Critics’ reviews

The Bodyguard (1992)

10 reviews from 10 publications. Critics’ score 59: 4 positive, 4 mixed, 2 negative.

Back to our review of The Bodyguard

59
Positive
4
Mixed
4
Negative
2

The reviews lean towards a mixed verdict, with praise clustering around Whitney Houston’s singing and screen presence. Her musical performances, particularly “I Will Always Love You”, are a recurring pleasure even for critics who find the story implausible. The more favourable responses enjoy an old-fashioned romantic fantasy whose stars compensate for a predictable script. Houston’s acting also earns substantial support, though enthusiasm for the central romance is less consistent.

The main reservations concern an unconvincing thriller plot, uneven tone and pacing, but judgements range from warm affection to firm disappointment. Collider praises Houston and Kevin Costner’s chemistry and the slow-burning romance. The Los Angeles Times disputes that chemistry, finding the film compulsively watchable largely because its failings become camp entertainment. Variety welcomes Houston’s debut but objects to choppy editing and an overlong climax. The divide is chiefly over how much the stars and songs can excuse.

Empire
1 January 2000 · Barry McIlheney
70*

The critic finds the film entertaining despite its preposterous, predictable story. Whitney Houston’s performance and singing are singled out for praise.

Read the full review →
The Guardian
3 November 2022 · Peter Bradshaw
70*

Bradshaw finds the film an irresistible, hokey romantic fantasy that still charms as innocent popcorn entertainment. He singles out Whitney Houston’s powerhouse musical numbers, especially her performance of “I Will Always Love You.”

Read the full review →
The Hollywood Reporter
20 November 1992 · Duane Byrge
70*

Byrge finds the film an appealing, old-fashioned opposites-attract romance, despite uneven emotional tone. He particularly praises Whitney Houston’s graceful, forceful screen presence and performances.

Read the full review →
The New York Times
25 November 1992 · Janet Maslin
64*

The page text is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined reliably. The URL headline frames the story as a clash between a tragic flaw and a pampered pop star, but offers no clear praise or complaint.

Read the full review →
Time Out
· CM
64*

The page identifies this as a film review, but the critic’s verdict is unavailable. The accessible metadata names the performances and setup but gives no praise or complaint.

Read the full review →
Radio Times
★★★ · Sue Heal
60

Heal says the film’s stars overcome the limitations of its daft script. She praises the well-staged set-pieces and Houston’s acting debut, as well as her rendition of “I Will Always Love You.”

Read the full review →
RogerEbert.com
25 November 1992 · ★★ · Roger Ebert
50

Ebert gives the film a negative verdict, finding its thriller plot unconvincing. He singles out Whitney Houston’s screen presence as a strength.

Read the full review →
Los Angeles Times
25 November 1992 · PETER RAINER
35*

Rainer finds the film poor but compulsively watchable, with its flaws often making it enjoyably bad. He singles out the sword scene and gaudy Oscars finale as memorable camp, while criticizing the lead performances and lack of chemistry.

Read the full review →
Variety
19 November 1992 · Brian Lowry
30*

Lowry finds the film a jumbled, poorly paced disappointment, despite its appealing central pairing. He praises Houston’s screen debut and polished musical showcase, while criticizing the choppy editing and overlong climax.

Read the full review →
Collider
25 November 2022 · B+ · Carly Lane
83

Lane finds the film worthwhile despite a muddled thriller plot, praising the slow-burning romance. She singles out Houston and Costner’s chemistry, especially their expressive performances and Houston’s magnetic presence.

Read the full review →

Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate