The A-Team (2010)

A group of Iraq War veterans looks to clear their name with the U.S. military, who suspect the four men of committing a crime for which they were framed.

The movie manages to recreate the TV series not-so-serious tone and does entertain in that fashion, but is weighed down by over-the-top (and expensive) pyrotechnics.

Maltin**1/2: "A B movie tricked out with big-budget production values...Neeson establishes the seriocomic tone with self-mocking sass and steely-eyed authority. Overdone, to be sure, but surprisingly entertaining."

District 9 (2009)

An extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth suddenly finds a kindred spirit in a government agent who is exposed to their biotechnology.

Amazingly unusual sci-fi tale which is fast-paced and thrilling, the special effects quite realistic (and gory), and the movie also has its own ati-racist message.

Maltin***1/2: "Told in documentary style, this canny, captivating science-fiction tale grabs you and never lets go. Exceptional visual effects seamlessly woven into the storytelling."

Chappie (2015)

In the near future, crime is patrolled by a mechanized police force, but one police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, he becomes the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself.

Although quite violent and rude at times, this sci-fi movie is more like a fairy-tale in disguise and does show some heart and emotion.

Elysium (2013)

In the year 2154, the very wealthy live on a man-made space station while the rest of the population resides on a ruined Earth, and a man takes on a mission that could bring equality to the polarized worlds.

A good sci-fi plot with some great sets is staged like an ordinary actioner without any thrilling urgency and without the righteous moral and political rage you'd expect from the story.

Maltin**1/2: "Writer-director Blomkamp's follow-up to DISTRICT 9 offers a similar blend of science fiction and social commentary, but after a promising start it runs off the rails, becoming a grim, gritty shoot-'em-up devoid of fun. Foster's mannered performance...is also hard to take."