Critic Calls Melissa McCarthy ‘Hippo’ And ‘Tractor-Sized’ In Scathing Review

Critic Rex Reed slammed Melissa McCarthy in a recent review, calling the actress a “hippo” and “tractor-sized.”

In a review of McCarthy’s newest big screen flick, Identity Thief, the New York Observer’s film critic included several personal digs at the actress and her weight. His venomous critique also referred to the Oscar-nominated actress as “cacophonous” and her character in the film as a “screeching, humongous creep.”

In the review, Rex Reed summed up his hateful feelings toward the actress and her career by writing:

“Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) is a gimmick comedian who has devoted her short career to being obese and obnoxious with equal success.”

Identity Thief, a comedy opening in theaters today, stars McCarthy alongside Jason Bateman. The film follows the story of a man tracking down the woman responsible for stealing his identity.

An article by US Weekly writes that while Reed dismisses McCarthy as a gimmick, the actress continues to gain popularity with viewers. She is the Emmy-winning star of the CBS comedy Mike & Molly, and her role in 2011’s Bridesmaids earned her an Academy Award nomination.

Melissa McCarthy has spoken publicly on the topic of her weight during interviews. The actress talked about her lifestyle habits in the November 2011 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine.

“I don’t really know why I’m not thinner than I am. I don’t really drink soda, I don’t have a sweet tooth, and we eat healthfully at home. Sometimes I wish I were just magically a size 6 and I never had to give it a single thought. But I am weirdly healthy, so I don’t beat myself up about it — it wouldn’t help, and I don’t want to pass that on to my girls.”

According to NBC News, Reed’s review is drawing criticism of its own. Outraged readers have flooded the New York Observer’s website to voice their disgust at the personal nature of the well-known critic’s verbal attack.

Appearing in countless print publications over several decades, Rex Reed often delivers his critiques with a sharp tongue. Actor Seth Rogan was the recipient of a snarling comment in Reed’s January review of The Guilt Trip:

“Mr. Rogen, who looks like Limburger cheese, has carved an inexplicable career out of playing dorks who make the word ‘retarded’ politically acceptable again.”

Do you think film critic Rex Reed crossed a professional line by calling Melissa McCarthy a “hippo” in his review?