New DVDs

Donald Clarkeand Michael Dwyerreview a selection of this weeks new DVD releases.

THE DARK KNIGHT *****
Directed by Christopher Nolan. Starring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Maggie Gyllenhaal 15 cert

In his penultimate screen role, Ledger is hypnotic as The Joker, the menacing, sinister anarchist intent on destabilising Gotham City and unmasking Batman (Bale), who is challenged with moral quandaries that cause him to question his role. Under Nolan's richly imaginative, boldly assured direction, this powerhouse picture sustains its adrenaline- pumping rhythm all the way to a terrific finale.

HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY ****
Directed by Guillermo del Toro. Starring Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Luke Goss, Seth MacFarlane, John Hurt 12 cert

Evil goblins are set to take over the world, but, fear not, Perlman's big red demon is back to save the day. Del Toro, fresh from Pan's Labyrinth, expands the scope of the first film to deliver an ornate, witty and touching superhero movie. An expensive two-disc edition comes with toys, booklets and so forth.

THE FOX AND THE CHILD/ LE RENARD ET L'ENFANT ***
Directed by Luc Jacquet. Starring Bertille Noel-Bruneau G cert

Jacquet follows up March of the Penguinswith a quasi-drama following a French kid's infatuation with a vixen. Filmed in parts of France, Italy and Romania, the flick showcases the most dew-eyed of foxes and the most babbling of brooks. Sadly, Winslet's voiceover is thumpingly unnecessary and the dubbing is dire.

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS **
Directed by Dave Filoni. Voices of Matt Lanter, Ian Abercrombie, Anthony Daniels, Samuel L Jackson, Christopher Lee PG cert

Perfunctory extended trailer for an animated series dealing with events leading up to (do we have this right?) Revenge of the Sith. The bizarre decision to give one character the voice of Truman Capote emphasises how routine the rest of the voice-work and animation has turned out. Still, it moves at a zippy enough pace

ANGUS, THONGS AND PERFECT SNOGGING **
Directed by Gurinder Chadha. Starring Georgia Groome, Eleanor Tomlinson, Liam Hess PG cert

Following four English teens as they fall in and out of love, this adaptation of Louise Rennison's popular tweenie novel is good- hearted and sunny. But the dialogue is so unconvincing and the plot so anaemic that it will, surely, fail to pass muster with even the most sheltered adolescents.