Some Reviews:
The Huffington Post (US)
We can't honestly remember the last time Britney Spears looked so gorgeous in a music video. Perhaps she was glowing because her real-life boyfriend Jason Trawick played her onscreen bad boy beau? Whatever it was, she needs to keep this momentum going because "Criminal" might just be Britney's best video in the "Femme Fatale" era.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/1...n_1017318.html
Effie Orfanides, New Music Examiner
The video is being called her most provocative yet. It is set up as a mini-movie that tells the story of a woman (played by Brit) in an abusive relatioship. She then starts dating a bad boy (played by Trawick) and gets herself and him in to trouble with the cops when she robs a convenience store. Although Britney does "sing" the song in the video, it is far different from anything that she has done in the past…
Criminal is getting great reviews, and fans are really diggin' it despite it lacking dancers and other flashy effects. It certainly isn't your typical pop song and Britney has outdone herself yet again.
http://www.examiner.com/new-music-in...o-for-criminal
David, Pop On and On
Ok, I must admit I wasn’t exactly thrilled about “Criminal” being a single but at this moment everything has changed. I can’t explain how much more I like the song now after watching the video only three times! It does the job and it does it oh so well!
The opening clip with the Radiance plug (totally expected) shows Britney appearing as stunning as ever, not since her Onyx Hotel days (remember the promos) have we seen such a glammed up BritBrit on video! A little scuffle and a smack in the face only to be rescued by real life boyfriend Jason and the credits start rolling for the bad ass 5:22 second video.
The Femme Fatale era began a bit shaky but as Britney stans we have loved every moment of it. With each video and every live performance that followed we began to see the fire inside of her burn brighter and brighter. “Criminal” is a clear sign that the little spark that was dimly lit months ago is burning it’s brightest (ouch, I can feel it) and I can only hope that the flame continues to grow. Congratulations Britney Spears, the best video this era by far!
http://poponandon.com/video-premiere...rs-in-criminal
-Pink is the new blog
OMG! It’s OUT!! Britney Spears, who teased the release of her new music video yesterday with a set of amazing animated gifs, has FINALLY released the music video for her new single Criminal … and it is FANTASTIC! The clip is nothing short of a mini-movie, complete with production credits and everything. Previously, we saw photos of Britney and loverman Jason Trawick filming scenes for the video but that particular scene makes up a tiny portion of the whole video. I’m not even kidding, y’all … this video is one of Britney‘s best … of all time.
What a great clip! This video is so good not only because of its high production value but because the story told here is actually entertaining and compelling. The opening scene is … surprising … but not as surprising as the way the story turns out. My two favorite scenes take place in the shower (wow, hot!) and in the rain of bullets. Britney and Jason make a great couple in real life but they also make a pretty great couple on screen as well. Love. This. Video. SO. Effing. MUCH! It’s the best, ain’t it?
http://www.pinkisthenewblog.com/2011...ears-criminal/
Molly Lambert, Grantland
Speaking of which: black lace, shower sex, and coffee in bed! Britney seems happy in this video. Unlike some other times, the happiness here seems genuine, not defensively forced (cough cough Beyoncé). Sure, she's still acting, but the best Britney has always been goofy Britney. Making out in a hail of bullets and vogue-ing for the camera to the low-key grower of a pop-rock bopper. The perennially flawless princess has been integrated with the off-screen corn muffin.
http://www.grantland.com/blog/hollyw...u-underclasses
Tom Townshed, MSN Music UK
Britney Spears has been a lot of things in her music videos: a schoolgirl, an air hostess and even a circus ringmaster, but her latest venture sees her exploring a side of her we've never seen, until now... that of a criminal.
Yes, Britney’s new video sees her taking to a life of crime with her real-life boyfriend Jason Trawick. After watching the finished thing, we have to say it’s certainly not for Britney’s younger fans! It’s pretty jam-packed with violence, raunchy scenes and crime, so much so that for a second you'd be forgiven for thinking you were accidentally watching a Guy Ritchie gangster flick!
Steamy scenes aside though, the video is actually rather compelling and feels more like a short film rather than a pop starlet’s music video.
http://music.uk.msn.com/blog/editor-...6-01cdc1017f37
Lashonda, Chicago Now
While pop princess Britney Spears has been overseas conquering Europe with her Femme Fatale tour. American Britney fans have been anxiously awaiting her new video for her hit song “Criminal”.
The video, was shot in September around London, and is not your typical "Britney" style video. For one, there is no dancing. Two, Britney shows of her great acting chops. And three..... again there is NO DANCING. Personally, I think this is her BEST video yet!
http://www.chicagonow.com/pop-buzz/2...ears-criminal/
Shannon Vestal, Buzz Sugar
The videos from Britney Spears's Femme Fatale album have been an entertaining bunch, and the latest, for "Criminal," may be the most entertaining. Britney gets to flex her acting muscle in the short film-style music video, with an intro that features the singer at a posh London party, fighting with a slappy British boyfriend, until a hot stranger (her real-life boyfriend Jason Trawick) comes to her rescue. They take off to the flute-laden tune of "Criminal," and that appears to be exactly what Britney's new squeeze is. They become a Bonnie and Clyde-esque pair, robbing stores and being chased by police. But they have lots of sexy downtime — their gun-toting shenanigans are interspersed with lots of nude, arty love scenes (in the shower, up against the wall . . . you get the point).
http://www.buzzsugar.com/Britney-Spe...Video-20059739
