It aims high and, though it doesn’t quite hit its mark, it still lands on “pretty good.”

The emotions ends up being way too thin to survive being buried under the usual spectacle, fan-service and set-up for future properties.

This definitely feels like a movie that will only become richer and more effecting upon repeat viewings.

Tár is powerful in the way it raises questions for the audience to answer.

Black Adam creates a potentially cool hero/anti-hero dynamic, then squanders it by putting him in a story that could star any superhero.

The moments that work come from the incredible cast, who are stranded in a screenplay that fails as comedy, mystery, history and commentary.

The screenplay is honest, smart and very funny.

If it had stuck the landing that would have made up for at least some of its shortcomings. Alas, it does not.

This is an ambitious, compelling project, a fitting way to explore someone whose career didn’t follow a familiar pattern.

An original, exciting, entertaining horror entry that takes chances is more than welcome. Barbarian certainly delivers in that regard.