Theme: Chosen Ones

The Mummy (2017) – Tom Cruise, Annabelle Wallis, Sofia Boutella and Russell Crowe

This is primarily a historical / sci-fi thriller movie, with good action, but it also verges on borderline horror, with zombies etc — similar to Blade in this regard; and like Blade, it just about qualifies for listing on this site due to its good action content and being not so unbearably horror.

The action and general production here is of a good standard, but the horror factor is a bit unpleasant to say the least. In a way it’s barely watchable, but I’m going to rate it Above Average in the end.

Tom, Annabelle, Sofia and Russell all deliver strong performances in this movie, as expected.

The Medallion (2003) – Jackie Chan, Lee Evans and Claire Forlani

The Medallion 2003 is another lighthearted slapstick action movie from Jackie Chan. This one has a mildly curious plot twist in the middle, when Jackie Chan comes back from the dead. It benefits from comedian Lee Evans, and Claire Forlani (from Meet Joe Black), as Jackie Chan’s partners in policework. There’s a bit of sci-fi fantasy here with this one. I rate it Bang Average so far as action hero movies go, because the characters aren’t deep and the action is so lighthearted. On the plus side, it’s mildly entertaining throughout. A young Scott Adkins plays one of the baddies’ goons in a few fight scenes here.

Green Lantern (2011) – Ryan Reynolds

Green Lantern is a Decent superhero movie from DC. Ryan Reynolds stars as the main man and this role kind of suits him — he comes across as rather easygoing and semi-vulnerable yet stubbornly courageous throughout.

If you’re looking for a mature, down-to-earth, old-school Van Damme style movie, this one isn’t for you. But if you’re open to this kind of comicbook genre, played by real actors to a decent standard, with semi-serious emotions and high quality modern visual effects, you might enjoy this one. Easily watchable every few years. Consistently entertaining enough, and powerful enough it its best moments, to rate it well above average — I think Decent is about the right rating here. Just be mindful it’s a weird genre that won’t always fit your mood.