71
Metascore
20 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 83Entertainment WeeklyChris NashawatyEntertainment WeeklyChris NashawatyOut of costume, Spinney is as impossibly sunny as his alter ego (with none of the crankiness of his other incarnation, Oscar the Grouch). At 80, he has no plans to hang up his feathers—welcome news for kids and parents everywhere.
- 80The DissolveJen ChaneyThe DissolveJen ChaneyI Am Big Bird breezes by a couple of opportunities to dig deeper into thornier subject matter, but those minor oversights don’t hurt the film in any significant way.
- 80The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckThe Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckShines a much deserved spotlight on this unheralded artist.
- 75Slant MagazineChuck BowenSlant MagazineChuck BowenThe transcendence that the film offers isn't to be taken lightly considering the near impossibility of living professionally as an artist.
- 70Village VoiceAlan ScherstuhlVillage VoiceAlan ScherstuhlI like what I Am Big Bird is trying to do — I just wish it were a little less Bird-nice, and a little more Grouch-frank.
- 70The New York TimesNeil GenzlingerThe New York TimesNeil GenzlingerThis film, by Dave LaMattina and Chad Walker, reminds us that even the most omnipresent cultural phenomena were created by someone, usually through a combination of hard work and happenstance.
- 60EmpireEmpireAn affectionate portrait of a big-hearted man and a fitting testament to the enduring appeal of Sesame Street.
- Where Elmo proved to be spiky Kevin Clash’s alter-ego, this sweet if superfluous doc shows that Spinney is Big Bird, a tireless performer who refuses to retire.
- 60Time OutTime OutIt’s an adoring portrait — almost cloyingly so — with an emotional soundtrack that grates a little.
- 58The A.V. ClubJesse HassengerThe A.V. ClubJesse HassengerHenson saw potential in Spinney that he proceeded to realize over the course of many years. I Am Big Bird only has 90 minutes to cover the basics.