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Over the Hedge
Over the Hedge arrives as an animated adventure directed by Tim Johnson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Bruce Willis and Garry Shandling give Over the Hedge a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Over the Hedge comes into focus without a long explanation: A scheming raccoon fools a mismatched family of forest creatures into helping him repay a debt of food, by invading the new suburban sprawl that poppe
Aug 153 min read
The Pursuit of Happyness
The Pursuit of Happyness arrives as a biographical drama directed by Gabriele Muccino, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Will Smith and Thandiwe Newton give The Pursuit of Happyness a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Pursuit of Happyness comes into focus without a long explanation: A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life changing professional career. Across its
Aug 153 min read
Casino Royale
Casino Royale arrives as an action film directed by Martin Campbell, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Daniel Craig and Eva Green give Casino Royale a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Casino Royale comes into focus without a long explanation: After earning a licence to kill, secret agent James Bond sets out on his first mission as 007. Across its 2h 24m running time, Martin Campbell keeps Casino Royale
Aug 153 min read
Ice Age: The Meltdown
Ice Age: The Meltdown arrives as an animated adventure directed by Carlos Saldanha, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ray Romano and John Leguizamo give Ice Age: The Meltdown a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Ice Age: The Meltdown comes into focus without a long explanation: Manny, Sid and Diego discover that the ice age is coming to an end, and join everybody for a journey to higher ground. Across it
Aug 153 min read
Happy Feet
Happy Feet arrives as an animated adventure directed by George Miller, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Elijah Wood and Brittany Murphy give Happy Feet a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Happy Feet comes into focus without a long explanation: Into the world of the Emperor Penguins, who find their soul mates through song, a penguin is born who cannot sing. Across its 1h 48m running time, George Miller
Aug 152 min read
Superman Returns
Superman Returns arrives as an action film directed by Bryan Singer, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Brandon Routh and Kevin Spacey give Superman Returns a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Superman Returns comes into focus without a long explanation: Superman returns to Earth after spending five years in space examining his homeworld Krypton. Across its 2h 34m running time, Bryan Singer keeps Superma
Aug 153 min read
300
300 arrives as an action film directed by Zack Snyder, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Gerard Butler and Lena Headey give 300 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in 300 comes into focus without a long explanation: In the ancient battle of Thermopylae, King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fight against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. Across its 1h 57m running time, Zack Snyder keeps 300 clear enough to kee
Aug 152 min read
The Da Vinci Code
The Da Vinci Code arrives as a thriller directed by Ron Howard, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou give The Da Vinci Code a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Da Vinci Code comes into focus without a long explanation: A murder inside the Louvre, and clues in Da Vinci paintings, lead to the discovery of a religious mystery protected by a secret society for two thousand years
Aug 153 min read
X-Men: The Last Stand
X Men: The Last Stand arrives as an action film directed by Brett Ratner, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Patrick Stewart and Hugh Jackman give X Men: The Last Stand a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in X Men: The Last Stand comes into focus without a long explanation: The human government develops a cure for mutations, and Jean Grey becomes a darker uncontrollable persona called the Phoenix who allies
Aug 153 min read
Cars
Cars arrives as an animated adventure directed by John Lasseter, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Owen Wilson and Bonnie Hunt give Cars a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Cars comes into focus without a long explanation: On the way to the biggest race of his life, a hotshot rookie race car gets stranded in a rundown town and learns that winning isn't everything in life. Across its 1h 56m running time,
Aug 153 min read
Night at the Museum
Night at the Museum arrives as a comedy directed by Shawn Levy, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ben Stiller and Carla Gugino give Night at the Museum a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Night at the Museum comes into focus without a long explanation: A newly recruited night security guard at the Museum of Natural History discovers that an ancient curse causes the animals and exhibits on display to com
Aug 153 min read
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest arrives as an action film directed by Gore Verbinski, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom give Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest comes into focus without a long explanation: Jack Sparrow races to recover the heart of Davy Jones to avoid enslaving
Aug 153 min read
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