...The Lovely Bones manages to move audiences and show that Jackson is a daring director, who still has a lot to say. [Full review in Spanish]

| Original Score: 6/10 | Feb 3, 2025

At once, the director is doing too much visually while not doing enough dramatically.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Aug 28, 2023

Brilliant performances by all involved are about the only things that remain consistent.

| Original Score: 4/10 | Nov 29, 2020

Tucci creates a quietly masterful portrayal.

| Original Score: 3.0/4.0 | Sep 15, 2020

I was drawn to the film because of Peter Jackson's involvement, but the creativity of the imagery did not astound me.

| Apr 10, 2020

The emotional core of The Lovely Bones should be closer to Heavenly Creatures, but Jackson has sacrificed feeling for effect.

| Jan 23, 2020

Like Jackson missed the target completely and instead hit the cat standing 30 feet away from it.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Jun 7, 2019

Despite all its promise, the film left me cold. I just never completely bought into the experience, which seemed to be calculated and lacking the heart and depth it so desperately wants to convey.

| Original Score: C | May 11, 2019

Both [Saoirse] Ronan and [Stanley] Tucci are worth the price of an admission ticket.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 16, 2019

Director Peter Jackson's brilliant ability to bring fantasy to film may have been his Achilles heel here, as he dwells with signature fondness on Susie's journey to heaven. I will say, however, that the acting is spectacular.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Dec 6, 2018

The desire for showmanship gets in the way of characterization and plot.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 4, 2018

Stick with this devastating, yet curiously uplifting drama as best you can, for the emotional pay-off cannot be denied.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Aug 8, 2018

Most will hopefully see that in this very creative, authoritative film Peter Jackson preserves the characters, the theme, the dread, the delight found in the novel - and has added just enough of his own.

| May 23, 2018

It's an interesting way to tell a heartbreaking story a young girl whose life was taken away too soon, and whose family fights to pull the pieces together after their loss.

| Original Score: B+ | Sep 12, 2017

This movie has about seven different tones it hops around, and it does so at all the wrong times.

| Original Score: C- | Jun 22, 2013

| Original Score: C | Feb 18, 2012

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 18, 2011

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 17, 2011

Your own peace will come after you walk out, trying hard not to laugh at how crazy-bad it all is.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Apr 4, 2011

Unshackled by earthly restraints, Jackson shifts his Weta toolsets into overdrive in a more-is-more free-for-all frenzy.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Mar 30, 2011