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Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week.

Arthur

Starring: Russell Brand, Jennifer Garner, Helen Mirren, Luis Guzman, and Greta Gerwig

Synopsis: This is a re-make of the 1981 film of the same name starring Dudley Moore. In this re-make, there are plenty of modern pop culture references, some tweaks to the principle characters and plenty of scenes celebrating the life of excess. The supporting performers do fairly well, with Mirren adding a touch of class, Garner finding her inner career-driven crazy girl, and Gerwig as the sweet optimist. The story has a few laughs, a few endearing moments, and even a few emotional moments. But, ultimately, how much you enjoy this film will come down to how you feel about Brand in the lead role. The whole production is built around Brand, and you either take to his comedic styling or you won't. The whole seems to rest on how he carries the wild scenes of the film. I found it entertaining and somewhat endearing and actually liked the film more than many critics. It's not great, but it's entertaining.

Rating: PG-13 for alcohol use throughout, sexual content, language and some drug references.

Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Hanna

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, and Cate Blanchett

Synopsis: I like Joe Wright as a filmmaker. His last three feature films — "Pride and Prejudice," "Atonement," and "The Soloist" — were all fantastic films with some fantastic performances. They were personal, emotional stories that drew you in and kept your attention. This film, in that sense, is a great departure. It feels like a creepy, weird action film full of characters that aren't likeable or understandable. In other words, it kind of strips down all the elements I liked from Wright's previous work. Plus, it seems like the make-up department went out of their way to make Ronan and Blanchett look pale. I joked an alternate title for this film could be "When Albinos Attack." The action sequences are all right, but nothing special. The performances seem fine, but the characters feel under developed. Then, abruptly it ends. It's a weird film. Clearly there was some goal or vision for the material, but I felt like it missed the mark. There are some elements there, but the complete picture never comes into focus.

Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sexual material and language.

Verdict: Two stars out of four

Soul Surfer

Starring: AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, Carrie Underwood, and Kevin Sorbo

Synopsis: "Soul Surfer" is based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, an exceptional young surfer who lost her left arm in a shark attack. (For more on the real life story and Hamilton's example of faith, see Monday's post "Soul Surfer"). The film captures a couple days leading up to the incident, the incident itself, and Hamilton's efforts to get back into competition. Robb plays Hamilton and does a good job carrying the narrative. Veteran actors Hunt and Quaid play her parents, adding a note of gravitas to a production that feels like it was a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie that they decided to release in theaters. Of course, it's the story that gives "Soul Surfer" its appeal. Hamilton's struggle to figure out how to adjust to her circumstances becomes more engrossing because of her deep, personal faith. Underwood plays Sarah, Hamilton's youth minister, who helps guide her toward the idea that there is a greater plan. The film sort of finds its voice a bit when Hamilton heads to Thailand on a mission trip to an area ravaged by a Tsunami and, while there, puts her own struggles into perspective. The film offers a positive, faith-based message without getting too preachy. Though some might call it cheesy, the film is compelling in its own way.

Rating: PG for an intense accident sequence and some thematic material.

Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Source Code

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Jeffrey Wright, and Vera Farmiga

Synopsis: "Source Code" is an interesting blend of crime drama, action film, and science fiction. The premise is that a CIA researcher (Wright) has developed the technology to send the consciousness of a soldier, Capt. Colter Stevens (Gyllenhaal) into the body of another person for the last eight minutes of his life. In that eight minutes, Stevens has to figure out who bombed this commuter train, where they're going, and why they're doing it. Along the way Stevens bonds with his handler, Capt. Goodwin (Farmiga), and a fellow passenger, Christina (Monaghan). The action works well, though there are many repeated sequences because of the eight minute repeating loop, director Duncan Jones doesn't go over-the-top with that gimmick. The narrative and the characters keep you hooked. Gyllenhaal does a great job in the lead role, Farmiga adds a tough of pathos in her role, and Wright makes for a decent ultra-focused scientist. The romantic element actually comes together nicely too, with Monaghan delivering a nice performance as Christina. Overall this is an enjoyable, engrossing drama.

Rating: PG-13 for some violence including disturbing images, and for language.

Verdict: Three stars out of four

Your Highness

Starring: James Franco, Natalie Portman, Danny McBride, Zooey Deschanel, and Justin Theroux

Synopsis: This is a disappointing film. It boasts a great cast, and has all the elements for potential success, but it just doesn't put them together in a compelling way. The script — written by McBride and Ben Best — seems to think vulgarity is a suitable substitute for humor. Having characters in a period piece setting using coarse, modern language is amusing at first, but since it seems to be the go-to gag in the film, it doesn't totally work. Best, McBride and director David Gordon Green have collaborated on "Eastbound and Down," a half-hour comedy for HBO. This film feels like a longer version of that plopped into the middle ages. Some of the gags work, some don't. There seems to be little point to the story, and I think the lack of depth in the material wastes a talented cast. This isn't a terrible film, but it is disappointing from the standpoint that it doesn't achieve what it could have.

Rating: R for strong crude and sexual content, pervasive language, nudity, violence and some drug use.

Verdict: Two stars out of four.