Ellen A. Kim

The good news is that Kidman's the best thing in this rather subdued film: sexy, coy and even a bit funny. The bad news is that the movie itself is unlikely to register very long on anyone's radar.

What saves the film is the chemistry between the two leads.

Holmes ably handles the starring role, but the handsome Bratt doesn't have enough material to cement his film career. The supporting cast is strong.

While it lacks the original's streamlined core, the father-son relationship, the sequel gets by on assembled moments of sentiment

Garner's vulnerable, winning performance strikes emotional chords (not to mention nostalgia) in this fantasy comedy.

Schroeder's misstep is trying hard to please his star, whether it be her character's empathetic past or one very fake-looking action climax. His greatest service is keeping her toe-to-toe with her talented co-stars -- and both are the better for it.

The cast, collectively a successful example of the lovable-loser protagonist, shows deft comic timing, particularly Chandrasekhar, who wrings laughs just by his reaction to the locals' racist remarks.

It's an uncluttered, resonant gem that relays its universal points without lectures or confrontations.

Watching a Bruckheimer with natural comics like Smith and Lawrence makes it all go down easily. If you like this type of movie, that is.

The film gets snaps just by attempting the high road, and should be enjoyed by its target audience.