July Reviews: Movies

The Hunger Games
2012 // Lionsgate
ec Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The shaky camerawork helps obscure some of the violence, but younger audiences might be disturbed by some of the grisly images.

Based on Suzanne Collins’ instant classic, this dystopian tale finds teens Katniss and Peeta thrust into the spotlight of the fight-to-the-death title competition, where they must outlast other teen tributes. Masterfully cast and richly designed, the film is extremely faithful to the YA novel, down to the fast-paced, violent Games themselves. HG newbies might find the plot harder to follow, as the character development takes a backseat to the jam-packed plotlines. Rated PG-13 for intense thematic material and disturbing images—all involving teens.

Mirror Mirror
2012 // Relativity Media
ec Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Clean and goofy, this live action take on the Disney classic is really more of a kids’ film; older teens will likely be less amused.

In this take on the age-old Snow White fable, the cute protagonist finds herself fleeing the Evil Queen, who is pursuing the affection of the handsome Prince Alcott. Snow White crosses paths with a band of mischievous dwarves, who help her find the confidence to stand up to her fears. Julia Roberts is charmingly evil as the queen, and Nathan Lane brings vibrancy to his role; however, most of the other characters come up short. Rated PG for some fantasy action and mild rude humor.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
2012 // New Line Cinema
ec Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Journey 2 is fully aware of what it is: a fun, family-friendly action adventure. No more, no less.

In this sequel to 2008’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, Sean (Josh Hutcherson) ends up on another crazy adventure.  Sean and his stepfather (Dwayne Johnson) are joined by their helicopter pilot and his daughter as they set out to piece together mysterious clues and find Sean’s grandfather. Vanessa Hudgens and Luis Guzman costar.  Rated PG for some adventure action, and brief mild language.

Wrath of the Titans
2012 // Warner Bros. Pictures
ec Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
Reprising the role of Perseus, Sam Worthington is decent, but the dialogue is shallow and Wrath ups the ante with more graphic battle violence than 2010’s Clash of the Titans.

When the Greek gods Ares and Hades conspire to free Cronus, leader of the Titans, and imprison Zeus, Zeus’s son, Perseus once again finds himself in the middle of the battle between the Greeks gods and the Titans.  Alongside other iconic Greek legends, Perseus must help free his father and overcome the Titans. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of fantasy violence and action.