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The Simpsons Movie arrives as an animated adventure directed by David Silverman, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Dan Castellaneta and Julie Kavner give The Simpsons Movie a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Simpsons Movie comes into focus without a long explanation: After Homer pollutes the town's water supply, Springfield is encased in a gigantic dome by the EPA and the Simpsons are declared fugi

Ratatouille arrives as an animated adventure directed by Brad Bird, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Brad Garrett and Lou Romano give Ratatouille a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Ratatouille comes into focus without a long explanation: A rat who can cook makes an unusual alliance with a young kitchen worker at a famous Paris restaurant. Across its 1h 51m running time, Brad Bird keeps Ratatouille con

Alvin and the Chipmunks arrives as a comedy directed by Tim Hill, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jason Lee and Ross Bagdasarian Jr. give Alvin and the Chipmunks a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Alvin and the Chipmunks comes into focus without a long explanation: Three musical chipmunks are discovered by an aspiring songwriter who wants to use their amazing singing abilities to become famous. Acros

National Treasure: Book of Secrets arrives as an action film directed by Jon Turteltaub, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Nicolas Cage and Diane Kruger give National Treasure: Book of Secrets a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in National Treasure: Book of Secrets comes into focus without a long explanation: Benjamin Gates must follow a clue left in John Wilkes Booth's diary to prove his ancestor's innoc

The Bourne Ultimatum arrives as an action film directed by Paul Greengrass, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Matt Damon and Edgar Ramírez give The Bourne Ultimatum a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Bourne Ultimatum comes into focus without a long explanation: Jason Bourne dodges a ruthless C.I.A. official and his Agents from a new assassination program while searching for the origins of his life

I Am Legend arrives as a horror film directed by Francis Lawrence, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Will Smith and Alice Braga give I Am Legend a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in I Am Legend comes into focus without a long explanation: Years after a plague kills most of humanity and transforms the rest into monsters, the sole survivor in New York City struggles valiantly to find a cure. Across its 1h

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix arrives as an action film directed by David Yates, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson give Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix comes into focus without a long explanation: With their warning about Lord Voldemort's return scoffed at, Harry and Dumbl

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End 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: At World's End a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End comes into focus without a long explanation: Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, Hector Barbossa, and the crew of the Black Pearl

Transformers arrives as an action film directed by Michael Bay, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox give Transformers a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Transformers comes into focus without a long explanation: An ancient struggle between two Cybertronian races, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, comes to Earth, with a clue to the ultimate power held by a teenager. A

Shrek the Third arrives as an animated adventure directed by Chris Miller, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz give Shrek the Third a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Shrek the Third comes into focus without a long explanation: Reluctantly designated as the heir to the land of Far, Far Away, Shrek hatches a plan to install the rebellious Artie as the new king while Princess Fi

Spider Man 3 arrives as an action film directed by Sam Raimi, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst give Spider Man 3 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Spider Man 3 comes into focus without a long explanation: A strange black entity from another world bonds with Peter Parker and causes inner turmoil as he contends with new villains, temptations, and revenge. Across its 2h 1