xXx: Return of Xander Cage

is a big, dumb hit of fun that has all the strengths and weaknesses you would expect from this third installment in the xXx series.

If you don't know the series, don't worry; you'll be fine, because the film gives you more than enough background.  The basic idea is that a super-secret government agency, led by Samuel L. Jackson, recruits extreme athletes as secret agents.  The first was Xander Cage, Vin Diesel's character.

The first movie was the most fun of the group, because the concept was new and the settings were loud and silly.  This one is a close second.  The forgettable second film is just that, forgettable, but Ice Cube does deliver a few fun silly moments in it.

The strengths are what you see in the trailer:  pretty people, insane stunts, tons of action.  The weaknesses are also what you would guess:  acting and basic storytelling.

If I haven't mentioned it lately, I should note that I try to take each movie for what it is.  If it's a big, dumb, action flick, I settle in to enjoy that.  If it's a nuanced character film, I enjoy that.  I review films in terms of those goals, not by an absolute standard.

As a big, dumb action film, this latest xXx installment isn't stellar, A-class entertainment, but the consensus of the group that saw it with me--a consensus I agree with--is that it was big enough and fun enough to be well worth seeing.  We all had a good time.

I suspect if you approach the movie the same way, you will, too.

The Last Witch Hunter

is exactly what its trailers make it look like:  a big goofy movie in which Vin Diesel uses all three of his expressions in pursuit of beating bad guys.  You either want to see a Vin with sword flick or you don't, but you should know that going into the theater; you have no one to blame but yourself if you go against your instinct.

Me, I enjoy seeing Vin stomping around and waving a sword, so I generally enjoyed the movie.  Its plot makes just enough sense (don't push its edges or ask too many questions) to be fun.  Its cast is okay, with Michael Caine once again proving he will take any role, and Rose Leslie trying to look tough enough for her character.  Elijah Wood deserves a special Oscar for Most Creepy Looking Man in a Turtleneck.

Having said all this, the movie is certainly no Fast and Furious or Riddick film, and Vin's charms often feel like a poor match for the material.

The Last Witch Hunter is decidedly minor Vin, but for some people on some nights, that's enough reason to hit the theater.  You already know if you're one of those people.

Furious 7

proved to be just about everything I had hoped it would be, and then some.  Though I could make cases for both the fifth and the sixth films in the franchise--and this most definitely is now a dream Hollywood franchise--being the best of the group, overall I have to go with Furious 7 as the winner.  If you liked any of the previous films in the series, you will not want to miss this one.

Within the class of summer action blockbuster films, what flaws this movie has boil down to not enough screen time for all the great stars involved.  I would have loved more minutes of Jason Statham, The Rock (Dwayne Johnson), Tony Jaa, and Ronda Rousey, to name but the four most notable folks.  When your biggest complaints about a film, though, are that you wish it gave you even more minutes--and it clocks in at 2:20--you're really searching for flaws.

Now, if we want to evaluate Furious 7 as a serious film, then we would have to critique it for being completely absurd in plot, dialog, and acting--but why would we do that?  If you walk into the theater to see this one, you know what you're in for.

I'm not giving away much by noting that the end of the movie is a loving farewell to Paul Walker, who as all fans know died before they had finished the initial shooting.  Though this segment was obviously and directly designed to yank our emotional chains, it succeeded, and I was genuinely touched by the affection the filmmakers seemed to feel for Walker.  Everyone I spoke with felt the same way.

All during this movie, people throughout the audience were saying "Yes!" and making similar happy comments and noises.  At the film's end, the audience clapped.

If you want a big-time summer action film, run, maybe even race, to Furious 7.

Slower and less angry

Yes, I ignored all the reviews and last Friday night went to check out Fast and Furious. Why?

Two words: Michelle Rodriguez. I knew in advance that her role was little more than a long cameo, but I just can't resist her.

Plus, to be fair, we had fast cars and plenty of things going "Boom!"

To my surprise, the 9:40 show at our local theater sold out, and the 10:10 show, which we attended, was nearly full. As my friend, Alissa, a teacher who moonlights at the theater to make extra money, knowingly said, "People like them some Vin."

The film had a plot. It had characters, and it made sure we knew most of their motivations--and slyly kept vague the demons driving Paul Walker, as it would reveal them over time. The team behind this number-one-at-the-box-office feature carefully assembled all of the pieces.

Unfortunately, I don't think anyone in the theater cared about any of the characters in the film. Giving a damn about them would have required more effort than digesting the last Amazon cardboard box you received.

All that said, I went in expecting empty calories, dined on my movie junk food, and left having had a pleasant enough time watching fast cars and things going "Boom!" I am such a movie slut.

I just wish they'd given Michelle Rodriguez a bigger role.