The Positive Rob Pattinson Reviews
As far as I can tell, Rob seems to have gotten around 70% or more positive reviews for this movie. People keep posting negative rhetoric so I thought I'd start a thread to just compile the positive stuff. The movie currently stands at 60% Fresh on RT and 77% from the Broadcast Film Critics Association but Rob got quite a bit more positives than that. Most negative reviews seem hung up on Edward Cullen which says more about the reviewer than Rob's capabilities, in my opinion. Stole a couple of these from moviejunkie on Rob's board and I'll add more as the days go by.
CNN
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/Movies/04/21/water.for.elephants.r eview/index.html?hpt=Sbin
As for Pattinson, this slender, smoldering 24-year-old is destined to be patronized by the critics and probably a good part of the male population for a while, but he looks like the real deal to me. He has the bone structure, but he also has a sensitivity and seriousness that should stand him in good stead.
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/water-for-elephants,1169505/c ritic-review.html
In his meatiest major-studio role outside the “Twilight” canon, Pattinson acquits himself well.
NBC
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/popcornbiz/120369779.html
While "Water for Elephants" isn't without some serious script-related stumbles (sorry, Hal), it's a pedigreed drama of great beauty that announces Pattinson as a star to be reckoned long after the dust of "Breaking Dawn" settles.
Rolling Stone
http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/water-for-elephants-2011042 1
Pattinson and Witherspoon smolder under the golden gaze of Rodrigo Prieto's camera.
TIME
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,2066707,00.html#ixzz1KGzM SHON
Is there life beyond the living dead? Can Robert Pattinson, the 24-year-old Englishman who achieved a teen-talisman celebrity playing the dreamboat vampire Edward, find longevity in a post-Twilight Saga acting career?
For a few moments in Water for Elephants, the answer seems yes. As Jacob Jankowski, a part that requires him mainly to be shy and watchful, RPattz radiates a slow magnetism that locks the viewer's eyes on him.
Variety
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117945058?refcatid=31
Looking far more handsome than Holbrook ever did, Pattinson brings the same sullen sensitivity to 23-year-old Jacob that he has to the "Twilight" pics -- perfectly fitting for an overnight orphan so recently derailed from his intended life path.
<snip>
Considering the unassuming roots of the book on which "Water for Elephants" is based, along with its misfit-focused subject, there's no small irony that the pic should attract such a first-choice roster of collaborators: From dream-cast headliners Pattinson, Witherspoon and Waltz all the way down the line to d.p. Roberto Prieto, composer James Newton Howard (whose rich orchestral score sadly lacks a clear theme) and production designer Jack Fisk, the show is strictly A-list.
ABC
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/hollywood_wrap&id=8 089526
Pattinson continues to impress outside the world of "Twilight." In this movie, he's a gentle wounded soul,
The Hollywood Reporter
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/water-elephants-movie-review-1 80802
—may be well-worn but can always work in the right hands, and Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson and Christoph Waltz are all more than up to the task.
<snip>
Looking 300 per cent better than he did in his last non-”Twilight” outing, “Remember Me,” Pattinson is entirely convincing as Jacob, a Cornell veterinary school student who escapes from the ruin provoked by his parents' untimely death by almost inadvertently joining the circus.
Japan Times
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/rss/ff20120217a2.html
So "Water for Elephants comes as a surprise, because Pattinson in the lead role is, to put it bluntly, excellent. Director Francis Lawrence ("I am Legend") deploys Pattinson's particular privileged-but-unhappy aura to full advantage, and the movie reaps heaps of benefits from his skittishness, his subtle note of unreliability and that calculated lopsided grin. Plus, he takes a punch in the face, which is more than a little gratifying to witness. Win-win, all round.
Buffalo News
http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/gusto/movies/movie-reviews/ar ticle400539.ece
And, are you ready, the love triangle is acted splendidly by Witherspoon, Waltz and, yes, Pattinson as the young vet. It’s going to surprise people who’ve only seen Pattinson in “Twilight” foolishness that he can hold his own onscreen with a couple of Oscar winners, but the boy can.
