--- title: "The Bodyguard: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-bodyguard/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-bodyguard" critics_score: 59 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Bodyguard (1992): what the critics said Critics' score 59 from 10 reviews: 4 positive, 4 mixed, 2 negative. 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 — Barry McIlheney Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic finds the film entertaining despite its preposterous, predictable story. Whitney Houston’s performance and singing are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/bodyguard-review/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 3 November 2022. 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 review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/nov/03/the-bodyguard-review-whitney-houston-showstopper-as-resplendent-as-ever) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Duane Byrge Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 20 November 1992. 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 review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/the-bodyguard-review-whitney-houston-kevin-costner-1236070862/) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 25 November 1992. 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 review](https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/25/movies/review-film-bodyguard-tragic-flaw-meets-pampered-pop-star-over-multiple-risks.html) ## Time Out — CM Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 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 review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-bodyguard) ## Radio Times — Sue Heal Rating 3/5. 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 review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-4jv8to/the-bodyguard/) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating ★★. 25 November 1992. 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 review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-bodyguard-1992) ## Los Angeles Times — PETER RAINER Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 25 November 1992. 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 review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-25-ca-742-story.html) ## Variety — Brian Lowry Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 1992. 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 review](https://variety.com/1992/film/reviews/the-bodyguard-3-1200430915/) ## Collider — Carly Lane Rating B+. 25 November 2022. 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 review](https://collider.com/the-bodyguard-review-whitney-houston-kevin-costner/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-bodyguard.md