Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (12A)
Starring: Tom Cruise, Cobie Smulders, Aldis Hodge
The low down: Former military policeman Jack Reacher (Cruise) is working with an army Major (Smulders) on a new case. When he goes to meet her at his old headquarters, he finds she’s been arrested on espionage charges. After sussing out that something fishy is going on, Reacher becomes implicated in a plot involving various shadowy American agencies, and he’s got a limited amount of time to root out the true baddies, save his friend and clear his own name.
Who's it for? Anyone who likes their characters grizzled, their fight scenes crunchy, their dialogue minimal, and their bad guys banged to rights.
What the experts say:
"The crummy, cheap-looking Jack Reacher: Never Go Back may have been directed by Edward Zwick and inspired by a series of pulpy novels by Lee Child, but its inane plotting; randomly gratuitous violence; utter sexlessness; questionable grasp of grown-up behaviour and strict insistence on having characters constantly address the indestructible, leather-jacket–wearing hero as “Reacher” or “Major” (to which he very modestly replies, “ex-Major”) suggest that the true author might have been a 7- or 8-year-old boy. " A.V. Club, external
"Cruise can still be counted on to frequently sprint on-camera, but here he comes across as a shadow of the star we’ve known him to be." Variety, external
"This sequel lacks the crackling dialogue of its predecessor and anything beyond surface level entertainment and thrills." Forbes, external
Worth seeing? Maybe if you have one hour 58 minutes you really, really need to kill.
Trolls (U)
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Timberlake, James Corden, Gwen Stefani, John Cleese, Russell Brand
The low down: Remember those little troll toys with the shocks of brightly coloured hair? Well, they've finally got their very own movie, and from the guys behind everyone's favourite ogre, Shrek, no less. These little trolls are the happiest bunch around - always singing, dancing and causing inoffensive, immaculately choreographed mischief. It's a kind of woozy, technicolour utopia, but then a group of neighbouring Bergens (sullen, grey giants) discover they can get a bit of fleeting happiness for themselves... by eating trolls. So Troll Princess Poppy and the one level-headed Troll in the gang (played by Kendrick and Timberlake respectively) set out to rescue their encaged kin.
Who's it for? Children, definitely children.
What the experts say:
"The precision-tooled brilliance of this sort of animation is beginning to wear a little thin. Still, Trolls is a fun enough ride." Guardian, external
"There’s nothing to really dislike here; it’s too chirpy and enthusiastic for that. There’s just a disappointing lack of effort to do more than is expected of it.” NME, external
"Trolls is cheerier and more colourful than just about any animated film this year and it offers a couple of good laughs too. However, even if this is intended to kick-start a franchise, it never quite rises above its merchandising goals." Den of Geek, external
Worth seeing? The reviews are mid-to-fair with most reviewers saying it's a great option if you've got kids and want to keep them amused during half-term. If you don't, it's perhaps not the film for you.
Keeping up with the Joneses (12A)
Starring: Zach Galifianakis, Isla Fisher, Jon Hamm, Gal Gadot
The low-down: Jeff and Karen Gaffney (Galifianakis and Fisher) are the ultimate suburban couple. He loves his job in HR, she is excited about designing the new bathroom. So when a new couple, the Joneses, move to their idyllic cul-de-sac, they're intrigued by the exciting duo (Hamm and Gadot). But they soon become suspicious about them, are they really who they say they are?
Who's it for? Fans of 70s classic, Fun with Jane and Dick. And those who want to watch something simple and entertaining.
What the experts say:
"There are some chuckles — Gadot has a few good zingers poking fun at her ridiculous good looks (“Just because I don’t need to moisturise doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings”). Otherwise, though, the overwhelming feeling is that the film is plagued by the spectre that haunts so much modern American comedy: improvisation.” Empire, external
"The movie announces in every scene: 'It’s comedy! It’s action! It’s far-fetched middle-class fantasy! About outrageously typical people! Who get yanked outside of the System! Yet remain typical!' There’s something likably daft yet third-rate about a movie whose thrust is to liberate folks from their depressing everyday roles.” Variety, external
"One way to end the scourge of 'TV is better than film' articles is to stop making movies like “Keeping Up With the Joneses,” a pedestrian comedy that almost seems intended as evidence for the cause.” The New York Times, external
Worth seeing? It looks mildly amusing. If you're going on a date and want something inoffensive this could tick those boxes.
Want to know more? Read BBC Entertainment's interview with Gal Gadot
