Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

81st Oscars – The Academy Awards

Play trailer Poster for 81st Oscars – The Academy Awards 2009 Special Interest Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
52% Tomatometer 27 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Honors for achievements in film.
The Academy Awards — 81st Oscars

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Hugh Jackman brings his trademark showman flair to an 81st Oscars that goes to great lengths to liven up the formula, but much of the telecast's innovations only serve to highlight how easily the ceremony can teeter into cumbersome spectacle.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (27) Critics Reviews
David Thomson Guardian Hugh Jackman carried off the very tricky role of host with old-fashioned style and cool aplomb -- I suspect he has the job for the next few years, especially if he can bring the same air of amateur musical show to further proceedings. Nov 15, 2019 Full Review Jocelyn Noveck Associated Press This year's Oscar telecast was striking for its many feel-good themes and moments -- and perhaps exactly what we needed from a recession-era awards show. Nov 15, 2019 Full Review Lisa Kennedy Denver Post Hosted by Hugh Jackman, the 81st Academy Awards achieved a smartly calibrated mix of past and present. It was a starry, starry night that took seriously the work of movie-making. Nov 15, 2019 Full Review Nikki Finke L.A. Weekly I felt humiliated for Hugh Jackman, who had to perform one crapfest song-and-dance number after another. Nov 15, 2019 Full Review David Zurawik Baltimore Sun The opening number, a spoof of the films nominated as best picture, was fun. But it was almost all downhill from there. Nov 15, 2019 Full Review Michael Sragow Baltimore Sun It was like a concept musical with a flaccid concept, saved only by a few game performers and emotion-packed awards badly in need of a Parisian riot or an exploding chandelier. Nov 15, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1) audience reviews
j d Jackman saved it, what a consummate professional and performer Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Academy Awards — 81st Oscars

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All Cast and Crew

Hugh Jackman

Host

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Feb 22, 2009 81st Oscars Details

More Like This

View All Popular TV on Streaming
Emmys 54% % Emmys Watchlist Golden Globes 51% % Golden Globes Watchlist The GRAMMYs % % The GRAMMYs Watchlist Tony Awards 74% % Tony Awards Watchlist Emergency Call % % Emergency Call Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All The Academy Awards — 81st Oscars photos

The Academy Awards — 81st Oscars

View more photos

Season Info

Network
ABC
Genre
Special Interest
Release Date
Feb 22, 2009