CONAN THE BARBARIAN 3D

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Brutality for brutality's sake is the fishy theme for this primeval fantasy movie snooze fest. Charmless television actor Jason Momoa (TV's "Game of Thrones") transitions to the big screen with a resounding thud as the muscle-bound Conan, whose reason for existence rests on avenging his warlord dad Corin's murder. It’s not that Conan wasn’t a bloodthirsty little badass to begin with.

Witchcraft husband Khalar Zym (Stephen Lang) is the power-hungry megalomaniac responsible for devising Corin's death by a bucket of hot lava held by a teenaged Conan (Leo Howard).

Khalar's would-be incestuous daughter Marique (Rose McGowan) brings an air of sadistic charm whenever she appears with her steel-claw finger glove that enables her to extract drops of blood from the soft necks of women.

The witch Marique can tell from the taste of a maiden's blood whether or not they are "pure." This sanguine plot additive plays into Khalar's ability to activate an ancient mask that will enable him to rule the world. Yawn.

Director Marcus Nispel exhibits none of the humor or suspense he built in his updates of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" or "Friday the Thirteenth." For all its unrelenting violence it’s surprising how flat the movie is. Like an opened bottle of red wine that's been left out for a few days, this is not a movie you can enjoy.

Rated R. 112 mins.

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

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As predicted Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy are outstanding in their respective roles as young versions of Erik Lensherr and Charles Xavier, respectively. What isn't so predictable is what an impressive job of dynamic storytelling the filmmakers execute for this prequel storyline to Marvel's celebrated "X-Men" comics.

With more than a tad of an anti-authoritarian, anti-militaristic messages, director/co-screenwriter and Matthew Vaughn juggles numerous characters, emotionally palpable subplots, and fascinating visual realities like Robert Altman on steroids.

The story moves from '40s era World War II to the Cold War of the '60s. Kevin Bacon chews some delightful scenery speaking German as Sebastian Schmidt (AKA Sebastian Shaw), a Josef Mengele inspired Nazi doctor who physically and mentally abuses the boyhood Erik Lensherr to a horrific degree.

Erik can move metal with his mind. This is a big deal. Adult Erik is on a revenge mission to hunt down and kill Dr. Shaw. Erik is pretty much a badass.

Cut to the mutant brother/sister duo of Charles Xavier and Raven (magnificently played by Jennifer Lawrence). Raven is a lusty blue-skinned shape-shifter. Charles is on his way to being a professor of microbiology. He leads with in intellect and ego. She leads with her lips. He is a "telepath" who can read minds with an interactive twist. She can instantly alter he appearance to look like anyone. A CIA investigation into Dr. Shaw's diabolical plans involving nukes brings the existence of mutants to the Government's attention.

An assemble-the-team plotline makes way for a small team of attention-grabbing mutant characters that include the energy-throwing Havok (Lucas Till), sound-blaster Banshee (Caleb Landry Jones), adapt-to-survive Darwin (Edi Gathegi), a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde-inspired Beast (Nicholas Hoult), and Angel (Zoë Kravitz) a winged fire-spitter. "X-Men: First Class" is a meaty comic book spectacle movie you can sink your teeth in. John Mathieson's cinematography is gorgeous. The editing team of Eddie Hamilton and Lee Smith keep the action ticking like a Swiss clock.

Rated PG-13. 130 mins.

THOR

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Chris Hemsworth plays Thor the God of Thunder, but it seems more like he's playing Heath Ledger playing the title character in Kenneth Branagh's visually stunning but narratively confined movie. Blame it on his Aussie accent. Marvel comics once again stubs its toe on a would-be summer blockbuster behind such slip-ups as "Howard the Duck, ""Daredevil," and "Hulk." As a popcorn movie for the masses, "Thor" is written with as little thematic edge as possible.

The Earthbound aspect of the story might as well be set in 1955 as in 2011. Natalie Portman is hardly credible as Jane Foster, a storm research scientist who travels around in a crash truck with her co-workers Stellan Skarsgård and Kat Dennings.

In the far reaches of outer space are where things get interesting. Although the 3-D effects are an afterthought, the production design for Thor's Kingdom of Asgard is fantastic. This is one great looking film. Thor's wily brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is a little too pleased to see Thor exiled from their kingdom by their father King Odin (solemnly played by Anthony Hopkins) after Thor leads an attack against their rivals, the Frost Giants. Said giants have about as much humanity and charm as a rattle snake, but in comic book land we must want our villains painted with a black brush.

For all of its limitations "Thor" entertains. Branagh balances the story's bi-polar settings well. As the director's Shakespearean lineage would forecast, every line of dialogue comes through loud and clear. Ten-year-olds will be blown away by "Thor." For the rest of us, it's a visually thrilling joyride with not much story to back it up.

Rated PG-13. 115 mins.