Outside of a certain demographic, it's just not going to hit the same way.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Mar 5, 2020

It was fine, I loved Janet Jackson, but for me watching it now, my brain is blank. it wasn't terrible, wasn't good, it was just there. Respect to a Black romantic drama revered in the community, but I'd rather watch Love & Basketball...

| Original Score: 2/5 | Mar 5, 2020

In short, the movie's pretty much of a mess, as it struggles with big themes but hasn't figured out what to do with them.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Apr 26, 2019

Its ambitious aims are commendable in themselves, but regrettable since they overinflate what might have been a simpler and better film.

| Apr 26, 2019

If what you really want to see is a simple love story, this is the picture for you. Simple it is, as in simple-minded.

| Apr 26, 2019

After a deceptively funny and offbeat beginning, the movie keeps restarting; each new start shows some promise, and Singleton's talent never really deserts him-but the parts don't come together to create a unified story.

| Apr 26, 2019

"Poetic Justice" is a disappointment.

| Apr 26, 2019

After making a big splash with his first film, Boyz N the Hood, John Singleton lost his way somewhat with this twee, right-on drama.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 26, 2019

Some good performances are balanced out by the film's contrivances and gratuitously foul-mouthed characters.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 26, 2019

"Poetic Justice" is thoroughly watchable. The director's script has bite, he is fluid with his camerawork and his eye and ear for details, particularly the details of female life, are superb.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 26, 2019

Nno single performance can hold together this scattered, rambling, pseudo-poetic excursion up the California coastline.

| Mar 4, 2019

John Singleton's follow-up to his stunning debut, Boys N the Hood, is a major disappointment--a sophomore jinx.

| Original Score: C- | Apr 28, 2012

Singleton splatters his ambition all over the screen; he mixes up violence, romance, comedy, rage, and - yes - poetry. Yet he barely demonstrates the discipline to shape a scene.

| Original Score: C- | Sep 7, 2011

"Poetic Justice" has a lot to commend, but discipline is not high on the list.

| Jul 22, 2008

An honorable failure, a flawed attempt to take black film out of the macho gangsta ghetto.

| Feb 9, 2006

The two leads are raw but completely intriguing, and Poetic Justice offers a slice of the urban story that we generally don't get to see.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Dec 21, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | May 6, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 0/5 | May 27, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Mar 4, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 21, 2004