14
Metascore
6 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- A mess on every narrative and technical level.
- 30Los Angeles TimesNoel MurrayLos Angeles TimesNoel MurrayThe woodenness of China Salesman, coupled with the general oddness of a two-fisted adventure yarn about hyper-aggressive telecom companies, gives this movie some “weird cinema” appeal. But if you can’t tolerate stinky cheese, leave this one on the shelf.
- 30VarietyDennis HarveyVarietyDennis HarveyIt’s the rare kind of sprawling, costly hot mess that achieves instant camp gratification other fiascos must wait decades to ripen toward.
- 30Film Journal InternationalMaitland McDonaghFilm Journal InternationalMaitland McDonaghIf it were half an hour shorter, China Salesman (released overseas as Deadly Contract, the epitome of generic titling) might be a candidate for “so bad it’s good (or at least kind of fun)” status. But it’s not.
- 0RogerEbert.comSimon AbramsRogerEbert.comSimon AbramsThe film's nature as a work of propaganda would be more deplorable—or at least eyeroll-inducing—if it weren't so poorly blocked, scripted, performed, and choreographed. There is no joy in Seagal-ville, dear rubber-neckers, because pretty much everybody here has struck out.
- 0Village VoiceCraig D. LindseyVillage VoiceCraig D. LindseyChina Salesman has got to be one of the most baffling, expensive pats on the back China has ever given itself.