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The Expendables 2 arrives as an action film directed by Simon West, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sylvester Stallone and Liam Hemsworth give The Expendables 2 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Expendables 2 comes into focus without a long explanation: Mr Church reunites the Expendables for what should be an easy paycheck, but when one of their men is murdered on the job, their quest for reveng

The Campaign arrives as a comedy directed by Jay Roach, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis give The Campaign a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Campaign comes into focus without a long explanation: An incumbent Representative embroiled in personal scandal faces a no holds barred challenge from a naive newcomer funded by two unscrupulous billionaire lobbyist brother

Think Like a Man arrives as a comedy directed by Tim Story, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Chris Brown and Gabrielle Union give Think Like a Man a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Think Like a Man comes into focus without a long explanation: Four friends conspire to turn the tables on their women when they discover the ladies have been using Steve Harvey's relationship advice against them. Across it

Flight arrives as a thriller directed by Robert Zemeckis, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Denzel Washington and Kelly Reilly give Flight a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Flight comes into focus without a long explanation: Troubling questions arise after airline pilot Whip Whitaker makes a miracle landing after a mid air catastrophe. Across its 2h 18m running time, Robert Zemeckis keeps Flight clear

Zero Dark Thirty arrives as a thriller directed by Kathryn Bigelow, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jessica Chastain and Joel Edgerton give Zero Dark Thirty a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Zero Dark Thirty comes into focus without a long explanation: A chronicle of the decade long hunt for al Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks, and his death at the hands of the

Rise of the Guardians arrives as an animated adventure directed by Peter Ramsey, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Hugh Jackman and Alec Baldwin give Rise of the Guardians a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Rise of the Guardians comes into focus without a long explanation: When the evil spirit Pitch launches an assault on Earth, the Immortal Guardians team up to protect the innocence of children all ar

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island arrives as a comedy directed by Brad Peyton, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Josh Hutcherson and Dwayne Johnson give Journey 2: The Mysterious Island a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island comes into focus without a long explanation: Sean Anderson partners with his mom's husband on a mission to find his grandfather, who is thought to be mi

The Bourne Legacy arrives as an action film directed by Tony Gilroy, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz give The Bourne Legacy a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Bourne Legacy comes into focus without a long explanation: An expansion of the universe from Robert Ludlum's novels, centered on a new hero whose stakes have been triggered by the events of the previous three

Magic Mike arrives as a comedy directed by Steven Soderbergh, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Channing Tatum and Alex Pettyfer give Magic Mike a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Magic Mike comes into focus without a long explanation: A male stripper teaches a younger performer how to party, pick up women, and make easy money. Across its 1h 50m running time, Steven Soderbergh keeps Magic Mike careful

Life of Pi arrives as a fantasy directed by Ang Lee, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Suraj Sharma and Irrfan Khan give Life of Pi a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Life of Pi comes into focus without a long explanation: A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. Across its 2h 7m running time, Ang Lee keeps Life of Pi confident enough to tru

The Vow arrives as a romance directed by Michael Sucsy, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum give The Vow a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Vow comes into focus without a long explanation: A car accident puts Paige in a coma, and when she wakes up with severe memory loss, her husband Leo works to win her heart again. Across its 1h 44m running time, Michael Sucsy keep

Safe House arrives as an action film directed by Daniel Espinosa, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds give Safe House a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Safe House comes into focus without a long explanation: A young CIA agent is tasked with looking after a fugitive in a safe house. Across its 1h 55m running time, Daniel Espinosa keeps Safe House capable of strong mome