Surprising Vin Diesel vehicle: first, for the initial switcheroo from supernatural action-adventure to supernatural whodunit; second, for a sturdily built storyline; third, for a somewhat lively and lighthearted turn from its often somnolent star. (Those widened, puppy-dog eyes!) Sadly, the more expected elements do much to dull the pleasure of our immortal hero's quest to unravel his past in an effort to save our future. To wit: thudding dialogue ("Just hold on kid; I promise I'll find who did this and break the curse."); tiresome, even pointless special effects; and a villainess who talks without saying much of anything. (Couldn't they have just made her wicked and left it at that?) It's a B-movie, but it's not a bad B-movie. Michael Caine classes up the joint as the Witch-hunter's overseer, and Rose Leslie does her best with the role of helpful sidekick. Directed by Breck Eisner (The Crazies). (2015) — Matthew Lickona
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