Quick Reviews: 2013 Movies [PART 08]

The Lone Ranger (2013) - It has an authentically sleek western feel, the few action scenes are very well-shot, and the cast delivers, but "The Lone Ranger" has three major issues -- it's bumpy, 30 minutes overlong, and just not adventurous enough. (5.00/10)

Ender's Game (2013) - It's a visual stunner, that's for sure, but "Ender's Game" is  humorless and takes itself rather seriously, plus, it's sad to see that a movie full of so much creativity and so many original ideas, suffers badly from such a lifeless execution. (5.25/10)

White House Down (2013) - Loud, messy, and apparently expensive to made, "White House Down" is an action-driven flick that requires you to turn off your brain, and enjoy both the presidential chaos happening on screen, and the actors' chemistry. (5.50/10)

Olympus Has Fallen (2013) - There's zero originality about it, and the story over-exaggerated, and yet "Olympus Has Fallen" still entertains due to Fuqua's ability to maintain the suspense throughout, as well as to deliver some epic, if messy action. (5.50/10)

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013) - It's far from great, but much like its predecessor, "Sea of Monsters" is a lighthearted fantasy flick, with a solid story, likable characters, and awesome CGIs, that can be easily enjoyed by children and adults alike. (6.00/10)

Riddick (2013) - The creatures are imaginative to say the least, Riddick himself is total badass, and the golden tint of the cinematography gives the film a slick edge, but while heavy on special effects, "Riddick" is very light on plot, and that makes it just ok. (6.25/10)

Escape Plan (2013) - Entertaining, well-conceived, and smarter than it should be, Escape Plan works well not only because it brings probably the two biggest action stars of the 80s together, but also because of its old-school vibe and clever plot twists. (6.50/10)

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) - Smartly-written, visually-striking, and impeccably-made, if slightly uneven, "Star Trek: Into Darkness" may be a notch below its fabulous predecessor, but it's still a solid, and thrilling entry into the beloved sci-fi franchise. (7.50/10)

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) - The river sequence is perfection, but apart from that "The Desolation of Smaug" is slightly less exciting and spectacular than the previous film, and yet still a great entry that proves Jackson's consistency. (8.00/10)

Thor: The Dark World (2013) - More about Asgard, and less about the Earth, as it should be, "Thor: The Dark World" is, certainly, superior the original, impressing with its darkly engaging story, big sense of humor, and some truly astounding imagery. (7.50/10)