Reviews by Stephen Carty

Order by: Date, A–Z

• 
  Superman II - The Richard Donner Cut (2006)

  Review preview for Superman II - The Richard Donner Cut

  The continuity is shaky (what do you expect?), but the new material is more adult, less camp and with a devotion to character and logic that Lester’s just didn’t have.

  Reworked version of Superman II, featuring footage origianlly relegated to the cutting room floor.
• 
  Superman II (1980)

  Review preview for Superman II

  Without the shackles of an origin story, Superman II soars into action straight away.

  The Man of Steel takes on a trio of Kryptonian rebels.
• 
  Ashes To Ashes: Series Two (2009)

  Review preview for Ashes To Ashes: Series Two

  An improved second series that has more recurring plotlines and less irrelevant crimes of the week.

  The Gene Genie is back...
• 
  Star Trek (2009)

  Review preview for Star Trek

  JJ Abrams rescues Rodenbury's creation from the pop culture scrap heap and produces a very likeable romp.

  James T Kirk joins Starfleet and meets a tormented Spock threatened by a vengeful Romulan in this reboot of the Star Trek franchise.
• 
  Miami Vice (2006)

  Review preview for Miami Vice

  Though each scene moves by fairly slowly, the plot zooms past without the slightest concession.

  Cop duo Crockett and Tubbs ditch their 80s pastel suits to crack - pardon the pun - down on a gang of ruthless drug dealers in style.
• 
  The Matrix (1999)

  Review preview for The Matrix

  While undoubtedly complex the story is told in a way that those paying attention will know exactly what’s going on and not have to scramble to the internet afterwards for clarification.

  Visually dazzling sci-fi thriller. Re-released in 4K restoration.
• 
  Angels & Demons (2009)

  Review preview for Angels & Demons

  There are hints of a decent science-co-existing-with-religion debate, but it’s buried beneath copious layers of plotting.

  The Catholic Church calls on its old adversary Robert Langdon to save it from an Illuminati threat.
• 
  Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - Season Two (2008)

  Review preview for Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - Season Two

  The best episodes are still those which focus on Derek or offer flashes to the future.

  The second, longer season of the Chronicles leads us further into stacked paradoxes and the genesis of a resistance machine intelligence.
• 
  The Wire: Season Two (2003)

  Review preview for The Wire: Season Two

  It might be a tough watch that'll put many off early doors, but this is still top-notch television.

  The second season of the Baltimore drug-ring cops - and an all-new case.
• 
  Doctor Who: Series One (2005)

  Review preview for Doctor Who: Series One

  Yes, it’s flawed and a bit daft at times, but for transforming a show that virtually nobody thought was worth bringing back into impressive Saturday night TV, Davies deserves all the back-patting he gets.

  Russell T Davies' resurrection of the time traveller.
• 
  State Of Play (2009)

  Review preview for State Of Play

  A taut thriller that is frequently involving and rarely less than gripping.

  An investigative reporter finds his loyalties conflicted when a story involving murder, blackmail and conspiracy centres on his old friend, now an up-and-coming Congressman.
• 
  Juno (2007)

  Review preview for Juno

  Fresh, funny and bursting with heart.

  A teenager finds her own way of dealing with an unplanned pregnancy.
• 
  Insomnia (2002)

  Review preview for Insomnia

  With some awesome location shots of the Arctic circle and a brooding score from David Julyan, Nolan’s picture oozes atmosphere.

  Al Pacino is an LA detective come to Alaska to solve a teenage murder.
• 
  Blade (1998)

  Review preview for Blade

  Full of visceral action from start to finish, this is a kinetic mix of impressive stunts and inventive shots.

  A vampire half-breed wages war on his killer brethren.
• 
  Doctor Who: Series Two (2006)

  Review preview for Doctor Who: Series Two

  Tennant’s Doc is less haunted by past events than his predecessor and more of an infectious enthusiast, but there’s no doubting the gobby Scot is very, very likeable.

  Torchwood, Cybermen and Madame De Pompadour - oh, my! And Peter Kay running around in a fat suit.
• 
  Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge Of The Sith (2005)

  Review preview for Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge Of The Sith

  A dark and visceral full stop that bridges the narrative gaps as our chosen one embarks on his primal journey to that side of the force.