CBS News Online, Showbuzz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBrl8pbBZgA
"This film transforms Pattinson into a full fledged movie star, holding his own against both Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz and Reese Witherspoon."
At the Movies
http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s3206367.htm
This is a most fabulous film, the performances of the three leads are exemplary,
Total Film
http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/water-for-elephants
Drum roll, deathly hush… and glory be, he’s very watchable indeed in this lush, Depression-era melodrama, based on Sara Gruen’s US bestseller.
<snip>
He’s anchoring a movie that’s old-fashioned in the best sense; one that likes its spectacle big and spangly (lions and tigers and coochie girls, oh my!) and its emotional arc bigger, so Jacob’s mixture of restrained doe-eyed suffering, idealism, and hot-headed protectiveness fits it like a tuxedo.
Believability in a period role takes some doing, but Pattinson’s understated aw-shucks courtesy and retro Montgomery Clift vibe pulls it off with élan.
<snip>
Verdict:
A swoony, enjoyable, old-time romance whose best acts are a period-perfect Pattinson and a playful pachyderm.
Atlantic Highlands Herald
http://www.ahherald.com/columns-mainmenu-28/at-the-movies/10761-review -water-for-elephants
The movie is just so well done and so well cast. Who the heck is Robert Pattinson? We are talking a serious heart throb who can really act. Totally dominates the screen and is the hero on to the animals and people alike.
Irish mail
http://thinkingofrob.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/top-bmp.jpg
But up on the big screen, it's quite wonderful: beautiful to look at, immensely moving at times, and extraordinarily well cast and well acted.
Above all, this is the movie that surely proves Robert Pattinson will have a film career once the Twilight Saga comes to a close. Hollywood is chock-full of handsome young hunks but few are quite as photogenic, and here the camera absolutely loves him. Reminiscent of James Dean in some scenes, and more a young George Clooney in others; as long as he picks his projects wisely and looks after himself, Pattinson could be around for a long time.
And if he keeps making films as food as this, I won't be complaining.
Moviefone
http://www.moviefone.co.uk/2011/05/04/water-for-elephants-review-we-gi ve-our-verdict/
What's good about it?
<snip>
Pattinson could have been forgiven for phoning in his performance, relying solely on miraculous cheekbones and his current tidal wave of adoration. Instead, he acts his chops off, running around with a lot more colour in his cheeks than poor old Edward Cullen ever enjoyed. Pattinson fans needn't worry, the boy's proved there'll be life in him post-Twilight.
Killer Movie Reviews
http://www.killermoviereviews.com/main.php?nextlink=display&dId=14 05&subLinks=
Performances find the truth in the artifice of circus life, and of the movies. Witherspoon in particular is tough without being hard. Waltz, as in his Oscar™-winning turn in INGLORIOUS BASTERDS, makes evil fascinating and not a little seductive, while Pattinson, freed from the white pancake and clunking dialogue of the undead, brings a sweet innocence to the part, one that makes the symbolism of Rosie’s trunk curling up to his chin as he talks with Marlena disingenuous, almost sweet, rather than vulgar and obvious. And there is no getting around that the elephant playing Rosie holds her own in moments of both pathos and pure joy.
Hitfix
http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/motion-captured/posts/review-water-for-ele phants-is-effective-old-fashioned-melodrama
It makes me laugh that Robert Pattinson is playing a character named Jacob in this one, but honestly, he continues to impress me as a guy who just needs to get past this particular moment in his career so he can start being viewed as an actor and not just his franchise.
<snip>
For me, Pattinson and Waltz are the movie.
