The Three Investigators in the Secret of Skeleton Island (2007)

Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw and Bob Andrews. If you recognise those names it'll likely stir similar feelings in you as it does in me. Unfortunately, in my case, the first film came twenty-five years too late and relying on nostalgia to smooth over flaws only works for so long.
It's a standard adventure story with some sleuthing elements, but there’s no real sense of danger or immediacy, even when up against the clock, and the music makes everything feel too comical.
Casting is partially successful. JJ is good; he’s a little slimmer than he ought to be but he’s the best actor of the trio and carries the film from beginning to end. Pete and Bob mostly just tag along behind.
Why they didn't start with the first book in the series is the biggest mystery.

2½ colour codes out of 5

The Bank Job (2008)

No prizes for guessing what TBJ's about. The Stath heads up a British crime film that appears to have been made in the 70’s but also manages to feel completely modern. With so much taupe and camel tones on display the entire cast could've just stepped off the set of The Sweeney. It’s based on true events about a cover-up involving the British aristocracy and, obviously, a bank job. It's a quality film that slipped under many people's radar.

3½ artful dodgers out of 5