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Hellboy (Ron Perlman), his fiery girlfriend, Liz Sherman (Selma Blair) and amphibian-pal, Abe Sapien (Doug Jones), are all that stand in the way of mankind's destruction at the hands of Prince Nuada (Luke Gross) and his magical army of trolls, monsters and fairies. If you've seen Guillermo del Toro's Oscar-nominated "Pan's Labyrinth," you're familiar with the kind of inventive world you'll be entering. In "Hellboy II," del Toro brings the same fantastic qualities from "Labyrinth" to a wisecracking, stogie-chewing superhero.

Many moviegoers agreed with the critical assessment that HB2 created a spectacular visual world of creatures and action, while others seemed to think the fantasy was over the top, playing second fiddle to the action they would have preferred. Moviegoers said: "Fantastic, full of imagination" (many) . . . "More than just an action-hero movie, very creative" . . . "Artistic" . . . "Too different for me". . . "It's a surprise" . . . and "There are so many things I didn't like."

Brendan Fraser descends Jules Verne's famous tunnel into the man-eating-plant-infested, dinosaur-cluttered core of the Earth. Fraser is escorted by lovely trail guide Hannah (Anita Briem) and accompanied by nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson).

Accurately described by critics as more of a theme-park ride than a plot-driven story, audiences donned their 3-D glasses and strapped in for a fun-filled expedition. Viewers said: "The storyline is OK, but the 3-D effects rock" . . . "The glasses are too tight, but the 3-D effect is great" . . . "More novelty than movie. Very entertaining" . . . and "A lot of fun."

Hundreds of tiny aliens have come to Earth in a spaceship that looks like Eddie Murphy. The little ship's captain (also Murphy) guides the craft through assimilation into Earth culture and into love with Gina (Elizabeth Banks). A few gut-wrenchingly funny scenes are overwhelmed by much more mediocre material, earning "Meet Dave" a low 57 percent Audience Approval. Comments included: "Had its moments" . . . "Eddie Murphy is usually funny to me, but not so much in this one" (many) . . . "The humour was too immature" . . . "Dumb in the true sense of the word."

There are three views of Will Smith's superhero summer entry. Many moviegoers thought that it had the same style, CG-action mayhem and must-see entertainment value that you come to expect in most summer blockbuster releases these days. A second opinion is that a film with a flawed hero creates a uniquely challenging story, with a resolution that's apart from what's generally found in its genre. The third view is that of certain critics, many who have apparently abandoned earthly reason. Smith stars as "Hancock," an indestructible drunk whose careless seizure of criminals causes so much collateral damage to Los Angles that citizens call for his arrest. Enter kindhearted Ray (Jason Bateman), an altruistic PR man who provides Hancock with a plan to gain self-respect and public adoration. His son (Jae Head) respects Hancock, but Ray's beautiful wife (Charlize Theron) is more cautious. There are villains in this soup, but their threat takes a backseat to Hancock's inner struggles. Smith gets laughs not by being silly, but through embracing the austere persona of a lost soul, tempering his confusion with booze and his unrestrained authority. The film's arc is one of human interaction built convincing performances from Smith and Theron. It's an absorbing metamorphosis winding through unexpected territories . . . or simply just another must-see action discharge, depending on which of the two credible opinion camps one falls. Moviegoers said: "Don't listen to the critics, this movie is great" (many) . . . "I never really knew how things were going to turn out, it was a great story" . . . "Definitely different than most other superhero movies" . . . "Just another typical American-style superhero movie for me" . . . "Charlize is awesome" (many) . . . and "Lots of twists and turns right up to the end."

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 humor 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."

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 behavior 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 per cent 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."

Not quite up to the must-see ratings he scored in "The 40 Year Old Virgin (86 per cent) 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 labors. 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 humor of the TV series and it also had the action of a big James Bond movie; it was really good."

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 humor 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 humourous" . . . and "Something a bit far off."

Prodigious purveyor of horror and suspense M. Night Shyamalan presents a cautionary environmentalist tale. New Yorkers suddenly start killing themselves for no apparent reason, while Philadelphians Mark Wahlberg and wife Zooey Deschanel decide to hightail it to the country where it might be safer. Traveling with them is friend John Leguizamo and his young daughter. As they flee through the suburbs and subdivisions, nature plays tricks to hinder their passage: massive overdevelopment and waste is the not-so-subtle message here. Plants, air and animals appear to somehow be manipulating the mass suicides. As the tension builds and the bodies pile up, viewers were left with unconvincing performances and weak explanations. Confused and disappointed, viewers rated the film a terrible 24 per cent Audience Approval. I'd skip it for sure. Viewers said: "I didn't get it" . . . "Pure junk" . . . "Scary and stupid" . . . "Unbelievably disappointing" . . . "Much too long" . . . and "There has to be a better way to get this message across."

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 humor 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."

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