The Summer of Sequel and Remake Overload?

SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE

ANIMATED

PLOT:    Four Smurfs find a map where there are even more Smurfs and try to save them from the evil

                Gargamel.

                This movie is all animated-no live action but it is still delightful.  Smurfette still feels alone for she still is the only girl but they discover there are more Smurfs beyond the gray wall-even girl Smurfs.  The voices are different actors that include singer Demi Lovato (Smurfette), Joe Manganiello (Hefty), Brainy (Danny Pudi) and Clumsy (Jack McBrayer).  The evil Gargamel is voiced by Rainn Wilson.  The real surprise Julia Roberts does the voice of SmurfWilliow.  It is very cute and imaginative if you like the characters, if not wait for video.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 2

ACTION/FANTASY

PLOT:  The further adventures of Star-Lord and his crew.

                Peter Quill/Star-Lord(Chris Pratt) finds out by accident about his father Ego(Kurt Russell): Gamora (Zoe Saldana) finds out why her sister competes with her; Groot is growing; Rocket is still a thief and Drax (Dave Bautista) is not so angry like in the last movie.  The special effects are just amazing; there are some surprising cameos and 5 post credits so stay until it is over.  If you like the first film you will enjoy the second.  It is much lighter than the original but it does get sober near the end.  A good popcorn movie to start the summer.

KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD

ACTION/ADVENTURE/FANTASY

PLOT:  A unique version of King Arthur.

                If you see this movie forget about Disney’s The Sword and the Stone-it isn’t!  It doesn’t have Merlin or Morgana either.  It is a gritty, realistic mixture of Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings and every other fantasy film you have seen.  Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy, Pacific Rim) is the title character who as child saw his parents die and survived by being a thief.  He finds out he is the true king but doesn’t want the title and what comes with it.

Astrid Berges-Frisbey is the Mage, a magical woman to guide him to his true purpose in life.  Hunnam is good as commoner turned king.  The best acting comes from Jude Law as Vortigen, the guy who took the kingdom from his brother.  The film is doing terrible in the US and overseas because it is not really a popcorn movie for the summer.  It is not any version most people know or it has been done so many times most people don’t want to see another tale of King Arthur.