Arts & Entertainment

Movie Reviews: 'The Lone Ranger', 'Despicable Me 2', 'World War Z' and More

Movie reviews and movie times for theaters in West Des Moines, including "White House Down" and "The Heat". Let Patch help you decide what you're going to see this weekend.

Movie information aggregated from moviefone.com

The Lone Ranger

"Though the story is mostly faithful to the established origin of the character, it's not until the last 15 minutes, when "The William Tell Overture" arrives in its full glory, that this starts to feel a little like The Lone Ranger. But that's too little, too late. And when The Ranger (played here by Armie Hammer) finally shouts "Hi-yo Silver," the moment is spoiled by turning it into a joke." James Berardinelli, ReelViews. Full Review

"This smart-looking but empty adventure — with a hero that looks more Tom Ford than John Ford — suffers from a shambling script, shifting tones and a surplus of villains. Clunky and drawn out, “Ranger” shoots blanks, even with the star power of Johnny Depp behind it." Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News. Full Review

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Despicable Me 2
"The minions give good mayhem and the twig-armed animation’s lovely. Despite the coolest submarine-car since Bond’s Lotus Esprit, though, Despicable Me 2 is light on gadgets – and surprises, too." Total Film. Full Review

"I
t falters in the middle and hesitates unnecessarily in setting up the love story, but Gru still has charm and kids will adore the Minions." Helen O'Hara, Empire. Full Review
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White House Down
"Skip it, and you'll be depriving yourself of one of the summer's most satisfyingly stupid pleasures." Entertainment Weekly. Full Review

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The Heat
"A bawdy and belligerent comedy, meant mostly for folks looking for nothing more than to enjoy a few laughs." Jeremy Legel, Film.com

"Give it up for Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. You’ll never see them work harder at a comedy than in The Heat, a stumbling, aggressively loud and profane cop buddy picture where they struggle to wring “funny” out of a script that isn’t." Roger Moore, Movie Nation.

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World War ZThis nightmarish travelogue is coy about gore, but it’s still an effective thrill-ride. If the sequel happens, let’s hope it delivers some actual combat. Empire, Full Review
Go big or go home, they say; World War Z picks the wrong choice for its slow fade-out, and, instead of leaving you in fear of being chomped upon as you exit the theater, makes you feel enraged that you’ve been more than a little cheated. David Fear, Time Out New York. Full Review

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Monsters University
Speaking of second chances, Monsters University is exactly the rebound Pixar needed after 2011's "Cars 2" left some wondering if the studio had lost its magic. Entertainment Weekly, Full Review.

It’s easily the most enjoyable animated film so far this year, one that is visually stunning, wickedly subversive, incredibly funny (Day's character is a hoot), and (at times) lump-in-your-throat emotional. Drew Taylor, The Playlist. Full Review
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Man of Steel
"Deploying an impeccable American accent, Brit Henry Cavill may be as charming as the late great Christopher Reeve." Lou Lumenick, New York Post. Full Review

"The local multiplex is lousy with celluloid crime fighters. So what turf is left for good old Clark Kent? That's the nagging question that director Zack Snyder's Man of Steel tries — and ultimately fails — to answer." Entertainment Weekly. Full Review

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This Is The End
"By the time September arrives, This is the End will probably be in the running for "funniest comedy of the 2013 summer." James Berardinelli, ReelViews. Full Review

"It's disheartening that, despite some half-hearted overtures toward shifting the comedy paradigm, the filmmakers make little attempt to expand their comedic palette." Jesse Cataldo, Slant Magazine. FullReview

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- - - - -Any of these spark your interest? Century 20 Jordan Creek will be playing these as well as the following flicks:

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