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Tropic Thunder arrives as a comedy directed by Ben Stiller, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ben Stiller and Jack Black give Tropic Thunder a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Tropic Thunder comes into focus without a long explanation: Through a series of freak occurrences, a group of actors shooting a big budget war movie are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying. Across its 1h 47m running

Bolt arrives as an animated adventure directed by Byron Howard, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. John Travolta and Miley Cyrus give Bolt a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Bolt comes into focus without a long explanation: The canine star of a fictional sci fi/action show that believes his powers are real embarks on a cross country trek to save his co star from a threat he believes is just as real. Acr

Four Christmases arrives as a comedy directed by Seth Gordon, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn give Four Christmases a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Four Christmases comes into focus without a long explanation: A couple struggles to visit all four of their divorced parents on Christmas. Across its 1h 28m running time, Seth Gordon keeps Four Christmases uncertain a

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button arrives as a romance directed by David Fincher, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett give The Curious Case of Benjamin Button a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button comes into focus without a long explanation: Benjamin Button, born in 1918 with the physical state of an elderly man, ages in reverse. Across its

Get Smart arrives as a comedy directed by Peter Segal, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway give Get Smart a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Get Smart comes into focus without a long explanation: Maxwell Smart, a highly intellectual but bumbling spy working for the CONTROL agency, is tasked with preventing a terrorist attack from rival spy agency KAOS. Across its 1h 50m run

Wanted arrives as an action film directed by Timur Bekmambetov, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy give Wanted a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Wanted comes into focus without a long explanation: A frustrated office worker discovers that he is the son of a professional assassin, and that he shares his father's superhuman killing abilities. Across its 1h 50m running time

The Incredible Hulk arrives as an action film directed by Louis Leterrier, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Edward Norton and Liv Tyler give The Incredible Hulk a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Incredible Hulk comes into focus without a long explanation: Bruce Banner, a scientist on the run from the U.S. Government, must find a cure for the monster he turns into whenever he loses his temper. Acr

Slumdog Millionaire arrives as a crime drama directed by Danny Boyle, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Dev Patel and Freida Pinto give Slumdog Millionaire a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Slumdog Millionaire comes into focus without a long explanation: A teenager from the slums of Mumbai becomes a contestant on the show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati?' When interrogated under suspicion of cheating, he revis

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian arrives as an action film directed by Andrew Adamson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ben Barnes and Skandar Keynes give The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian comes into focus without a long explanation: The Pevensie siblings return to Narnia, where they are enlisted to once again h

Marley & Me arrives as a family film directed by David Frankel, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston give Marley & Me a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Marley & Me comes into focus without a long explanation: A family learns important life lessons from their adorable, but naughty and neurotic dog. Across its 1h 55m running time, David Frankel keeps Marley & Me alive in in

Mamma Mia! arrives as a comedy directed by Phyllida Lloyd, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan give Mamma Mia! a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Mamma Mia! comes into focus without a long explanation: Donna, an independent hotelier, is preparing for her daughter's wedding with the help of two old friends. Across its 1h 48m running time, Phyllida Lloyd keeps Mamma Mia! eng

Taken arrives as an action film directed by Pierre Morel, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Liam Neeson and Maggie Grace give Taken a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Taken comes into focus without a long explanation: A retired CIA agent travels across Europe and relies on his old skills to save his estranged daughter, who has been kidnapped while on a trip to Paris. Across its 1h 30m running time, Pie