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Thor: The Dark World arrives as an action film directed by Alan Taylor, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman give Thor: The Dark World a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Thor: The Dark World comes into focus without a long explanation: When the Dark Elves attempt to plunge the universe into darkness, Thor must embark on a perilous and personal journey that will reunite

Star Trek Into Darkness arrives as an action film directed by J.J. Abrams, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto give Star Trek Into Darkness a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Star Trek Into Darkness comes into focus without a long explanation: After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt

Oz the Great and Powerful arrives as a fantasy directed by Sam Raimi, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. James Franco and Michelle Williams give Oz the Great and Powerful a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Oz the Great and Powerful comes into focus without a long explanation: A small time magician is swept away to an enchanted land and is forced into a power struggle among three witches. Across its 2h 1

Fast & Furious 6 arrives as an action film directed by Justin Lin, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Vin Diesel and Paul Walker give Fast & Furious 6 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Fast & Furious 6 comes into focus without a long explanation: Hobbs has Dominic and Brian reassemble their crew to take down a team of mercenaries, but Dominic unexpectedly gets sidetracked with facing his presumed decea

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug arrives as a fantasy directed by Peter Jackson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ian McKellen and Martin Freeman give The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug comes into focus without a long explanation: The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim the Lo

Monsters University arrives as an animated adventure directed by Dan Scanlon, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Billy Crystal and John Goodman give Monsters University a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Monsters University comes into focus without a long explanation: A look at the relationship between Mike Wazowski and James P. Across its 1h 44m running time, Dan Scanlon keeps Monsters University caref

Gravity arrives as a thriller directed by Alfonso Cuarón, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Sandra Bullock and George Clooney give Gravity a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Gravity comes into focus without a long explanation: Dr Ryan Stone, an engineer on her first space mission, and Matt Kowalski, an astronaut on his final expedition, have to survive in space after they are hit by debris while spacew

Man of Steel arrives as an action film directed by Zack Snyder, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Henry Cavill and Amy Adams give Man of Steel a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Man of Steel comes into focus without a long explanation: An alien child is evacuated from his dying world and sent to Earth to live among humans. Across its 2h 23m running time, Zack Snyder keeps Man of Steel dependable even w

Despicable Me 2 arrives as an animated adventure directed by Pierre Coffin, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig give Despicable Me 2 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Despicable Me 2 comes into focus without a long explanation: When a new criminal comes to town, the Anti Villain League decides to hire Gru in order to fight him off. Across its 1h 38m running time, Pierre Cof

Frozen arrives as an animated adventure directed by Chris Buck, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel give Frozen a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Frozen comes into focus without a long explanation: Fearless optimist Anna teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven in an epic journey to find Anna's sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kin

Iron Man 3 arrives as an action film directed by Shane Black, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Robert Downey Jr. and Guy Pearce give Iron Man 3 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Iron Man 3 comes into focus without a long explanation: When Tony Stark's world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution. Across its 2h 10m running time,

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire arrives as an action film directed by Francis Lawrence, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson give The Hunger Games: Catching Fire a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire comes into focus without a long explanation: Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th