Film critic Rex Reed takes heat for calling Melissa McCarthy a 'hippo' Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy attend the world premiere of "Identity Thief" at the Mann Village Westwood, Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP Images) AP2013 Film critic Rex Reed is facing the wrath of people taking issue with his recent comments about actress Melissa McCarthy, who the reviewer called "tractor-sized" and a "female hippo." According to the Hollywood Reporter, Reed, who writes film criticism for the New York Observer, shredded McCarthy four times in three paragraphs in a review of her latest comedy, "Identity Thief." In addition to the "tractor" and "hippo" comments, Reed refers to McCarthy's career as a study in "being obese and obnoxious with equal success." Paul Feig, who directed McCarthy in her Oscar-nominated role in "Bridesmaids," tweeted, "For his catty and school bully name-calling of the supremely talented Melissa McCarthy, I cordially invite Mr. Rex Reed to go f--- himself." Click for more from the Hollywood Reporter Click to read Reed's review