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Dumbo arrives as a fantasy directed by Tim Burton, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Colin Farrell and Michael Keaton give Dumbo a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Dumbo comes into focus without a long explanation: A young elephant, whose oversized ears enable him to fly, helps save a struggling circus, but when the circus plans a new venture, Dumbo and his friends discover dark secrets beneath its shi

Ford v Ferrari arrives as an action film directed by James Mangold, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Matt Damon and Christian Bale give Ford v Ferrari a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Ford v Ferrari comes into focus without a long explanation: American car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference and the laws of physics to build a revolutionary race car for Ford in

Shazam! arrives as a comedy directed by David F. Sandberg, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Zachary Levi and Mark Strong give Shazam! a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Shazam! comes into focus without a long explanation: A newly fostered young boy in search of his mother instead finds unexpected super powers and soon gains a powerful enemy. Across its 2h 12m running time, David F. Sandberg keeps Shaz

Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood arrives as a comedy directed by Quentin Tarantino, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt give Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood comes into focus without a long explanation: As Hollywood's Golden Age is winding down during the summer of 1969, television actor Rick Dalton and hi

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu arrives as a comedy directed by Rob Letterman, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ryan Reynolds and Justice Smith give Pokémon: Detective Pikachu a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Pokémon: Detective Pikachu comes into focus without a long explanation: In a world where people collect Pokémon to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent talking Pikachu who seeks to be a dete

The Secret Life of Pets 2 arrives as an animated adventure directed by Chris Renaud, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Patton Oswalt and Kevin Hart give The Secret Life of Pets 2 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Secret Life of Pets 2 comes into focus without a long explanation: Continuing the story of Max and his pet friends, following their secret lives after their owners leave them for work or

1917 arrives as an action film directed by Sam Mendes, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Dean Charles Chapman and George MacKay give 1917 a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in 1917 comes into focus without a long explanation: April 6th, 1917. Across its 1h 59m running time, Sam Mendes keeps 1917 assured without becoming rigid. ⁠ What keeps 1917 emotionally readable is Dean Charles Chapman, whose choices e

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World arrives as an animated adventure directed by Dean DeBlois, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jay Baruchel and America Ferrera give How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World comes into focus without a long explanation: When Hiccup discovers Toothless isn't the only Night Fury, he mus

Knives Out arrives as a comedy directed by Rian Johnson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Daniel Craig and Chris Evans give Knives Out a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Knives Out comes into focus without a long explanation: When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously enliste

John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum arrives as an action film directed by Chad Stahelski, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Keanu Reeves and Halle Berry give John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum comes into focus without a long explanation: John Wick is on the run after killing a member of the international assassins' guild, and with a $14 millio

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw arrives as a comedy directed by David Leitch, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham give Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw comes into focus without a long explanation: Lawman Luke Hobbs and outcast Deckard Shaw form an unlikely alliance when a cyber genetically

Us arrives as a horror film directed by Jordan Peele, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke give Us a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Us comes into focus without a long explanation: In order to get away from their busy lives, the Wilson family takes a vacation to Santa Cruz, California. Across its 1h 56m running time, Jordan Peele keeps Us clear enough to keep the emotional