"The Motorcycle Diaries" was released to very positive reviews by critics, and received a standing ovation at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. "The New York Times" film critic, A.O. Scott, wrote that "in Mr Salles's hands what might have been a schematic story of political awakening becomes a lyrical exploration of the sensations and perceptions from which a political understanding of the world emerges." Gregory Weinkauf of the "Dallas Observer" espoused that the film "delivers as both biography and road movie, and proves itself a deceptively humble epic, an illuminating part of the Che legacy." Claudia Puig of "USA Today" postulated that "the movie achieves an impressive blend of emotional resonance and light entertainment" while describing it as "more coming-of-age story than biopic" and "a transformative adventure well worth watching." Keri Petersen of "The Gainesville Sun" referred to the film as "a gorgeous, poetic adventure."