30
Metascore
4 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 38RogerEbert.comBrian TallericoRogerEbert.comBrian TallericoTo be fair, the slow burn does eventually catch fire and there’s lots of screaming and heavy breathing and dark tunnels and running and what-not. The relatively tense final half-hour is clearly the reason that very smart producer Jason Blum thought this would be a solid follow-up to “Paranormal Activity.” It’s that first hour that is the reason it took six years to (barely) get released.
- 30We Got This CoveredMatt DonatoWe Got This CoveredMatt DonatoArea 51 is everything that's wrong with not only found footage films, but also weak-minded sci-fi thrillers that think crazed talking heads and fuzzy shadows are scary enough.
- 20The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckThe Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckTedious, visually unsatisfying, poorly acted and narratively disjointed, Area 51 is a textbook example of directorial sophomore slump.