Access Hollywood
http://www.accesshollywood.com/moviemantz/moviemantz-review-water-for- elephants_articletab_46945
not only does Pattinson give an impressive performance, but he also holds his own alongside his Oscar-winning co-stars,
The Sunday Mirror
http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/film/film-reviews/2011/05/01/fall-punch -trunk-in-love-with-water-for-elephants-115875-23097197/#ixzz1L2oN7uyG
Robert Pattinson takes a break from his moody vampire in the Twilight films to play a moody would-be vet in this elegant tale, and despite his role being as much about his looks as his performance, he is impressive as a penniless Pole who finds work and romance under the big top.
The CW
http://weblogs.thecwdc.com/entertainment/movies/willie-waffle/2011/04/ water-for-elephants-review.html
Pattinson is great with the longing looks, yearning for the woman he shouldn't pursue and the way he brings Jacob's compassion for the animals through to the audience,
Moviehole
http://www.moviehole.net/201139965-michael-predicts-water-for-elephant s-one-of-2011s-best-films
But the main attraction here is the performances of the three stars. Witherspoon has been very scarce on screen since winning the Best Actress Oscar in 2005 for “Walk the Line.” In the six years before winning the award she appeared in no fewer than nine films. Since, she has appeared in half that number. Her work here is perfectly nuanced in a role that could have quite easily been cliché’d. Waltz is perfect as August in a role that shows us why that Oscar win was so well deserved. But the surprise here, for me anyway, is Pattinson. Quiet and brooding in the “Twilight” films he seems to jump off the screen here, matching Waltz and Witherspoon scene for scene. Who knew this kid could act?? Well done young man.
MacLeans
http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/04/21/opening-weekend-water-for-elephants -african-cats-bill-cunningham-new-york/
Pattinson delivers a solid, well-modulated performance that shows there’s a real actor lurking in the skin of Twilight‘s Edward Cullen,
News of the World
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/notw/nol_showbiz/nolcelebrity_movies/1 284402/Verdict-Empathy-and-ivory.html
Plus, Pattinson's massive face looks quite a lot like Buster Keaton's - he's got a silent-movie-star quality that makes him a perfect choice for the lead. (Also, he's really good.)
Three Movie Buffs
http://www.threemoviebuffs.com/review/waterforelephants
As a fan of Witherspoon, but not normally of Pattinson, I would have guessed before the film that I would have liked her better, but while he actually does a great job, Reese seems miscast.
The Stirling Observer
http://www.stirlingobserver.co.uk/stirling-news/local-news-stirling/ne ws-stirling/2011/09/16/animal-attraction-of-elephant-movie-51226-29430 281/
Water For Elephants has a feel of old Hollywood glamour and storytelling about it. It is beautifully shot, has more than a hint of the movie romances of yesteryear and features strong performances from its leads.
<snip>
Pattinson doesn’t float my boat, but there’s no denying that he has a Rudolph Valentino screen idol look to him ideally suited to this movie.
Reel Talk Reviews
http://www.reeltalkreviews.com/browse/viewitem.asp?type=review&id= 3646
Plus various situations in the Big Top and on a train as the circus travels from town to town add considerable suspense to the film, and stars Reese Witherspoon (Oscar winner for Walk the Line), Robert Pattinson (Twilight), and Christoph Waltz (Oscar winner for Inglourious Basterds) deliver excellent performances in the key roles here. Pattinson surprised me with his sensitive portrayal of Jacob, a young veterinarian student who drops out of college after his parents die in a tragic accident.
The Movie Guy
http://entertainmentspectrum.com/index/movies/1163/waterforelephants.h tml
Pattinson shows maturity in his acting. He holds up his end as the central figure and also serves as the voice-over narrator for the bulk of the movie. His winning chemistry with the elephant is apparent from their initial meeting.
The Scorecard
http://thescorecardreview.com/review/film-reviews/2011/04/22/water-for -elephants/19593
Robert Pattinson as Jacob: He’s good. You can easily see why the ladies on the train throw themselves at him.He gives Rob's performance a 7/10 and has a few snarky remarks but I count this as very positive since he gives Christoph and Reese 5 and 6, respectively.
