What’s it about?

Several seasons into their “five-year mission”, the crew of the Enterprise, led by the cocksure yet jaded James Tiberius Kirk (Chris Pine) and his emotionally detached scientific officer Spock (Zachary Quinto), heed a distress call from uncharted space. It’s a trap! Oh, wrong franchise.

What did we think?

Ben Bissett and Elizabeth Best say: Beyond may be the title card, but this film asks us to boldly go where we’ve gone before. Set pieces that look like they’re straight from the halcyon TV series, populated by aliens that resemble demons from Buffy meld to create a film that pays fond, knowing homage to the old days of the Enterprise, stardate, oh, whenever Shatner was on the bridge. As always, Star Trek is about the relationships, most importantly that of Spock and Kirk, and the actors all deliver here. The message, that unity is stronger than division, resonates in our uncertain political times, and it’s treated with a great deal of reverence. Colossal visual effects are, as per its predecessors, off the planet (sorry) yet the most powerful image in the movie is a single photograph towards the end. Prepare to wipe a tear away, Trekkers.

What’s it about?
A recently escaped Joker targets Batman, Commissioner Gordon and his daughter Batgirl in a depraved mission to prove a point: We’re all just one bad day away from going mad.

What did we think?

Clint Skene says: True to the comics as if it was ripped from the pages itself, scenes play out more as art than straight feature. Each scene leaves you more uneasy than the last as The Joker raises the stakes of depravity with each passing second (including an incredibly upsetting song and dance number). It’s high drama, confronting themes and squeamish moments, married with an atmospheric score and amazing performances from Batman alumni Mark Hamill, Kevin Conroy and Tara Strong. This is definitely another smash hit for WB Animation. The Killing Joke is a remarkable and much welcomed addition to the DC Animated universe.

What’s it about?

When ghosts start to plague the people of Manhattan, four women with paranormal expertise and badass skills band together to save the city. Who you gonna call?

What did we think?

Francesca Percy says: Hallelujah and praise Zuul! It’s been a long time since I saw a movie and wanted to go right back in and see it again; but this fun, joyous, smart, ridiculous, hilarious film made me want to.

As a die-hard fan of the original I was apprehensive about this re-boot, but it has the same fantastic spirit and strikes the right balance between honouring the past and forging a new path. The new ghostbusting foursome are a treat to watch (plus Chris Hemsworth’s comedic side really shines), as are the special effects; from the old-school toys to the new flashy ghosts.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

Maggie (Greta Gerwig) plans to have a baby on her own through artificial insemination, but switches tracks when she falls for a handsome teacher, John (Ethan Hawke), who is already married with kids to a shrewd academic, Georgette (Julianne Moore).

WHAT DID WE THINK?

Dominic Barlow says: Writer-director Rebecca Miller (The Private Lives of Pippa Lee) returns after seven years with this deeply enjoyable screwball romance set in New York City. Gerwig is on fine form as ever, but the entire cast – also including Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, and Travis Fimmel – turns in amazing and funny performances. Filmed with gorgeous winter scenery and costuming, it’s a warm and affecting story about our obligations to the ones we love.

What’s it about?
Ten years after leaving the jungle, Tarzan and Jane must return to save Africa from Christoph Waltz, who wants diamonds, or slaves, or colonialism, or something.

What did we think?
Amy Currie says: Just awful. Alexander Skarsgård’s Tarzan is entirely without charm and personality. Margot Robbie makes desperate attempts to compensate by being as sassy and vivacious as she possibly can, which is even worse. She ain’t your grandma’s Jane! Am I right, ladies? Christoph Waltz tries vaguely as a pantomime villain in white linen, and is the best thing in it with the exception of a CGI baby elephant. Oh, and Samuel L Jackson is Tarzan’s wisecracking cowboy sidekick who fires a machine gun and jokes about licking testicles. At least the animals don’t talk.

What’s it about?

Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is whisked away to Giant Country when she accidently spots a giant (Mark Rylance) going about his business in the middle of the night. She and her new friend the BFG must come up with a plan to stop his friends from kidnapping and eating children in England.

What did we think?

Elizabeth Best says: If you ever read this Roald Dahl book as a child, this movie will be a giant (geddit?), nostalgic punch right in the feels. The BFG himself is brought to glorious life through the ever-expressive face of Rylance and the deft touches of a very talented animation team. The dream worlds fizz with life and imaginative design that leaps off the page.

Adapting a rather short story into a full length movie has it’s pitfalls though, and the pace does seem to lag  in the middle, as smaller ideas from the novel feel fleshed out for time.

Though some of Dahl’s darker ideas are glossed over (as they always seem to be in movie form), and the Sophie seems a bit more precocious than I remember her, The BFG (both movie and character) is still rather charming.

What’s it about?
Scrat’s epic pursuit of his elusive acorn catapults him outside of Earth, where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the planet. To save themselves from peril, Manny, Sid, Diego, and the rest of the herd leave their home and embark on a quest full of thrills and spills.

What did we think?
We’re now five Ice Age instalments in and we’re sadly reaching the point where adults are praying for the exinction of the prehistorics. What was once, at its heart, a sweet family story is now a frenetic ADD children’s film with character numbers and guest stars put ahead of what little plot there is. The sheer number of animals – new and old – makes it difficult to keep track of but at least distracts you from the idea that a woolly mammoth can save the world from an asteroid collision.

High-quality animation helps and there’s more than enough there for the kids and during school holidays that’s all you need. I’d suggest getting your partner to take them though.

What’s it about?
The peaceful realm of Azeroth stands on the brink of war as its civilisation faces a fearsome race of invaders: orc warriors fleeing their dying home to colonise another. If that sentence alone doesn’t excite you then stop reading here and run far away: this movie won’t be for you.

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: With the vision of Lord Of The Rings but the delivery of Dungeons and Dragons the cartoon series, Warcraft doesn’t manage to hit the mainstream target. Perhaps the 5 million or so subscribers to the game will get more out of it than I,  but this fantasy film – a genre I DO enjoy – feels more wearisome than exciting.

Impressive effects can’t hide the weak script that feels like it’s written by the computer game writers themselves: lots of ambiguity and open threads that don’t really get answered. Just like the open-ended game. Only for die-hards of the game.

What’s it about?
The friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish from Finding Nemo remembers her family and sets out to find them.

What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Sequels are usually a tough thing, but Finding Dory is more of a logical procession from the first film which only strengthens the story. But be warned – Finding Dory is significantly more emotional than its predecessor and don’t be surprised if a tear or two leaks out. Kids will marvel at the colours and animals while adults will feel for the absent-minded Dory. Great voice acting, heartwarming story, wonderful new characters complementing the familiar ones all wrapped together with Pixar’s usual top-notch animation. You can’t ask for more really.