inseparable. Read more

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel: The Untouchables could be the breakthrough movie for Kevin Costner, a folksy, Gary Cooperish actor who holds center stage as Eliot Ness. Read more

Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer: A deeply satisfying and entertaining Prohibition gang-buster directed with a Tommy gun's rat-tat-tat. Read more

Vincent Canby, New York Times: It's vulgar, violent, funny and sometimes breathtakingly beautiful. Read more

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader: The results are watchable enough, with a particularly adept use of Sean Connery, Chicago locations, and period details. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: An unqualified triumph. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: ...it does not have a great script, great performances or great direction. Read more

Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine: It goes to that place that all films aspiring to greatness must attain: the country of myth, where all the figures must be larger and more vivid than life. Read more

Brian Case, Time Out: The narrative thunders to its conclusion like a locomotive. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: The Untouchables is a beautifully crafted portrait of Prohibition-era Chicago. Read more

Hal Hinson, Washington Post: ...only marginally entertaining. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: ...an entertaining but incongruous mix of class and pulp. Read more