‘COWBOYS & ALIENS’

★★ 1⁄2 (out of four)

I always appreciate it when a film makes an effort to show me something I haven’t seen before, and I’m willing to forgive a great many oversights in exchange for that spark of creativity. “Cowboys & Aliens” (based on the comic book by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, but credited to no less than eight screenwriters) offers up an intriguing blend of the Western, adventure and science-fiction genres, and that alone is a novel enough concept to pique my interest. The film has a lot of fun with the madcap mixup and even includes several blink-and-you’ll-miss-them nods to such genre staples as “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “The Searchers,” and I can honestly say that I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Perhaps I’m being too lenient, but the fact that it’s an extremely flawed film almost — almost — takes a backseat to the bold originality of it central conceit.

‘HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HOLLOWS: PART 2’

★★★ 1⁄2 (out of four)

There’s something to be said for a book franchise that has almost single-handedly instilled a love of reading into a whole generation of youths, and a movie franchise that has brought genuine joy to hundreds of millions of people. In the end, the positive residual effects of Pottermania easily trump the cynicism and greed that went into its creation. And despite its status as a studio product, I defy any old-fashioned, entertainment-seeking moviegoer to see “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” and come away dissatisfied.

‘HORRIBLE BOSSES’

★★★ 1/2 (out of four)

“Horrible Bosses” is a hard-R comedy filled with more than its share of boundary-pushing humor and, admittedly, lapses in logic and plausibility. It is not concerned with filmic issues like editing and cinematography. It has but two goals: to engage you with its characters and their plight, and to make you laugh. That it succeeds so thoroughly on both counts leaves one no choice but to declare it some kind of mini-masterpiece of comic timing and momentum. Plenty of these sort of movies fulfill their roles and deliver the goods — “The Hangover, Part II,” “Bridesmaids” and (to a slightly lesser extent) “Hall Pass” are recent examples. But what sets “Horrible Bosses” apart is its sheer, delirious energy. There is not a dull moment to be had here, and it’s a perfect example of how top-tier direction, writing and performance can elevate even the most base concept to the level of what can only be described as art.

‘CARS 2’

★★★

Until now, Pixar was never in the sequel business — save for the “Toy Story” films, which proved that with the right cast and crew, animated follow-ups could be much more than a cash cow. But with the release of “Cars 2,” and announced sequels to “Monsters, Inc.” and “The Incredibles” (with a fourth “Toy Story” entry rumored), it is clear that the studio is now embracing the idea with gusto. This decision has caused a fair amount of controversy, as Pixar has always been rightly viewed as a haven for creativity and originality — words that aren’t exactly synonymous with “sequel.”