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WALL-E

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WALL-E

An iron fist in a velvet glove, this Pixar-animated picture imparts a strong message through the unlikely carrier of cartoon images. Seven-hundred years into the future, the Earth is a deserted garbage heap, and one lonely robot, WALL-E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) -- a trash compactor, goes about the business of making cubes from the garbage humans have left behind. Meanwhile, humans have been forced to live on a galactic space ship waiting for the Earth to be habitable again. Into WALL-E's life comes EVE, Extra-terrestrial Vegetation Evaluator, his soul mate, who is searching for vegetation on the seemingly lifeless planet. WALL-E has the only existing plant in his trailer. He is smitten and follows EVE into space, beginning an odyssey of grand proportions. A powerful message is delivered in a symphony of romance, dazzling color and magnificently creative illustration. The film delivers humour and story, which piqued the interest of both young and old while recording an excellent 88 per cent Audience Approval. Moviegoers said: "The first half is better" (many) . . . "I liked last year's 'Ratatouille' better. It's funny, though" . . . "Visually, it's just stunning, creative beyond words" . . . "Amazingly good" . . ."Too political" . . . and "Charming, sweet and funny. It doesn't get any better than that."

WANTED

A mindless, straight-on action adventure finds Wesley (James McAvoy) -- a milquetoast office worker -- swooped from his tedium by assassin Fox (Angelina Jolie) and her somber boss, Sloan (Morgan Freeman). Wesley is ushered into the "Fraternity," a private association of killers, and learns that his genetic makeup consists of a high aptitude for sociopathic behaviour and the uncanny ability to bend bullets around corners. The computer-generated CG bullet-dodging and train flying offers precisely what you'd expect. However, within the uncluttered action barrage, something of significance must be lingering as "Wanted" scored a must-see 85 percent Audience Approval and with very few low ratings. If bloody mayhem is your cup of tea, this is right up your alley. Viewers said: "Great way to watch people being annihilated" . . . "The action was nonstop and the death count way up there" (many) . . . "I didn't think I was going to like it because it's obviously all action, but it was the kind of mindless action that was fun" . . . and "Weird, but I don't think you can help but enjoy it."

GET SMART

Not quite up to the must-see ratings he scored in "The 40 Year Old Virgin (86 percent) and "Evan Almighty" (85 per cent), Steve Carell still records another recommendable comedy as he reprises secret agent Maxwell Smart of the '60s TV series, "Get Smart" (78 per cent Audience Approval). All three of these films are in the same comedy ballpark. Evil terrorist leader from KAOS (Terence Stamp) threatens world domination, while obtuse-reasoning Smart teamed with Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway) and Agent 23 (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) do the day-saving labours. An unaware Smart fumbles with faulty spy gadgets and stumbles through action-packed comedy scenes with magnificent oblivion. The Chief (Alan Arkin) has promoted Smart against his better judgment, but Carell still succeeds in staggering all observers with uncanny aplomb. There are tributes reminiscent to the old series, and yet the new Smart's authentic absurdity is an entity unto itself -- a rewarding one at that. Funny and fulfilling, "Get Smart" earned audience approval. Audiences said: "Very funny, I was laughing throughout" (many) . . . "Hilarious, better than I expected" . . . "Best comedy of the summer" . . . "Steve Carell is a genius. He is so different and yet so funny" . . . and "Had all of the humour of the TV series and it also had the action of a big James Bond movie; it was really good."

THE LOVE GURU

The film's lowly 47 per cent Audience Approval and acidic comments are exactly the same as they were for the Austin Powers series. Maybe time and repeated viewing will make them less so. Time makes all wounds funny, even iconic, perhaps? The statistics find that very few moviegoers rated "Guru" poorly, but too many awarded it mediocre ratings. I'd say those who enjoy Myers' puns, campy superficial dialogue, tastelessness and an occasional song-and-dance number will be marginally rewarded by this effort. American born Guru Pitka (Myers) was raised on an ashram, but the opportunist lying in his spiritual being draws him to the United States for fame and fortune as he spreads his self-help message. Pitka is recruited by Toronto Maple Leaf owner Jane Bullard (Jessica Alba) to council their star player (Romany Malco) for top performance in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Character names such as Guru Tugginmypuddah, Dick Pants and "Le Coq" (Ben Kingsley, John Oliver and Justin Timberlake) reveal the brand of humour being employed here. Vulgar double entendres litter the script to the joy or despair of viewers, depending on their comedic tastes. Overall, I suggest avoiding this group session. Viewers said: "Terrible" . . . "Funny" (many) . . . "Beyond zero" . . . "A lot dirtier than I thought it would be" . . . "Disappointing" . . . "Not funny at all, the guy is insane and tries to be humorous" . . . and "Something a bit far off."

THE INCREDIBLE HULK

On the heels of "Iron Man," Marvel Comics stomps back into theatres as the Hulk -- bigger, angrier and greener than ever. Edward Norton plays mild-mannered Bruce Banner, who after being blasted by gamma-rays, works in a Brazilian soda factory while searching for an antidote for his ferocious condition. Gen. Thaddeus Ross (William Hurt) wants Banner for the military aspects of his verdant posture.

Loud, destructive violence at its CGI best abounds as Hulk and his nemesis Abomination (Tim Roth) thrash across the screen for much of the remaining celluloid. The general's daughter, Betty Ross (Liv Tyler), runs interference for Banner. Louis Leterrier, ("The Transporter") directs the Hulk into an absolute must-see 90 per cent winner. Enthusiastic moviegoers commented: "Fantastic" . . . "I loved 'Iron Man' but this was even better." . . . "Predictable, but thrilling nevertheless" . . ."Edward Norton and Liv Tyler were great" . . . and "It managed to surprise me."

KUNG FU PANDA

KFP jumps to poll position in theatres, joining "Iron Man" as a bona-fide summer hit. Spherical Po (Jack Black) is the reluctant panda hero who takes a break from his father's noodle shop in the Valley of Peace to attend a martial arts competition. Having no real skills of his own, he is dumbfounded when he is selected by revered turtle -- Master Oogway (Randall Duk Kim) -- to be the next Dragon Warrior. His entitlements include reading the sacred Dragon Scrolls, an honor long denied to the imprisoned snow leopard Tai Lung (Ian McShane). Po's real heroes, the Fabulous Five, (Tigress, Angelina Jolie; Crane, David Cross; Mantis, Seth Rogen; Viper, Lucy Liu and Monkey, Jackie Chan) expected one of their own to be chosen. Tai Lung escapes, leaving Po little time to master the kung fu moves needed to win their inevitable showdown.

Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffmann) is the diminutive wolf and kung fu master who takes on the task of teaching a recalcitrant panda. Most viewers gave KFP four stars, a good script loaded with humour and a superb cast to voice this underdog tale.

This is definitely great entertainment for children and adults, providing moviegoers with a sure-fire 88 minutes of fun. Comments included: "I highly recommend it, I would watch it again" . . . "One of the best" . . . "Ideal because it's perfect for both kids and their parents" (many) . . . "It had a lot of ancient Chinese wisdoms" and "So cute, we love Po."

n The Big Screen, written by Bob Habes, appears in Life & Times each Friday