Dsney's Polynesia Romp

Moana of Motunui (Aulii Cravalho) needs to capture the eccentric demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) and restore the heart of Te Fiti. For that she must step out of her comfort zone and face many dangers as she for the first time in decades ventures far beyond her reef. Moana is one of the better animated movies in a while, with the Polynesian pseudo-mythology adding a noveau dimension throughout

14/20

Slick, Poignant

Conspicuously African-American to a fault, with poorly placed beer product placements, and with a poignant send-off to the cornerstone Paul Walker, (Fast and) Furious 7 keeps the franchise alive and well through the level of SFX and make-believe that is only possible of Hollywood. A sliver of a storyline, that is totally overshadowed by science-defying stunts, the highlights of which appear to be driving off buildings and cliffs without terminal impacts to man or machine. This one holds it together – suspend all pretension to belief, and just enjoy

14/20

Demi-god by Design

Hercules finds a circumspect puffed up lead (Dwayne Johnson), who, along with his band of mercenaries, sides with the Thracians to defeat the warlord Rheseus (Tobias Santelmann). Things are not quite what they seem, however, and the warrior soon finds himself requiring to draw upon his remarkable strength as well as the many legends surrounding him, to rally armies in favor and bring to pass what is righteous and just. Nothing like the disaster earlier this year (The Legend of Hercules), Hercules is a treat to watch, with a reasonable balance of special effects and the human element, and a few no-holds barred treats in raw physicality to boot

13/20

Race It

Wanted fugitives Dominic (Vin Diesel) and Brian (Paul Walker) get a new lease of life as they are asked by Agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) to take out a criminal organization led by Owen (Luke Evans) in exchange for clearing their criminal records. Its time for showdown in (mainly) London – with fast cars and a bevy of beauties – including Mia (Jordana Brwester), an estranged Letty (Michelle Rodriguez – permanent female Hispanic lead action fixture), Gisele (Gal Gadot) and the turncoat Riley (Gina Carano). Spellbinding (though logically and scientifically inexplicable) action sequences and engaging car chase scenes – watched this one in a paid preview – yes, was on fast forward, much like everything else in Fast & Furious 6. Not to forget, the movie ends with a cameo by Jason Statham (no less) in Tokyo – the promise of much more to come

13.5/20

GI makeover

The all-American franchise quickly dumps Duke (Channing Tatum) in the wild wastes of Pakistan, and the Rock takes over from there. In their biggest challenge yet, surviving Joes Roadblock (Dwayne Johnson), Flint (DJ Cotrona) and Lady Jaye (Adrianne Palicki) team up with Snake Eyes (Ray Park), Jinx (Elodie Yung) and unexpectedly Storm Shadow (Byung-hun Lee), to take out the threat of Cobra Commander (Luke Bracey) and an impostor US President (Jonathan Pryce), bent on doling out annihilation – nuclear or otherwise. The Nuclear Summit involving all key heads of state becomes the battleground for the final showdown between good and evil, with much noise and fanfare and pump-up music. Oh, and an honorable mention to General Joseph Colton (Bruce Willis), apparently the founding father of the Joes. Watch GI Joe: Retaliation for nothing in particular besides well-executed action sequences

12/20

Journey, Too

Vernians – fans of Jules Verne who believe in the Nautilius, the Mysterious Island, Atlantis and the like – have been squarely relegated to the children’s section of the action-adventure genre. Hank (Dwayne Johnson) and stepson Sean (Josh Hutcherson) share a terse relationship – and finally manage to find a connect by finding references to a mysterious island that links the works of no less than RL Stevenson, Jonathan Swift, and (of course) Jules Verne. With a hop step and jump to Pulau, with the blessings of mom Liz (Kristn Davis) of course, the duo find help in helicopter operator Gabato (Luis Guzman) and his delectable daughter Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens). Journey 2 – The Mysterious Island - turns out to be a source of much death-defying adventure – all of it incredulous, and, after a point, none of it interesting. By the time the lot gets off the island, one may be faulted for thinking its not a moment too soon

10/20