There's even room, in the midst of the carnage and mayhem, for a surprising amount of grace, humor, and whimsy.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
23 Oct 2004
rotten:
The humor is predicated on underplaying in overscaled situations, which is sporadically funny in a Keaton-esque way but soon sputters out through sheer, uninspired repetition.
– Dave Kehr,
Chicago Reader,
1 Apr 2008
fresh:
Given all the chaos, director and, with Aykroyd, cowriter, John Landis manages to keep things reasonably controlled and in a straight line.
– Variety Staff,
Variety,
1 Apr 2008
rotten:
A demolition symphony that works with the cold efficiency of a Moog synthesizer gone sadistic.
– Richard Corliss,
TIME Magazine,
20 Aug 2008
fresh:
The film retains a huge nostalgic kick, thanks in large part to Aykroyd and Belushi's easy rapport, a smattering of daft, shaggy humour and some truly iconic musical sequences.