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A Beautiful Mind arrives as a mystery directed by Ron Howard, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Russell Crowe and Ed Harris give A Beautiful Mind a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in A Beautiful Mind comes into focus without a long explanation: A mathematical genius, John Nash made an astonishing discovery early in his career and stood on the brink of international acclaim. Across its 2h 15m running time

Planet of the Apes arrives as an action film directed by Tim Burton, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Mark Wahlberg and Helena Bonham Carter give Planet of the Apes a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Planet of the Apes comes into focus without a long explanation: In 2029, an Air Force astronaut crash lands on a mysterious planet where evolved, talking apes dominate a race of primitive humans. Across i

Jurassic Park III arrives as an action film directed by Joe Johnston, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sam Neill and William H. Macy give Jurassic Park III a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Jurassic Park III comes into focus without a long explanation: A decidedly odd couple with ulterior motives convince Dr Grant to go to Isla Sorna for a holiday, but their unexpected landing startles the island's n

Ocean's Eleven arrives as a thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. George Clooney and Brad Pitt give Ocean's Eleven a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Ocean's Eleven comes into focus without a long explanation: Danny Ocean, a gangster, rounds up a gang of associates to stage a sophisticated and elaborate casino heist which involves robbing three Las Vegas casinos simu

Pearl Harbor arrives as an action film directed by Michael Bay, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ben Affleck and Kate Beckinsale give Pearl Harbor a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Pearl Harbor comes into focus without a long explanation: A tale of war and romance mixed in with history. Across its 3h 3m running time, Michael Bay keeps Pearl Harbor capable of strong moments without finding a complete

The Mummy Returns arrives as an action film directed by Stephen Sommers, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz give The Mummy Returns a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Mummy Returns comes into focus without a long explanation: The mummified body of Imhotep is shipped to a museum in London, where he once again wakes and begins his campaign of rage and terror. Across its

Rush Hour 2 arrives as a comedy directed by Brett Ratner, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker give Rush Hour 2 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Rush Hour 2 comes into focus without a long explanation: Carter and Lee head to Hong Kong for a vacation, but become embroiled in a counterfeit money scam. Across its 1h 30m running time, Brett Ratner keeps Rush Hour 2 engaging in b

Shrek arrives as an animated adventure directed by Andrew Adamson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy give Shrek a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Shrek comes into focus without a long explanation: A mean lord exiles fairytale creatures to the swamp of a grumpy ogre, who must go on a quest and rescue a princess for the lord in order to get his land back. Across its 1h 30m ru

Monsters, Inc. arrives as an animated adventure directed by Pete Docter, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Billy Crystal and John Goodman give Monsters, Inc. a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Monsters, Inc. comes into focus without a long explanation: In order to power the city, monsters have to scare children so that they scream. Across its 1h 32m running time, Pete Docter keeps Monsters, Inc. confid

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone arrives as a fantasy directed by Chris Columbus, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint give Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone comes into focus without a long explanation: An orphaned boy enrolls in a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself,

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring arrives as an action film directed by Peter Jackson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen give The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring comes into focus without a long explanation: A meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set