  Anakin's personal struggle against the Dark Side becomes more difficult as rebellious robots and an enemy within threaten to topple the Republic.
• 
  X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

  Review preview for X-Men Origins: Wolverine

  It’s not a washout, it’s just a mixed bag.

  An exploration of the origins of X-men mutant Wolverine.
• 
  Heroes: Season Three (2009)

  Review preview for Heroes: Season Three

  A season pretty much split down the middle, all the good work of the latter episodes will probably have been missed by viewers that have switched off already.

  The race is on to find a formula that will give normal folk super abilitites.
• 
  Fast & Furious (2009)

  Review preview for Fast & Furious

  Predictably, it’s much better than the previous two but not quite up the first.

  Pimped-out motors, pumped-up muscles and lots of burnt tarmac.
• 
  The Last Samurai (2003)

  Review preview for The Last Samurai

  Elegant, disciplined and, ultimately, stirring.

  Tom Cruise goes native in Japan in the years when honour was prized more highly than life itself.
• 
  Get Carter (1971)

  Review preview for Get Carter

  Violent, full of hard-hitting moments and peppered with liberal nudity.

  A Cockney gangster travels to Newcastle to investigate his brother's murder.
• 
  Life On Mars US: Season One (2008)

  Review preview for Life On Mars US: Season One

  Inferior to the original in practically every way.

  US version of the retro UK cop show about a copper stranded in the past.
• 
  Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

  Review preview for Little Miss Sunshine

  Without any clunky shifts or clumsy direction changes, Little Miss Sunshine impressively manages both knee-slapping and tear-jerking.

  A dysfunctional family's road trip to a beauty pageant.
• 
  Lucky You (2007)

  Review preview for Lucky You

  Though Barrymore isn’t terrible she pales in comparison to Bana’s raw presence and Duvall’s subtle talent.

  Two poker players find romance.
• 
  Lions For Lambs (2007)

  Review preview for Lions For Lambs

  All three narratives deliver and keep us interested as the tale moves between them.

  Two US soldiers in Afghanistan are placed in jeopardy as politicians, journalists and academics battle it out back home.
• 
  TMNT (2007)

  Review preview for TMNT

  All together now, cowabunga!

  The heroes in a half shell are back on the big screen.
• 
  Lilo & Stitch (2002)

  Review preview for Lilo & Stitch

  Though it won’t rank among the best in the Disney canon, it’s still funny, charming and more than worth 80 minutes of your reality-television-worshiping lives.

  Mini-monster from outer space makes friends with misfit girl in Haiwaii.
• 
  Star Wars: Episode 2 - Attack Of The Clones (2002)

  Review preview for Star Wars: Episode 2 - Attack Of The Clones

  Unfortunately, while a marked improvement over last time, Attack Of The Clones still isn't a return to the old magic.

  Obi-Wan and Anakin are put in charge of protecting the Naboo senatoress after an attempt on her life.
• 
  Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace (1999)

  Review preview for Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace

  Based on a 15-page outline the great bearded one wrote in 1976, the script undoes itself with copious politics, needless complications and near endless exposition.

  Lucas's Star Wars origins story returns to the big screen in 3D.
• 
  Layer Cake (2004)

  Review preview for Layer Cake

  Layer Cake takes itself more seriously and is miles above anything on Guy Ritchie’s resume.

  Cockney drug dealer become enmeshed in gang war over stolen happy pills.
• 
  The Last King Of Scotland (2006)

  Review preview for The Last King Of Scotland

  Like Amin himself, The Last King Of Scotland is uncompromising, gruelling and, at times, gripping.

  Ugandan dictator's rise to power as seen through the eyes of a young doctor.
• 
  K-Pax (2001)

  Review preview for K-Pax

  A beautiful film about family, connecting with others and finding the meaning in life.

  A psychiatrist takes on a patient whose claim that he is from outer space is surprisingly convincing.
• 
  Breaking Bad: Season One (2008)

  Review preview for Breaking Bad: Season One

  A mixture of intelligent writing, hard-hitting topics and ballsy acting.

