“Astro Boy”

(Animation/Adventure/Science-Fiction: 1 hour, 34 minutes); Starring: Nicolas Cage, Charlize Theron, Samuel L. Jackson, Freddie Highmore, Bill Nighy, Donald Sutherland and Eugene Levy; Director: David Bowers; Rated: PG (Violence and some thematic elements)

Movie Review: Bereaved father Dr. Tenma (Cage) cannot accept the loss of his ultra-intelligent son, Tobey (Highmore). Tenma creates an android in the very image of his son, downloading his son’s memories into the machine. Tobey comes to life as Astro Boy, a mechanical kid that doubles as a weapon. The boy robot comes just in time. Ruthless leader Stone (Sutherland) runs the futuristic Metro City like a dictatorship and needs a worthy adversary.

Known in Japan as “Tetsuwan Atomu,” a cartoon that ran from 1963-1966, “Astro Boy” is a unique film. Despite its presence as a kids film, it provides a plot with grown-up themes.

Bowers last co-directed his first film, “Flushed Away,” (2006) with Sam Fell. Bowers, writers and the animators of this slick piece make it dramatic, as it is adventurous and action-oriented.

Usually, big-named stars voices dominate the animated characters. Such a dynamic instance is not here.

Action and adventure are all present, and the plot is cute and endearing. “Astro Boy” is a worthy outing for any family.

Grade: B (Astronomical amusement!)

“Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant”

(Action/Adventure: 1 hour, 48 minutes); Starring: John C. Reilly, Josh Hutcherson, Chris Massoglia, Ken Watanabe, and Salma Hayek; Director: Paul Weitz; Rated: PG-13 (Thematic elements, violence and strong language)

Movie Review: Darren Shan (Massoglia) is 16. His stress level is about normal for a teen. This changes after Darren agrees to be the assistant of Larten Crepsley, a vampire, to save the life of his best friend, Steve (Hutcherson). Darren must leave his normal life to travel with Cirque Du Freak.

Reilly does his best, but the best this film has to offer is a unique pairing of Massoglia and Hutcherson as best friends. Their pairing is uniquely similar to that of Corey Feldman and Corey Haim, who were big teen stars during the 1980s and starred in a vampire film called “The Lost Boys” (1987) and the more recent television series “The Two Coreys.”

Paul Weitz has directed better movies. His past resume includes “American Pie” (1999), “About a Boy” (2002), and “In Good Company” (2004). “Vampire’s Assistant” is opened ended, as it is a beginning for other films in a planned series. After this, producers should cancel future showings. Freakily done, this piece needs assistance.

Grade: C (Put in a coffin and bury.)