Cole Smith The Smartest Film Critic in the World
http://www.colesmithey.com/capsules/2011/04/water-for-elephants.html
Set during the Depression, the film follows the adventures of Polish immigrant Jacob Jankowski (well played by Robert Pattinson).
Urban Cinefile
http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=17788&s=Reviews
A rich, layered story filled with emotional undercurrents, Water for Elephants is both a love story and a character drama, and satisfying on all counts. The three leads deliver wonderful characterisations and the screenplay (well adapted from the novel) adds depth and resonance to the love triangle in a way that rejuvenates the old device.
Robert Pattinson is completely free of his famous Twilight vampire persona as Jacob, and makes an effective, likeable (and minimalist) Jacob. There is just the right chemistry between him and Reese Witherspoon as Marlena, who clings to her domineering and volatile husband August, played with wonderful nuance by Christoph Waltz. The three of them, often on screen together, create a terrific dynamic.
Big Daddy Kev
http://www.bdkreviews.com/recent.php#waterforelephants
Anyone who thinks Robert Pattinson is just that kid from Twilight needs to watch this film or Remember Me. He is extremely talented and once Twilight is over, I really do feel that he's going to prove himself to be one of the best working actors today. His chemistry with Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz, two Academy Award Winners, was perfect. The emotional range of Christoph Waltz mixed with the emotions of Pattinson and Witherspoon is what makes the film work.
The Daily Express
http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/244966/Film-review-Water-For- Elephants/
Twilight heart-throb Pattinson is well cast.
Jacob is meant to be awkward, bashful and shy and Pattinson’s earnest performance supplies just those qualities, while having to spout dialogue such as: “You are a beautiful woman, you deserve a beautiful life.”
Liverpool Echo
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-entertainment/echo-reviews/20 11/05/06/film-review-water-for-elephants-100252-28643145/
Pattinson acquits himself well in this adaptation of the novel by Sara Gruen about a doomed love affair in a 1930s circus troupe, playing to his strengths – angry-ridden glances straight into the camera – as one point of a volatile love triangle that’s destined to end in tragedy.
He demonstrates impressive emotional range and although screen chemistry with Reese Witherspoon doesn’t exactly set our hearts aflutter, they are an attractive pairing.
What Would Toto Watch
http://whatwouldtotowatch.com/2011/04/22/water-for-elephants-movie-rev iew-toto-pattinson/
Frankly speaking, it’s a pleasure to get lost in this world. And while Pattinson can’t heat things up with Witherspoon, he’s a fine audience surrogate for the craziness under the big top. He oozes decency, which makes him stand out like a 3-D effect in this seedy terrain.
The Age
http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/water-for-elephants-2011 0519-1eu8i.html
Witherspoon is a tad twee while Pattinson puts in his best non-vampire work yet,
The Herald Sun
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/movies/film-review-water-for -elephants/story-e6frf8r6-1226054557365
IF good looks could kill, Robert Pattinson would be facing charges of mass murder simply for stepping before the cameras.
The lady-slaying heart-throb of Twilight fame is not required to act in the conventional sense of the word.
Having been blessed with a delicately sculpted cranium that catches the light just so, all Pattinson needs to do is to remain relatively still and stare intently in an appropriate direction.
All the better for everyone else to stare intensely in his direction.
Needless to say, Water for Elephants is stacked with moody money shots of the Pattinson dial, which may never change channels in our lifetime.
Vulture
http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/04/movie_reiew_robert_pattin son_l.html
In fact, Pattinson's beauty crowds out just about everything else.This is actually said in a negative manner. I actually consider this a positive. In my opinion, what the viewer is reacting to is Rob's powerful screen presence. I think that's why some people had an over the top reaction. You can't take your eyes off him and it needs to be discussed whether positively or negatively.
Water for Elephants
http://tinyurl.com/6jpsf6p share