  A chemistry teacher embraces a life of crime after being diagnosed with cancer.
• 
  The Boat That Rocked (2009)

  Review preview for The Boat That Rocked

  Feeling like watered-down Curtis, the jokes frequently fall flat and you keep waiting for the big laughs that we know he can deliver.

  The story of a boat-based pirate radio station which the government tries to ban.
• 
  Heroes: Season One (2006)

  Review preview for Heroes: Season One

  While the threat facing our gang is far too big and epic (how can Season Two top nuclear disaster?) it also casts a dark apocalyptic shadow over proceedings.

  A group of people discover they have special abilities – and fate soon draws them together to save the world.
• 
  Heroes: Season Two (2006)

  Review preview for Heroes: Season Two

  Feels crammed and rushed as the writers scramble to wrap up storylines which were obviously designed to go on for longer.

  The fragmented Heroes band together to stop the Company unleashing the Shanti virus. And Sylar just won't stay dead.
• 
  The Damned United (2009)

  Review preview for The Damned United

  It’s Sheen’s ability to humanise the brilliant-yet-volatile legend that hits the back of the net hardest.

  Partially fictionalised biopic of the outspoken manager, Brian Clough
• 
  Iron Man (2008)

  Review preview for Iron Man

  Arguably the most pitch-perfect casting in a comic book movie since Christopher Reeve in 1978’s Superman

  A wealthy industrialist fights evil with a newly invented super-suit.
• 
  Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994)

  Review preview for Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult

  As for the laughs, they keep coming to the point it is tough to keep track of why you are in hysterics.

  Frank Drebin returns, this time attempting to foil a bomb plot at the Oscars.
• 
  The Long Good Friday (1980)

  Review preview for The Long Good Friday

  Nearly 30 years later and John Mackenzie’s classic is still the yard-stick for any new entry into the genre.

  A London kingpin is attempting to broaden his empire... but soon finds his gang are a target.
• 
  Miami Vice: Season One (1984)

  Review preview for Miami Vice: Season One

  The substance doesn’t match the over-abundance of style.

  Groundbreaking detective show which proved it was cool for cops.
• 
  Battlestar Galactica: The Miniseries (2003)

  Review preview for Battlestar Galactica: The Miniseries

  Complex, well-written and intelligent science-fiction.

  Humans flee to escape anihilation at the hands of the Cylons.
• 
  Bionic Woman: Season One (2007)

  Review preview for Bionic Woman: Season One

  Relies too heavily on plot-of-the-week adventures and is peppered with clichés.

  A barmaid saved by high-tech medical implants adapts to a new role as part of a shady goverment organisation.
• 
  The International (2009)

  Review preview for The International

  It’s tough to care for our protagonist despite how unfeasibly chiselled his chops are.

  An Interpol agent and a lawyer try to uncover an international banking scandal.
• 
  Watchmen (2009)

  Review preview for Watchmen

  Snyder’s spot-on production values and sets bring the pages to life aesthetically while the frequently-verbatim narrative follows the text as closely as possible.

  An adaptation of the acclaimed graphic novel in which self-proclaimed heroes fight for the good of humanity - or for what they interpret as such.
• 
  The Wire: Season One (2002)

  Review preview for The Wire: Season One

  Truly gripping.

  Baltimore detective series sees a team of detectives take on a drug lord.
• 
  Push (2009)

  Review preview for Push

  The best praise you can heap on Push is that it’s nearly good.

  Young telekinetics and clairvoyants band together to try to escape a sinister government agency.
• 
  Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1956)

  Review preview for Invasion Of The Body Snatchers

  The noir-style bleakness gives it a taut atmosphere that most contemporary movies still cannot match.

  A doctor finds his community is being secretly taken over by an alien invasion.
• Hulk (2003)

  Review preview for Hulk

  An odd mix of ponderous arthouse and action-packed blockbuster.

  Ang Lee directs summer blockbuster of the Marvel Comics scientist who turns green with anger.
• 
  The Dark Knight (2008)

  Review preview for The Dark Knight

  Incredibly, The Dark Knight lives up to all the expectation, and then some.

  The Caped Crusader isn't the only batty one in Gotham... The Joker's also in town.