27
Metascore
12 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 70PolygonKeith PhippsPolygonKeith PhippsThough any Cage-free attempts at comedy fall flat, the action remains exciting, thanks in large part to Logothetis’ steady-handed, no-frills approach. Who knew putting together a bunch of gifted martial artists and letting them exercise those skills could take an action film so far?
- 60IGNKristy PuchkoIGNKristy PuchkoThe performances range from wooden Moussi to full-on Cage, so it's tonally all over the place. As a whole, it's an absolute mess, which makes it kind of perfect for 2020. Still, within this swamp of style, wildness, and TOO too much, there are some truly exhilarating treasures, chief among them Cage. In short, it's not good, but maybe being a lot just enough.
- 50Wall Street JournalJohn AndersonWall Street JournalJohn AndersonJiu Jitsu is an ambitious undertaking in its way, one that will probably tickle hardcore martial-arts and samurai movie fans, although the attraction may be more academic than adrenaline-fueled.
- 38Slant MagazineSteven ScaifeSlant MagazineSteven ScaifeNicolas Cage’s amusing turn as a kooky hermit with an affinity for newspaper hats often feels awkwardly spliced into the film.
- 38RogerEbert.comSimon AbramsRogerEbert.comSimon AbramsJiu Jitsu is too disjointed and tame to be worth an impulse-rent; it's also too silly to be enjoyed with a straight face, and too lazy to be endearingly dopey.
- 25Movie NationRoger MooreMovie NationRoger MooreThe fights are reasonably well-choreographed, the stuntwork not totally obvious. The effects are adequate, there are half-assed “graphic novel” chapter breaks and titles — “The Rabbit,” and the like. The story? Strictly wakkie nunu. At least Cage is here for a few laughs.
- 25IndieWireTambay ObensonIndieWireTambay ObensonIf the overlong and often tedious brawls were at least believable and well-choreographed, maybe there would be something commendable and entertaining to be derived from the experience of watching the film.
- 20Austin ChronicleMarc SavlovAustin ChronicleMarc SavlovLess a Nic Cage movie than a movie with an extended cameo by Nic Cage in a “finely crafted” paper hat (!), this Greek/Cypriot co-production mixes mediocre martial artistry with a sci-fi spin and ends up a puzzlement to both genres.
- 10The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeThe Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeMonotonous, unimaginative actioner.
- 0San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalleSan Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalleCage’s latest film, Jiu Jitsu must represent his career worst — and keep in mind, this is the man who made 1989’s “Vampire’s Kiss,” in which he ate a cockroach.