“Pacific Rim Uprising”

1 star

The sequel to the 2013 Guillermo del Toro film, “Pacific Rim,” continues the story of what would happen if gigantic creatures called Kaiju came slithering into our world. The only way to battle the beasts is with gigantic robots known as Jaegers that are so huge it takes two pilots locked at the cerebellum to make it work.

In the first film, the moody and dark Idris Elba was in charge of saving the world. The job has been handed down to his rebellious son, Jake Pentecost (John Boyega). There was a time when Jake was a promising Jaeger pilot, but he gave it up. It’s been 10 years after the war ended when Jake is forced back into the program. The timing is perfect because a new threat has surfaced that could end the world.

“Pacific Rim Uprising” looks like a junior high drama department’s spring production of “Pacific Rim” where the story has been watered down, the actors are a pale imitation of the original team and action scenes come across as leftover bits from better action offerings. There’s a promise at the end of another film. “Pacific Rim Uprising” is such a mess that the chance of another is more of a threat than a promise. 

"I Can Only Imagine"

3 stars

The opening lyrics of the MercyMe song "I Can Only Imagine" are "I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by your side." Those simple words begin what has become the most-played Christian radio single ever.

A song with such power must come from a special place, and that is what the new DVD release "I Can Only Imagine" examines. Directors Andrew and Jon Erwin, working from a script by Alex Cramer, offer a glimpse into the pain and suffering MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard (J. Michael Finley) experienced as elements of his life finally came together to put him in an emotional, spiritual and physical place to pen such a powerful song.

"I Can Only Imagine" is a story about the art of faith and having faith in the arts. The combination makes the production worthy to be included in the world of the better faith-based movies. At the same time, it is full of universal points about family, finding your way in life, dealing with talent issues and being ready when inspiration arrives that will be familiar to a broad audience.

"Sherlock Gnomes"

1 star

The mystery of "Sherlock Gnomes" is elementary, my dear reader: The film is as flat as British cooking.

Director John Stevenson ("Kung Fu Panda") has taken the few best parts of the animated film "Gnomeo & Juliet" and the intellectual stylings of the Sherlock Holmes tales and removed them from the equation in making the clueless tale of suspense. It is neither flashy nor fun enough for youngsters, nor mentally challenging enough for adults.

One of the big problems is the sequel is a follow-up to a production that didn't have a lot going for it in the first place. The 2011 release, "Gnomeo & Juliet," was the story of two gnomes from opposite sides of the fence who fall in love. It took 11 years to make the animated take on Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" using garden gnomes, but the result felt more like it was made in days. The script lacked originality, the Elton John soundtrack felt forced and the characters were more creepy than cuddly.

Even if the script had been smarter and the gags less stale, the gnomes remained unappealing as they do in this new offering.

"Alex & Me"

2 stars

A family-friendly film that looks at what happens when teenager Reagan Willis (Siena Agudong) dreams of playing soccer like her hero, Alex Morgan, but faces huge issues. When Reagan fails to make the cut of the top local soccer club team and is humiliated by her rival, her dream turns into a nightmare. That changes when Reagan accidentally hits her head and the poster of Alex Morgan (playing herself) comes to life.

Siena shows skill both on and off the field and anchors the movie. But, while Morgan brings a touch of reality to the project and does a passable job, it would have been a better strategy to have gone with a fictional sports star so an actor could take on the part. It would have made Siena's work even better.