... it wreaks of self-important pseudo-commentary that is more hollow and garishly humorous than it cares to admit.

While The Big Short is hardly uplifting, it still manages to tell a rambunctiously funny tale that's as informative as it is entertaining, humor walking hand-in-hand with tragedy to ultimately craft a comedy that's impossible to dismiss.

Adam McKay's The Big Short plays like an elaborate con, albeit one that uses its powers for good.

Adam McKay's star-filled 'The Big Short' tackles a huge subject, the 2008 financial meltdown, with surprising wit and clarity.