The laughs are still there, Smith and Lawrence do their jobs well but they do lumber more, especially Lawrence but that is the point of the story. Smith understands this and is smart about it. What is also glaring, but more of a nitpick, is that one can tell that much of the film is not shot in Miami.

The beauty of a film like "Malificent: Mistress Of Evil" can be reflected in its idea of perspective versus perception. The way that characters interact shows a dexterity of what is trying to be shown. In talking to Joachim Ronning, the director, it is reflected in ideas of the women involved.

The film here feels right. It is the best made of this trilogy of films mating some of the basic risks that Abrams might have avoided with “Force Awakens” which felt infinitely too safe but also keying into aspects of what fans would like to see.

“Cats” wants to be and about something but it just doesn't know what. Like many of Universal's films in the past it is a big swing that inherently doesn't work save for some inspired moments.

While it takes a couple scenes to get what the dynamic is going to be, it is truly Christian Bale's brilliance that comes together. Unlike certain more sleazy or perhaps characters on a moral precipice, here he plays a character which is utterly charming with a chip on his shoulder and yet wants to be both a provider against his bigger ego.