Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator, reports that 22% of 32 surveyed critics gave the film a positive review; the average rating was 4.3/10. The site's consensus states: "Loud, incoherent, and aimless, "Money Train" reunites Snipes and Harrelson -- and proves that starring duos are far from immune to the law of diminishing returns." Brian Lowry of "Variety" wrote that it "bounces along with a lame script and inconsistent pace". Stephen Holden of "The New York Times" wrote, "More viscerally charged than "Speed" and hipper than "Die Hard With a Vengeance", the movie is a careening, screeching joyride that showers sparks like fireworks." Mick LaSalle of the "San Francisco Examiner" called it "a cut above the usual" buddy cop film due to the stars' chemistry and its well-crafted action scenes. Kenneth Turan of the "Los Angeles Times" described it as "a by-the-numbers action-buddy picture" that is "an acceptable if undemanding venture". Ken Tucker of "Entertainment Weekly" rated it D+ and called it "a big, noisy headache of a movie." Hal Hinson of "The Washington Post" called it a feeble and clichéd buddy film.