HHH "THE AVENGERS" (PG-13) This tale of super heroes teaming up against invading evil works because the action's cool, the cast is solid and Robert Downey Jr. is there to liven things up with funny quips whenever the plot sags. The final battle is amazing. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and a mild drug reference. 140 min. [MC, PV, RA]

HH "DARK SHADOWS" (PG-13) Although Johnny Depp manages to make his moments as vampire Barnabas Collins interesting on screen, the film stumbles trying to blend comedy and horror, not working as either. Rated PG-13 for comic horror violence, sexual content, some drug use, language and smoking. 112 min. [RF]

HHH "THE HUNGER GAMES" (PG-13) Those who have read the book will enjoy this film more than those who have not. The film adequately tracks the action in the popular young-adult novel, but it helps to know the back story to appreciate what's going on. Not for youngsters. Rated PG-13 for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images--all involving teens. 142 min. [RF]

HHH "MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED" (PG) This is family-friendly fun with our zoo escapees traveling through Europe as they try to get back to the Big Apple. The action's fun and there's a neat "bad guy," a French animal control officer with a nifty tranquillizer pistol. Rated PG for mild action, rude humor. 85 min. [MC, RA, RF]

HH "MEN IN BLACK III" (PG-13) Though a newcomer to the series--Josh Brolin--adds some energy, veteran MIBs Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith seem a bit bored with a story that resorts to time travel to introduce Brolin as a young Agent K. Still, it has some fun special effects moments. Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, brief suggestive content. 104 min. [RA, RF]

HH "PROMETHEUS" (R) Borrowing heavily from the "Alien" films, this sci-fi offering overwhelms our earthbound senses after an explorer's discovery sends a team to a far corner of the galaxy in search of intelligent life. It's a shame the characters aren't quite as strong and the story has plot holes you could drive a planetary rover through. Rated R for sci-fi violence including some intense images, and language. 124 min. [MC, PV, RA]

HH "SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN" (PG-13) This big-budget production gets the action, look and sweep of a "Lord of the Rings"-style telling of Snow White just right. It's a shame that it's so somber, though Chris Hemsworth does add a nice upbeat energy playing the huntsman. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, brief sensuality. 127 min. [MC, PV, RA]