David Denby of "New York" wrote that the film was a "deranged fable of the New West" which turned "sarcasm into a rude yet affectionate mode of comedy". Richard Corliss of "Time" referred to the film as "exuberantly original". Rita Kempley of "The Washington Post" gave a positive review, stating that it was "the best kidnapping comedy since last summer's "Ruthless People"". On the film review television show "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies", critic Gene Siskel said the film was as "good looking as it is funny" and that "despite some slow patches" he recommended the film, giving it a "thumbs up". Writing for "The New Yorker", Pauline Kael wrote that ""Raising Arizona" is no big deal, but it has a rambunctious charm".