Alien: Covenant ***
Covenant does inject new blood and purpose into the Alien series with the focus on character rather than effect. It’s still just a nail biting.
Category: Action
Fast and Furious 8 ****
Bigger, dafter ballsier fun with egos the size of tanks on the loose. This latest film just adds more fuel to the saga’s tank and keeps it running. Paul, you’d be proud.
Smurfs: The Lost Village ****
There’s a nostalgic animated innocence to the whole affair that helps the Smurf personalities shine through – something the very busy, effects-heavy 2013 film lost.
John Wick: Chapter 2 ****
Another triumph for Reeves. Chapter 2 is every bit as satisfying and thrilling. Wick has to come back again for a hat-trick, if only to finish the job – a happy thought indeed.
The Lego Batman Movie ****
A marvel of an animation with a good pounding heart – you’ll all be quoting Batman in Arnett’s gruff tones for days to come.
Monster Trucks (3D) ***
Nothing profound – in fact, as to alerting young minds to environmental issues go, all-time classic WALL.E beats hands down. However, Monster Trucks does things in an immensely fun and loud fashion and in a way that kids will instantly connect to.
Passengers ***
Some great ideas to ponder over and a good-looking cast. However, it needed to get its facts a little straighter and pay more attention to its plot scenarios to truly propel it into the big league of sci-fi memorabilia.
Moana (3D) ****
A blaze of colour and a cool refreshing summer breeze on a chilly December day. Moana is a role model any parent would actively encourage their offspring to have.
Bad Santa 2 *
Bad Santa 2 is bad, and for all the wrong reasons. It’s definitely the biggest box office turkey this festive season, sadly, a shame as Thornton is very much still Willie in spirit.