Gnomeo & Juliet

The critical consensus

Given that writer/director Kelly Asbury is a veteran of the Shrek franchise (he directed Shrek 2) it’s hardly surprising to find that the film shares an irreverent pop sensibility, but this goes against it, as does the lack of a genuinely standout sequence.

(*) (*) Rob Carnevale, The List, 02/02/2011

Surprisingly entertaining.

(*) (*) Neil Smith, Total Film, 03/02/2011

Totally crackers but it gets powered by pure invention and eccentricity alone.

(*) (*) David Hughes, Empire Online, 07/02/2011

(*) (*) (*) (*) Nigel Andrews, Financial Times, 09/02/2011

As far as the comedy content goes: well, to quote a well-known song, it's a little bit funny. Not much more than a bit, but enough to make this a cheerful, likable children's picture with a big heart.

(*) (*) Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 10/02/2011

Star power alone isn’t enough, and the makers of Gnomeo & Juliet seem more interested in its plethora of references (Shakespearean and otherwise) than any genuine heart.

Paul Greenwood, Evening Times, 10/02/2011

A rickety garden folly.

(*) (*) (*) Chris Tookey, Daily Mail, 10/02/2011

It's directed with flair and energy, spirited, funny and charming.

(*) (*) John Walsh, The Independent, 11/02/2011

It's like pitting an Austin Princess against a Dodge Charger.

(*) (*) Daily Record, 11/02/2011

Thanks to the guiding hand of director Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2) and sweet voice work in the leads by James McAvoy and Emily Blunt, it’s not bad at all.

(*) (*) Tim Robey, The Telegraph, 11/02/2011

A lot of thought, love and (on the part of the animators) hard work has gone into this picture, and it even has a happy ending.

Philip French, The Observer, 13/02/2011

Lots of silliness and jokes that would make a panto writer blush will keep young ones happy, while adults can play-match the voice to the actor.