This week on national release across the UK, we have: a robot boy, rugby players, a princess and a frog, a mercenary and a virgin:
"ASTRO BOY"Animated sci-fi adventure. When a scientist's young son dies, he secretly creates a powerful robot child to replace him, however the robot uses it's incredible powers to become a world famous super-hero, and faces his biggest challenge when an alien race threatens Earth.
Director: David Bowers
Voices: Freddie Highmore, Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell, Charlize Theron, Donald Sutherland, Samuel L. Jackson, Eugene Levy, Billy Nighy, Matt Lucas, Ryan Stiles & Nathan Lane.
Tomatometer: 48% (Rotten; based on 95 reviews) "While it isn't terribly original, and it seems to have a political agenda that may rankle some viewers, Astro Boy boasts enough visual thrills to please its target demographic."
"INVICTUS"True life sporting drama. Nelson Mandela, in his first term as the South African President, initiates a unique venture to unite the apartheid-torn land: enlist the national rugby team on a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Adjoa Andoh, Tony Kgoroge, Patrick Mofokeng & Julian Lewis Jones.
Tomatometer: 77% (Fresh; based on 209 reviews) "Delivered with typically stately precision from director Clint Eastwood, Invictus may not be rousing enough for some viewers, but Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman inhabit their real-life characters with admirable conviction."
"THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG"Animated adventure. A fairy tale set in Jazz Age-era New Orleans and centered on a young girl named Princess Tiana and her fateful kiss with a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again.
Directors: Ron Clements & John Musker
Voices: Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, Michael-Leon Wooley, Jennifer Cody & Jim Cummings.
Tomatometer: 85% (Fresh; based on 144 reviews) "The warmth of traditional Disney animation makes this occasionally lightweight fairy-tale update a lively and captivating confection for the holidays."
"SOLOMON KANE"Fantasy action-adventure. A mercenary who owes his soul to the devil redeems himself by fighting evil.
Director: Michael J. Bassett
Starring: James Purefoy, Pete Postlethwaite, Max Von Sydow, Mackenzie Crook & Rachel Hurd-Wood.
Tomatometer: 60% (Fresh; based on 5 reviews)
"YOUTH IN REVOLT"Rom-com. While his trailer trash parents teeter on the edge of divorce, Nick Twisp sets his sights on dream girl Sheeni Saunders, hoping that she'll be the one to take away his virginity.
Director: Miguel Arteta
Starring: Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Jean Smart, Zach Galigianakis, Ari Graynor, Ray Liotta, Justin Long & Steve Buscemi.
Tomatometer: 71% (Fresh; based on 136 reviews) "It may not entirely do its source material justice, but Miguel Arteta's Youth in Revolt is a fun, funny comic romp that lets Michael Cera stretch a little and introduces filmgoers to a major find in Portia Doubleday."
