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

50 Shades of Grey
Starring: Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson, and Marcia Gay Harden
About: It begins with an interview. Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) has to replace her roommate in interviewing successful businessman Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan). It is the opening sequence of the film, and it is meant to set the tone for what follows. It does, but not in the way it’s supposed to. “50 Shades of Grey” is the hotly anticipated film that’s been breaking records — both for ticket pre-sales and for people complaining about the film’s story and content. Only one of those probably matters to the studio that made it and to the rabid fans who’ve been waiting for months and years to see it. The film is based on the E.L. James novel of the same name, the one that inspired two sequels and is part of a series that’s sold more than 100 million copies. The film was supposed to titillate, just as the books did. But a funny thing happened on the way to bringing this story to life — it got more than a little boring. Ana is a college senior. She’s young, innocent and unsettled in her future. Christian is an alpha male, successful, sure of himself and singularly focused. Their meeting creates the collision of their worlds. Both are drawn to each other, and soon that evolves into something unexpected. Ana doesn’t have a lot of life experience, and she has even less experience in love. Christian, on the other hand, has very defined tastes. He opens up his world to Ana and asks her to step in. While she’s drawn to the man and the ideal, she’s less convinced that his view of relationships is for her. A game of back-and-forth negotiations ensues. But back to that opening scene. For fans of the book, there is already a familiarity with, and draw to the characters. But for casual viewers, like myself, who never read the book, the opening scene is supposed to set the stage. But it doesn’t. It’s cold, uninteresting and fueled by marginal dialogue. There is a lack of chemistry between the characters that makes you wonder why they’d even want to see each other again, let alone possibly enter a very unconventional, somewhat violent relationship. Some have suggested that, where the book presented a very clear point of view to answer some of those questions, the change of format to a film makes things less clear. Perhaps that’s true. Another problem appears to be the lack of chemistry between Johnson and Dornan. In reading interviews given by the stars, there is an indication they were, at times, uncomfortable with the roles. That may have something to do with their work in the film. Dornan, in particular, seems to approach the role with an icy detachment that doesn’t make him seem like the incredibly appealing romantic option he’s supposed to be. In fact, his performance feels like it hews closer to his incredible work in “The Fall,” where he plays a serial killer. Many fans of the book have chaffed at Dornan in the role, and perhaps he’s not the right fit to bring James’ vision to life. There are too few scenes where the actors appear to be having fun, which makes it hard for the audience to sink into the story. This film adaptation was directed by Samantha Taylor-Johnson (“Nowhere Boy”). She does a fine job of showcasing the scenery, and shooting the films complex love scenes as politely as possible. Make no mistake, “50 Shades of Grey” earns its R-rating, but it’s hardly the most salacious film to open in theaters. The biggest complaints about the film prior to and following its release had little to do with sex scenes and more to do with the central plot. As it is in the book, “50 Shades of Grey” is about a man who likes to engage in dominant-submissive relationships. That includes, at times, physical abuse. And it’s about a woman who’s naïve enough to believe that she can have the man she wants and change him into someone different. Domestic violence and domestic abuse are a problem in this country, and not something to be shown lightly. But, at least in terms of this film, I don’t get that feeling here. Some unsettling things happen in “50 Shades of Grey,” but as portrayed in the film, Ana is hardly a constant victim. In fact, it’s really a story of two damaged people looking for love in all the wrong ways. Ana thinks she can change Christian into what she wants. Christian — who was the product of a tragic childhood and the victim of a sexual predator while an impressionable teen — is broken, as is his view of love, sex and romance. If anything, this story is a tragedy that’s played like a dime-store romance novel. Those who read James’ trilogy will likely be thrilled to see the book come to life, and more forgiving of its cinematic flaws. Those coming to the story for the first time in cinemas will likely be wondering what all the fuss is about.
Rating: R for strong sexual content including dialogue, some unusual behavior and graphic nudity and for language. Enter with caution.
Verdict: Two stars out of four.

Kingsman: The Secret Service

Starring: Colin Firth, Michael Caine, Mark Strong, Samuel L. Jackson, and Taron Egerton

About: Based on the comic book series, "Kingsman" is a at once a tribute to and send up of James Bond stories. It's about a team of secret agents — ones based in London but owing fidelity to no single nation — who try to stop a nefarious villain from purging the globe to end global warming. It's a fascinating and well made action comedy with a good cast. Matthew Vaughn — who previously directed "Layer Cake" and "X-Men: First Class" — co-wrote the screenplay and directed the film. He brings a style to the action and to the comedy. All the actors seem to be having fun with their roles, and this is a film that is wildly entertaining without taking itself too seriously. Firth is great in the lead role as a veteran agent who recruits the son of a deceased colleague (Egerton) to join this secret spy group. Strong and Caine play senior members of the organization, while Jackson does a great job as the villain. There is plenty to like about this film. The action sequences are well done, the story moves along well, and there are plenty of fun supporting actors and cameos, including Mark Hamill. Vaughn keeps the action moving at a good clip and the film, though violent, isn't over-the-top. It wouldn't be hard to see this developing into a potential franchise.

Rating: R for sequences of strong violence, language and some sexual content.

Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Friday, February 20 — "McFarland, USA," "The DUFF," "Hot Tub Time Machine 2"

Friday, February 27 — "The Lazarus Effect," "Focus"