This week at the movies, we’ve got heavily-armed undercover agents (2 Guns, starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg) and hijinks-prone blue creatures (The Smurfs 2, starring Neil Patrick Harris and Katy Perry). What do the critics have to say?
It’s an old truism that audiences are generally willing to forgive even the most absurd plot developments if they enjoy spending time with the stars. Such is the case with 2 Guns, which critics say is a largely mindless, ridiculously convoluted action flick that benefits immeasurably from the chemistry between Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. An undercover DEA agent (Washington) robs a bank with the help of a man (Wahlberg) who’s also undercover. But neither of them knows the other’s real identity, leading to a series of double-crosses and perilous scrapes for our heroes. The pundits say 2 Guns is hardly the most original or cohesive crime picture in the world, but thanks to the tough wisecracks that Washington and Wahlberg fire at one another, you’re likely to give the story a pass. (Check out this week’s Total Recall, in which we count down co-star Bill Paxton’s best-reviewed movies.)
Given that the reviews for the first Smurfs adventure were less than smurfy, it’s little wonder that the critics feel essentially the same about The Smurfs 2; namely, that this blend of cheesy one-liners, slapstick gags, and general tomfoolery may delight small children but holds limited appeal to anyone else. This time out, Smurfette is kidnapped by Gargamel’s newly-minted minions called Naughties, and Papa Smurf and the gang team up with human pal Patrick (Neil Patrick Harris) to save her. The pundits say The Smurfs 2 strands its talented cast in an indifferently animated and plotted sequel that’s even less inspired than its critically-derided predecessor. (Check out our video interviews with Smurfs 2 stars Harris and Hank Azaria.)
The Spectacular Now, starring Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley in a coming-of-age dramedy about a hard-partying high schooler who reconsiders his ways when he meets a more grounded classmate, is Certified Fresh at 93 percent.
The Belgian import Our Children, a drama about a woman who cracks under the strain of her familial responsibilities, is at 93 percent.
Smash & Grab: The Story of the Pink Panthers, a documentary about a daring and prolific band of jewel thieves, is at 75 percent.
Europa Report, starring Michael Nyqvist and Embeth Davidtz in a found-footage sci-fi thriller about a group of astronauts in search of life on one of Jupiter’s moons, is at 73 percent.
When Comedy Went to School, a doc about the 1950s heyday of such comedians as Jerry Stiller, Jerry Lewis, and Sid Caesar, is at 69 percent.
Cockneys vs Zombies, starring Harry Treadaway and Honor Blackman in a horror/comedy about a motley crew of working-class Brits working together to stave off a zombie attack, is at 68 percent.
Rising From Ashes, a doc about a group of Rwandan cyclists and their strenuous preparations to qualify for the London Olympics, is at 67 percent.
The Artist and the Model, starring Jean Rochefort and Claudia Cardinale in a World War II-era period drama about an aging sculptor who finds artistic inspiration from a young runaway, is at 50 percent.
Drift, starring Sam Worthington in a drama about a family of Australian surfing pioneers, is at 29 percent.
The Canyons, starring Lindsay Lohan and James Deen in a thriller about a movie producer who becomes jealous and possessive of his would-be actress girlfriend, is at 23 percent.
