Metacritic reviews

Imagine Garrison Keillor narrating a series of Norman Rockwell paintings and you’ll have a very good idea of what My Summer Story is all about. Nostalgic and gently humorous, this sequel to 1983’s A Christmas Story continues the adventures of Ralph Parker in the prepubescent universe of bullies, parents, best friends, and no girls.

Recapturing magic proves elusive -- or maybe the late Darren McGavin was just irreplaceable -- in an OK follow-up to 1983's beloved A Christmas Story. [11 Aug 2006, p.15D]

The sequel retains only vestiges of the charm and bizarre humor which made the original a surprise cult favorite.

Unfortunately, everyone's trying too hard to recapture the original's wry tone, and Culkin lacks the gawky, impish charm that Billingsley brought to Shepherd's childhood alter ego. [06 Jul 1995, p.E1]

Derived from the folksy, avuncular works of Jean Shepherd, it's a movie in search of a story, characters and a reason to exist. In this quest, it goes 0 for 3. It's like watching Jell-O harden, then melt, only not quite so much fun. [23 Sep 1994]